What happens when a software engineer turned entrepreneur becomes one of the sharpest venture capitalists in PropTech? In this episode, we sit down with Raya Yunakova to explore how she’s helping shape the future of buildings, cities, and startups—one bold founder at a time.
From coding in Sofia to scaling EdTech as a broke college founder, then driving innovation at Microsoft, Raya Yunakova has never followed a linear path. Today, she’s a principal investor at LAUNCHub Ventures, where she backs high-potential startups in AI, PropTech, and SaaS across Europe. With roots in technical evangelism and a track record of mentoring bold founders, Raya brings a rare blend of deep tech understanding, investor intuition, and empathy for builders.
In this episode of DT Vector, Raya:
Unveils the layers of PropTech’s evolution from digitizing floor plans to automating construction and managing carbon emissions in buildings. She reveals why this space is far more than real estate listings—it’s about reimagining how we build and live.
Decodes the complexity of early-stage investing—how funds like LAUNCHub evaluate founders, why traction isn’t always the answer, and what red flags investors never ignore.
Builds clarity around what it really takes to raise capital in Central and Eastern Europe—what founders can control, what they often misunderstand, and why thinking globally from day one is no longer optional.
3 Key Ideas of the Episode — for Professionals
PropTech Is More Than Listings: It’s Infrastructure Innovation
Raya Yunakova expands the definition of PropTech—from simple digital listings to technologies that digitize space, automate construction, track energy, and transform how we interact with buildings.
The Investment Game Is About Insight, Not Just Capital
Through her experience reviewing over 10,000 startups, Raya outlines the nuanced decision-making behind early-stage investments: team fit, market timing, scalability, and why asking for money too early often signals deeper problems.
Building Globally from Local Markets Is Hard—But Necessary
Especially in Central and Eastern Europe, founders must think global from day one. Yet in PropTech, which requires local physical presence, this creates real friction. Raya unpacks this paradox and shares how top founders navigate it.
Why This Episode Matters — in 2025 and Beyond
AI is no longer optional in real estate.
From design automation to robots in hospitality, AI and machine learning are already embedded in how we build, manage, and adapt physical spaces. Understanding these shifts is essential for professionals across real estate, architecture, and construction.
Startup ecosystems in Central & Eastern Europe are maturing.
Funding pipelines are solidifying, but gaps (especially in early angel rounds and Series A/B stages) remain. Professionals working in innovation or policy need to understand where support is missing and how to fill it.
The rules of venture capital are evolving.
This episode demystifies how decisions are made inside funds, what founders often misunderstand, and why not every “good” business is investable by VC standards.
DT Vector Dictionary
- Venture Capital (VC) – A form of private equity financing where professional investors (VCs) provide capital to high-growth startups in exchange for equity (ownership). VCs usually look for businesses that can grow rapidly and deliver high returns.
- Angel Investor – An individual (not a fund) who invests their own money at a very early stage in a startup—often when the idea is still forming. Angels usually contribute smaller amounts than VCs but are critical in a founder’s early journey.
- Seed Round – The first official round of external funding. It typically comes after initial idea validation or product development and helps founders build out their team or go to market.
- Series A Round – A more substantial investment round than seed. Companies raising a Series A have shown early traction and are looking to scale their product, expand operations, or grow market share.
- Series B Round – The next level of funding, often used to expand to new markets, grow aggressively, or invest in sales and marketing infrastructure. Investors here expect clear metrics and a working business model.