New DGBC partner Sustainix AI aims to accelerate sustainability in real estate with AI
Making the built environment more sustainable requires not only ambition, but above all better decision-making. According to Dragos Avram, founder of Sustainix AI, that is precisely where the problem lies: there is plenty of data, but converting it into concrete investments remains difficult. With his young company, he aims to bridge that gap.
Avram grew up in Romania and moved to the Netherlands seven years ago. After studying hospitality and climate and environmental policy, he worked on sustainability at real estate and hotel organisations, ranging from food waste to energy efficiency and ESG reporting. It was precisely there that he saw how complex the sector is. "In hotels, you have operators, real estate investors, and managers with totally different strategies. I saw the full spectrum of how organisations deal with sustainability, but also the limits of what you can change internally."
That is why he founded Sustainix AI more than two years ago. Initially, the company helped organisations with European regulations such as CSRD and the EU Taxonomy. When regulations changed and many medium-sized companies fell outside the scope, the company had to shift gears. For Avram, it was a sign to return to the basics: how can we improve a building?
AI as a tool for certification
Today, Sustainix develops AI software that automates sustainability analyses in real estate. The system analyses documentation, structures data, and supports advisors with certification, with a key focus on BREEAM-NL.
"Property owners have an enormous amount of data, but it is scattered across documents. We extract the information, clean it up, and assist with pre-assessments and evidence for certification." According to Avram, it is not about technology for its own sake. "There is a lot of buzz around AI. We are not trying to put a green veneer over tech, but to solve real problems that I have personally seen in organisations. We want to create a better bridge between sustainability insights, certification, and investment decisions. That is where the real acceleration lies."
The software even takes practical constraints into account. Avram: "You can think of monumental buildings where external insulation is not allowed, or solar panels that must not be visible from the street."
Joining the DGBC network
Avram wanted to connect Sustainix AI with DGBC because of the bigger picture. "DGBC is more than BREEAM and also more than the network. You meet investors, consultants, and startups. That way, you understand how the ecosystem really works."
He envisions a role for his company primarily as an innovator within the sector. "We bring startup energy with an international perspective. At the same time, we need the experience of the sector. Together, we can provide the necessary acceleration."
A renovation wave is necessary
And that acceleration is desperately needed. According to Avram, approximately 75% of European buildings are inefficient, while the pace of renovation is too slow. "Everyone knows that buildings need to improve, but it is always about business models. If you convince investors faster with clear data and certification, that renovation gets underway."
He has therefore set a clear goal for Sustainix AI: scaling up in Europe and delivering demonstrable impact. "I hope that we can eventually show how much water and CO₂ we have truly saved with our work. Ultimately, it is not about reports, but about better buildings. That is what we help with."
About Sustainix AI
Sustainix AI is redefining how real estate approaches sustainability and value creation. The company automates and enhances the sustainability certification and improvement process for real estate portfolios, combining advanced AI agents with senior advisory in the loop. Its platform analyses building documentation, identifies gaps against leading frameworks such as BREEAM and other sustainability standards, and translates findings into actionable, investment-ready roadmaps.
This article is an English adaptation of the original interview published by the Dutch Green Building Council. Read the Dutch original on dgbc.nl.