Three days in Las Vegas at Blueprint 2025 confirmed what we suspected: the built world isn't just thinking about digital transformation anymore, it's actively executing it. From conversations with 100+ construction executives to proptech demos that showcased genuine innovation, the conference revealed an industry moving faster toward integrated technology solutions than many realize.

The "third act" challenge is universal

One phrase kept surfacing in conversations: "We're looking for our third act." Construction companies excel at their core services and have identified secondary revenue streams, but the quest for that next major growth driver is driving serious strategic planning.

This pattern emerged across every segment we spoke with. General contractors are exploring technology services for their clients. Real estate firms are expanding beyond transactions into ongoing property services. Property management companies are investigating new ways to serve tenants beyond basic maintenance.

Particularly noteworthy was how property managers and operators are focused on increasing their net operating income (NOI) per door. Rather than simply raising rent, they're introducing value-added benefits for customers that create new ancillary revenue streams, improving profitability while enhancing tenant satisfaction.

What struck us was how often these third-act aspirations pointed toward customer experience enhancements that naturally incorporate insurance and protection services, even when executives didn't initially frame it that way.

Technology integration is becoming "table stakes"

The most successful built world companies at Blueprint weren't debating whether to adopt technology, they were comparing implementation strategies. The conversation has shifted from "Should we digitize?" to "How do we digitize without disrupting what already works?"

What was particularly striking was the universal focus on AI integration. Construction firms, property management companies, and property technology companies are all looking to incorporate AI into their business operations. The emphasis on automating different parts of the traditional real estate lifecycle was unmistakable, and it's clear that companies adopting AI technology will have significant competitive advantages in the coming years.

Real estate has historically relied on legacy systems that simply got the job done, but Blueprint attendees are actively working to uproot these outdated systems in favor of modern, digital-first technology that can transform their business operations.

This mindset creates opportunities for embedded solutions that enhance rather than replace existing processes. Construction companies want project management tools that incorporate risk management. Real estate firms want transaction platforms that include comprehensive property protection. Property managers want tenant portals that offer seamless insurance enrollment.

The embedded approach resonates because it builds on established customer relationships rather than creating new friction points.

Customer experience expectations are driving innovation

Perhaps the most significant insight was how customer expectations are pushing built world companies toward comprehensive service delivery. The focus on creating completely digital experiences was universal across all segments we observed. Whether serving renters, property management companies, or individual real estate investors, companies want their end customers to facilitate as much of their real estate business as possible through seamless digital interactions.

Buyers expect real estate transactions to include protection options. Construction clients want ongoing coverage that extends beyond project completion. Tenants increasingly expect digital-first interactions for all their property needs, and property managers are responding by building platforms that support these expectations.

These evolving expectations create natural openings for embedded insurance programs that feel like logical service extensions rather than separate products.

Risk management is becoming proactive

Traditional built world insurance approaches are reactive, coverage kicks in when something goes wrong. But the companies driving real innovation are thinking proactively about risk management as a customer service differentiator.

Construction companies are offering clients comprehensive project protection that reduces anxiety throughout the build process. Real estate firms are positioning protection services as transaction confidence-builders rather than post-closing add-ons. Property managers are using insurance enrollment as a tenant satisfaction enhancement rather than a compliance requirement.

This proactive approach transforms insurance from a necessary cost into a competitive advantage.

The insurance digitization divide is real

One of the most revealing conversations came from observing how different insurance sectors are responding to digital transformation pressure. While home, auto, and renters insurance have moved rapidly toward digital distribution models, niche insurance products face a critical decision point.

We spoke with companies offering specialized products like title insurance and unique landlord protections. The divide was stark: legacy companies remain extremely resistant to digitalization, convinced it doesn't make sense for their specialized categories. Meanwhile, newer entrants are thinking creatively about expanding their distribution capabilities digitally, recognizing they risk being left behind.

This creates opportunities for embedded insurance platforms that can bridge the gap, enabling specialized products to participate in digital distribution without requiring massive technology investments from individual carriers.

Cross-sector learning is accelerating

Blueprint's unique strength is bringing together traditionally separate sectors. Property management companies are adopting strategies from fintech. Construction firms are learning from retail customer experience innovations. Real estate companies are incorporating hospitality industry service delivery models.

The pace of technology innovation in real estate is accelerating dramatically. While the industry has historically relied on legacy systems that simply got the job done, Blueprint attendees are clearly committed to modernizing their technology stacks. This willingness to embrace change creates fertile ground for embedded solutions that can integrate seamlessly with next-generation platforms.

This cross-pollination creates opportunities for embedded insurance solutions that apply successful models from other industries to built world challenges. Trusted brand curation approaches resonate strongly with companies that already serve as customer advisors throughout complex processes.

Young proptech companies see insurance as competitive advantage

Perhaps most encouraging was discovering how many emerging homebuying and proptech companies are already thinking strategically about insurance. Rather than treating it as an afterthought, these companies view insurance integration as both a revenue opportunity and a customer experience differentiator against legacy competitors.

Even companies without sufficient traffic volume for full embedded flows are exploring ways to offer digital insurance experiences. They understand that insurance capabilities could become a key competitive advantage as they scale, and they want to position themselves appropriately from the beginning.

This forward-thinking approach suggests the next generation of built world companies will expect embedded insurance capabilities as standard platform features rather than nice-to-have additions.

What this means for embedded insurance

The conversations at Blueprint revealed an industry ready for embedded solutions that enhance rather than disrupt existing customer relationships. The challenge isn't convincing built world companies that they need additional revenue streams, it's demonstrating how protection services can advance their existing strategic priorities.

The most successful embedded insurance programs will:

• ‍Align with digital transformation goals: Integration capabilities that enhance rather than complicate existing technology investments‍
• Support customer experience enhancement: Protection options that reduce friction in existing processes rather than creating new complexity‍
• Enable revenue diversification: Programs that create recurring revenue streams while maintaining core business focus‍
• Strengthen customer relationships: Protection services that extend customer lifetime value rather than transferring relationships to third parties

Implementation insights

Blueprint conversations also revealed practical implementation considerations that matter for embedded insurance success:

• ‍Speed to market matters: Companies want to see results quickly, but they're willing to invest in proper implementation when the strategic value is clear‍
• Integration simplicity is essential: The best technology solutions feel invisible to customers while providing comprehensive functionality to business operators‍
• Carrier flexibility reduces risk: Multiple carrier options and switching capabilities address the single point of failure concerns that plague traditional insurance partnerships‍
• Performance standards must match digital expectations: Consumer-grade response times and user experiences are becoming standard expectations across all business interactions

Looking forward

The built world is embracing comprehensive service delivery models that naturally incorporate protection services. Companies that position embedded insurance as strategic enablers rather than tactical additions will capture the greatest opportunities as this transformation accelerates.

The question isn't whether built world companies will expand their service offerings, it's how quickly they can implement solutions that enhance customer relationships while creating sustainable competitive advantages.

Interested in how embedded insurance can support your built world company’s third act?

Our decade of platform development and experience with 100+ property management companies provides insights into technology integration approaches that enhance customer relationships while generating additional revenue. Let's discuss how protection services can advance your strategic objectives.