At WAV Group and RETechnology.com, we have the privilege of witnessing the very best that real estate innovation has to offer. From emerging startups to transformative industry leaders, certain individuals stand out not just because they’ve built something new, but because they’ve solved problems that matter. That’s exactly what happened at the 2025 iOi Innovators of the Year Awards, presented last week during the REALTORS® Legislative Meetings in Washington, D.C.

Huge congratulations to this year’s honorees: Gene Eidelman, Terrence Nickelson, and Katherine Aronsson. These three forward-thinkers are showing us what it looks like when innovation meets intention and execution. 

The iOi (Innovation, Opportunity & Investment) Summit and community has become a vital year-round engine for surfacing cutting-edge thinking in our space. As one of the attendees of the very first iOi in San Francisco many years ago, it’s exciting to see how far the organization has come!

Let’s take a moment to applaud the powerful work of this year’s winners.

Gene Eidelman – Building a More Affordable, Sustainable Future

Gene Eidelman, co-founder of Azure Printed Homes, is on a mission to tackle the housing shortage while also addressing the massive waste problem in traditional construction. Traditional construction is one of the largest contributors to global warming. 

Azure’s approach uses recycled materials and 3D printing to deliver beautiful, efficient, and affordable homes. With construction times up to 70% faster and costs 30% lower, Gene is proving that affordability and sustainability can and should go hand in hand.

He’s also proving that innovation isn’t about tech for tech’s sake. It’s about impact. Since launching in 2019, Azure has built over 100 homes and generated $35 million in preorders. But what stands out most is Gene’s heart: “Housing is more than shelter…it’s dignity, stability, and opportunity,” he says. It is exciting to see this technology that has been established in developing countries make its way to North America. 

Terrence Nickelson – Keeping Real Estate Deals on Track and On Time

Anyone in real estate knows: deals fall apart. But few have tackled this frustrating, costly reality as boldly as Terrence Nickelson, founder of Goby Homes.

Terrence saw the gaps firsthand, especially noting how a lack of transparency and communication can stall or derail a deal. In response, he created an AI-powered platform that unifies everyone involved in a transaction: agents, buyers, sellers, lenders, and beyond. Goby Homes doesn’t just manage workflow. It anticipates problems and smooths them out before they become deal-breakers.

Even more powerful? Terrence is using this technology to drive equity in real estate. Goby Homes was honored with a National Fair Housing Alliance Innovation Impact Award for its work in reducing bias and promoting fairness. 

Katherine Aronsson – Empowering Agents with Smart, Human-Centered AI

Katherine Aronsson, co-founder of Kevin AI and an agent with Pinnacle Realty Advisors, is reimagining lead generation, and giving agents the superpowers they need to grow faster and more authentically.

Kevin AI goes far beyond surface-level prospecting. It uses machine learning and property signals to uncover real opportunities—turning cold contacts into warm, insightful conversations. The platform also automates personalized outreach, monitors neighborhood activity, and even delivers insights via chat, voice, email, or text.

But Katherine’s focus isn’t automation for efficiency’s sake. It’s about giving agents time and space to do what they do best: build relationships. “Real estate is about people,” she says. “Kevin AI helps agents connect faster and more meaningfully.”

Katherine, your work bridges the best of tech and the best of humanity. Your leadership is exactly what this industry needs right now.

Congrats again to all three of these talented and inspiring winners!