JLL Spark accelerates growth capabilities for proptech portfolio with strategic new hire
Eric Wittman joins JLL Spark as chief growth officer
Laura Kelso
Director of Marketing & Communications, JLL Spark
SAN FRANCISCO, May 2, 2019 – JLL Spark, an independent division of JLL (NYSE: JLL) that operates a $100 million global venture fund to invest in proptech companies transforming commercial real estate, today announced Eric Wittman has joined as chief growth officer. The newly created role of chief growth officer is focused on helping proptech startups grow through JLL distribution channels and feedback loops.
Wittman brings a strong track record of leading, managing and advising high-growth technology companies. Prior to joining JLL Spark, Wittman was the chief operating officer at Figma, where he was responsible for hiring the business leadership team, launching the company's first paid product offering, growing the business from zero to over 3,000 customers, and raising a $25 million Series B round. His previous experience includes general manager at Atlassian, CEO of Songbird, and senior positions with Adobe Inc.
"The JLL Spark growth team has been a great asset to our company. In fact, I can directly attribute more than 1,000 sensor sales to opportunities driven by JLL Spark," said Dan Ryan, CEO and co-founder at Vergesense. "I am thrilled to work with Wittman in his new role. He has already proven to be a fantastic value-add, delivering practical advice and insight based on his years of experience growing and scaling technology companies."
"We are witnessing incredible growth opportunities within proptech today. Now is the perfect time to transform commercial real estate leveraging new digital products," said Wittman. "JLL Spark is unique in that we have an incredible team of both seasoned investors and operators. When you couple our team with the expansive JLL network, we can offer counsel, capital and customers unlike any other firm. We also bring a new strategic dimension to JLL's client relationships that helps them evaluate and adopt proptech faster."
JLL Spark, which launched in 2017, invests in startups leveraging technology to improve everything from real estate development and management to leasing and investing, while enhancing the experience of those who occupy it. To learn more about JLL Spark and its innovative portfolio companies, please visit www.jllspark.com.
About JLL Spark
JLL Spark is a division of JLL (NYSE: JLL) that operates a $100 million global venture fund to invest in proptech companies transforming commercial real estate. Led by experienced Silicon Valley entrepreneurs with successful track records building and investing in tech companies, JLL Spark's strategic proptech investments offer JLL the ability to provide innovative products to real estate owners and operators. JLL Spark was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in San Francisco. For further information, please visit www.jllspark.com.
JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a leading professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management. Our vision is to reimagine the world of real estate, creating rewarding opportunities and amazing spaces where people can achieve their ambitions. In doing so, we will build a better tomorrow for our clients, our people and our communities. JLL is a Fortune 500 company with annual revenue of $16.3 billion, operations in over 80 countries and a global workforce of over 90,000 as of December 31, 2018. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit jll.com