For a decade, Restb.ai has led the way in bringing next-generation AI to real estate, helping companies and professionals work smarter, faster, and more efficiently. From humble beginnings in a university classroom to emerging as a global leader in AI and computer vision for real estate, it’s a story of two friends, a bold vision, and a journey driven by determination and innovation.

1. The Beginning: Visionaries Unite (2010-2015)

Xavi Hernando and Angel Esteban met as computer science students at the Universitat of Barcelona where they discovered a shared curiosity and a dream: to create something entirely disruptive with AI.

“While searching for a home for my own family, I saw firsthand how fragmented the real estate market was. That experience inspired us to create technology that makes property data smarter and more accessible,” says Angel.

“Building something that didn’t exist yet was thrilling. That excitement drove us to develop the technology that powers Restb.ai,” added Xavi.

The early days were not easy. Computing power was limited. Progress was slow. Every step forward required creative problem-solving. Xavi sharpened his analytical skills at the high-stakes poker table, while Angel built expertise in software and AI development at Deloitte. Together, they laid the foundation for a company defined by innovation and resilience.

2. Early Recognition & Growth (2016): TechCrunch Stage and Wallapop’s Trust

By 2016, the timing was right. With computing power becoming more accessible, Restb.ai narrowed its focus to AI solutions that could extract data directly from property photos.

That same year, the company made its debut on the global stage at TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco, one of the world’s leading startup competitions. The experience opened doors to investors, partnerships, and a wider audience, earning Restb.ai a feature on TechCrunch’s website.

Soon after, Restb.ai signed its first major clients, including Wallapop, the leading second-hand marketplace in Europe, marking the start of its commercial journey.

3. Fueling Growth (2017): €1.2M Seed Round, Idealista Onboard and Networking with RESO & NAR

With its technology gaining recognition, Restb.ai continued to attract major clients, including Idealista, often described as the Zillow of Spain, one of Europe’s largest real estate portals.

The company would close a €1.2M seed round, backed by five Spanish venture capital firms and one U.S. investor. This support fueled growth and established Restb.ai as a rising force in real estate technology.

Industry recognition soon followed. Restb.ai began building relationships with RESO (Real Estate Standards Organization) and NAR (National Association of Realtors), marking its entry into the inner circle of real estate innovation.

4. Global Validation & Team Expansion (2018): €1.7M Horizon Grant and 20+ Team Members

2018 was a breakthrough year. Out of more than 1,600 applicants, the European Commission awarded Restb.ai a highly competitive Horizon 2020 grant of €1.7M, placing the company among just 60 winners across Europe.

The team grew quickly to 20+ people, all united by a clear mission: to transform how property images and data support the real estate industry. This was the year Restb.ai evolved from a promising startup to an internationally recognized company.

5. Breaking Into the U.S. MLS Market (2019-2022)

April 2019 marked a turning point. Restb.ai entered the U.S. MLS market when MRED, one of the nation’s largest MLSs, became the first to deploy its AI services. Soon after, Cotality (CoreLogic) became one of the first vendors to adopt the technology. In the following years, MLSs such as FMLS, TRREB and BridgeMLS adopted the technology, followed by vendors like Rapattoni and ICE (Black Knight).

By embedding AI-powered tools directly into MLS workflows, Restb.ai began helping thousands of agents work more efficiently. By 2020, the company’s presence in the MLS space expanded rapidly, accelerating revenue and cementing its reputation as a trusted AI partner for the real estate industry.

6. Expanding to Valuation & Appraisal (2022- 2023): Partnerships that accelerated innovation

As demand for AI-driven insights grew, Restb.ai expanded into appraisal and valuation, partnering with Bradford Technologies, Stewart Valuation Intelligence, ACI, ClearValue Consulting, HomeVision, AssetVal, and TrueFootage.

The goal was simple: speed up appraisals, reduce time spent on manual processes, and make appraisal reviews smarter, advancing innovation and generating measurable impact.

7. First Restb.ai cornhole at Valuation Expo (2023)

In 2023, Restb.ai became a key sponsor of Valuation Expo, one of the most influential events in the appraisal and valuation industry. With record attendance, packed sessions, and lively discussions on compliance, appraisal modernization, and AI tools.

Restb.ai also introduces its first cornhole tournament, now a popular annual tradition. Eagerly anticipated each year, it reflects connection, community, and Restb.ai’s growing presence in the valuation world.

8. Industry Leadership & Global Impact (2024-2025): Inman, HousingWire & RISMedia Honors

Restb.ai’s impact on real estate technology earned the Inman Innovator Award for Top Technology, celebrating the team’s vision and dedication to bringing AI, machine learning, and computer vision to the industry.

Reflecting on the honor, Xavi Hernando noted, “Restb.ai winning what is widely recognized as real estate’s top tech honor is a validation that AI, machine learning and computer vision are fast becoming real estate’s most coveted technology.”

In 2025, Restb.ai was named a Housing Wire Tech 100 Mortgage Winner for driving innovation in the mortgage sector. That same year, several team members were recognized as RISMedia 2025 Newsmakers: Tony Pistilli as a Trailblazer, Nathan Brannen as a Futurist, and Dominik Pogorzelski as an Achiever. Xavi Hernando Bonvehi was also named an Inman Power Player in both 2024 and 2025.

9. AI-Powered Studies & Market Insights (2024)

Restb.ai continues to show what AI can reveal. Through Special Reports and White Papers, the company transforms vast amounts of property and appraisal data into clear, actionable insights. The Special Report on Kitchens analyzed over 250 million property photos, uncovering design trends, cabinet colors, and geographic patterns.

Building on this work, Restb.ai launched WeeklyDataDrop, a series of snapshots highlighting trends across entire markets. From architectural styles and property features to state rankings and emerging opportunities, it delivers insights professionals can act on, offering a broader view of the real estate and appraisal landscape.

10. Expanded MLS reach: Serving 1,000,000+ agents

After expanding AI features across additional MLSs, including All Jersey MLS, MARIS, and MetroList, Restb.ai now serves more than 1,000,000 agents and brokers across North America. Agents benefit from better listings, simpler compliance, and improved property search experiences. Valuation professionals benefit from more accurate and timely property data.

As Angel Esteban observed, “Seeing how far we’ve come, from a university project to a global leader impacting hundreds of thousands of agents, it’s humbling, and it motivates us to keep innovating.”

What’s next? Driving Innovation Across Real Estate

Restb.ai isn’t just about AI, it’s about transforming the way the real estate industry works. From MLSs to lenders, appraisers to investors, the company’s solutions help professionals save time, reduce errors, and make smarter decisions.

Powering everything from smarter property searches to automated valuations, compliance, and beyond, Restb.ai equips every corner of the real estate industry with AI-driven solutions, removing friction, increasing accuracy, and accelerating decisions across the ecosystem.

And the journey continues. With every deployment, every new insight, and every challenge solved, Restb.ai pushes the boundaries of what AI can achieve in real estate. 

Thank you to our team, partners, clients, and friends who have been part of this incredible story! 

Ready to supercharge your AI strategy?

Contact Restb.ai today to see AI in action.

For Restb.ai-related media inquiries, please contact:

Maya Makarem at maya@restb.ai or

contact@restb.ai or

Kevin Hawkins at 1-206-866-1220 or

kevin@wavgroup.com.