Real estate in India is fragmented, with many challenges. When Kanika Gupta co-founded Square Yards, the journey was tough due to a lack of infrastructure and transparency. Focusing on NRI clients, Gupta addressed key issues like access to reliable information and asset management. This customer-first approach, supported by a data-driven strategy, allowed the company to thrive in a competitive space.

The real estate market has evolved significantly, with regulatory changes like RERA increasing transparency. Square Yards embraced technology early, using innovations such as PropVR, a 3D-visualisation platform, to enhance the property search experience. Gupta sees technology as the future of real estate, with solutions like real-time transaction data and simplified documentation transforming the sector.

On gender representation, Gupta notes that women are increasingly involved in property investment decisions, particularly with government incentives. At Square Yards, gender diversity is a priority, offering flexible policies, childcare support, and mentorship to empower women. Despite this, women still make up just 12 per cent of the real-estate workforce, and Gupta advocates for greater representation in leadership roles through structured career paths and support systems.

Looking ahead, Gupta envisions Square Yards continuing to lead with technology, while the Indian real estate market grows as transparency and efficiency improve.