What happened

Three people were honored as 2025 “Innovators of the Year” by the iOi initiative within NAR. These awards recognize individuals who are using technology and fresh ideas to move real estate forward.


Who & Why

  • Gene Eidelman (co-founder of Azure Printed Homes): He’s using 3D-printing and recycled materials to build homes faster, cheaper and with less waste. He wants to address both the housing shortage and construction inefficiencies.
  • Terrence Nickelson (founder & CEO of Goby Homes): He built a tech platform that brings everyone in a real-estate transaction (agents, clients, lenders) into one secure space. The aim: fewer deal collapses, smoother closings.
  • Katherine Aronsson (co-founder of Kevin AI): She uses artificial intelligence to help agents with lead generation and prioritization—going beyond just contact lists to understand which homeowners might be ready to sell.

Why it matters

  • These innovators show how tech can solve real problems in real estate—housing shortage, transaction delays, inefficient lead-work.
  • The award emphasises that innovation isn’t just about having new tools—it’s about improving how things are done.
  • The iOi initiative is moving toward being a year-round community for innovation and tech in real estate, not just a one-time event.

Bottom line

Real estate is changing. The people recognised here aren’t just tweaking current methods—they’re rethinking how real estate gets done. Whether it’s how homes are built, deals get processed, or leads get handled, their work points toward a more efficient, equitable and tech-enabled future.

Source: REALTOR® Magazine
“Visionaries: 3 Tech Trailblazers Honored as iOi Innovators of the Year”
National Association of REALTORS®