An Award for the Future of the Industry
On Wednesday evening, Austria’s real estate industry gathered at the Wien Museum to honor those personalities who are already shaping the future of the industry today. As part of the international Fiabci World Real Estate Congress, this year’s „Hundredunderforty“ Awards were presented – an accolade that has developed into one of the most significant platforms for young talent in Austria’s real estate industry in recent years.
Among the distinguished personalities is once again Kristina Giacomelli, Founder and Managing Director of Sangreal Living & Estates.
Being named among the Top 100 Under 40 for the second time is a special recognition. It honors individuals who take responsibility, bring new perspectives, and contribute to the continued development of the real estate industry through their daily actions.
For us at Sangreal, however, this award represents far more than a personal honor. It stands for an attitude. For the courage to think differently. For the commitment to putting quality before speed. And for the conviction that successful real estate transactions always begin with trust.
Hundredunderforty: More Than an Award
Initiated by LEADERSNET Immobilien and #TheREAL100, the platform has a clear objective: to highlight the next generation of the real estate industry.
It recognizes individuals under the age of 40 who are already making a significant impact on the industry through their innovative thinking, entrepreneurial mindset, professional expertise, and sense of responsibility.
The Top 100 represent the entire value chain of the real estate industry – from project development, investment, and asset management to financing, valuation, and consulting, as well as digitalization, sustainability, and PropTech.
As initiator Friedrich Csörgits emphasized during the award ceremony, the initiative is about far more than simply honoring achievements:
Progress emerges where experience meets new ways of thinking. The award recipients stand for excellence, a sense of responsibility, and the ability to actively shape change.
Especially in a time of economic uncertainty, technological change, and increasing demands on the industry, this idea is becoming increasingly important.
Because the future of the real estate industry is shaped not only by buildings, markets, or capital.
It is shaped by people.
A Journey That Began with a Vision
When Kristina Giacomelli founded Sangreal, the real estate industry was still largely characterized by traditional sales structures in many areas. Properties were often sold through reach. Through listings. Through standardized processes. But the needs of clients have changed. Today, people are not simply looking for a property. They are looking for guidance. They are looking for security when making one of the most important financial decisions of their lives. They are looking for someone who understands the bigger picture, recognizes risks, and makes opportunities visible.
It was from this conviction that Sangreal was born.
With the ambition to make real estate brokerage more personal, transparent, and strategic. The property itself should not be the sole focus. The people behind it should be.
From Real Estate Agent to Entrepreneur
Kristina Giacomelli’s journey demonstrates how profoundly the real estate industry has changed in recent years.
What began as traditional brokerage gradually developed into a holistic advisory approach.
Today, Sangreal not only supports buyers in acquiring property.
The company supports owners in making sales decisions, advises investors on market opportunities, and assists project developers with positioning, pricing strategies, and marketing.
This development reflects a fundamental shift within the industry.
The real estate market has become more complex.
Purchase decisions take longer.
Financing is being scrutinized more carefully.
International buyer groups are becoming increasingly important.
At the same time, the demands on advisory services, market knowledge, and strategic expertise are increasing.
Anyone who wants to succeed today must offer far more than access to properties.
This is precisely where Kristina Giacomelli sees the future of the industry.
Why Advice Is More Important Today Than Ever Before
The past few years have impressively demonstrated that real estate markets are not static.
Interest rate developments, inflation, regulatory changes, and geopolitical influences have a direct impact on purchasing decisions and investment strategies.
In this environment, independent advice is becoming a decisive factor for success.
That is why, at Sangreal, the work does not begin with a viewing.
It begins with questions.
What are a buyer’s goals?
Which target group is actually right for a property?
How will a location develop over the long term?
What potential does a project hold?
Where are the risks?
And which strategy creates sustainable value?
These questions form the foundation of every advisory process.
Because sustainable decisions are not based on emotion alone, but on a combination of market understanding, experience, and personal guidance.
Sangreal’s New Real Estate Culture
Since its foundation, Sangreal has pursued a clear philosophy:
Real estate is a matter of trust.
That is why the company deliberately focuses on quality rather than quantity.
Every search profile is considered individually.
Every property receives a tailored positioning.
Every assignment is handled with the same level of care – regardless of volume.
Whether an investment apartment, period apartment, penthouse project, family residence, or off-market transaction:
The underlying approach remains the same.
Listen.
Understand.
Advise.
Guide.
This approach has contributed to Sangreal becoming one of Vienna’s established independent real estate boutiques.
With more than 180 successfully brokered apartments and a transaction volume of around 120 million euros, the company has achieved remarkable growth in recent years.
The Importance of Female Leadership in the Real Estate Industry
The real estate industry was shaped by traditional structures for a long time.
That makes it all the more important that more and more female entrepreneurs and leaders are now becoming visible and bringing new perspectives to the industry.
Kristina Giacomelli belongs to a generation of female entrepreneurs demonstrating that modern leadership extends far beyond traditional hierarchies.
Empathy, communication, long-term thinking, and entrepreneurial responsibility are decisive factors for success today.
Not as an opposite to economic success.
But as a prerequisite for it.
Sangreal’s corporate culture also reflects this philosophy.
A young, committed team, short decision-making paths, and high quality standards create the foundation for a working environment that combines professionalism with humanity.
The Future Belongs to Those Who Take Responsibility
A particularly exciting aspect of the Hundredunderforty initiative is the development of many former award recipients.
Many of them have since taken on leadership positions, founded companies, or established themselves as experts in their respective fields.
Some even returned this year as mentors or jury members.
This makes one thing clear: The award does not end with the ceremony.
It often marks the beginning of a long-term journey.
A journey in which knowledge is passed on, experiences are shared, and new generations are supported.
This exchange will become increasingly important for the future of the real estate industry.
A Personal Thank You
“This award means a great deal to me, because it not only recognizes the achievements of an individual, but also highlights the development of a company and a team. Sangreal would not be where it is today without our clients, our partners, and our wonderful team. I am deeply grateful for that.”
– Kristina Giacomelli
Looking Ahead
The real estate industry will continue to evolve in the years ahead.
New technologies will simplify processes.
Sustainability will become an even stronger focus.
Clients will be more demanding and better informed than ever before.
Precisely for this reason, personal advice will become increasingly important.
People will continue to look for someone who provides guidance.
Someone who listens.
Someone who recognizes opportunities.
Someone who addresses risks honestly.
And someone who takes responsibility.
We therefore do not see Kristina Giacomelli’s renewed recognition as one of Austria’s “100 under 40” in the real estate industry as a destination.
But as an incentive.
An incentive to continue bringing new perspectives, pursuing the highest standards of quality, and living real estate brokerage as we believe it should be:
Personal.
Strategic.
Responsible.
And always with people at the center.
We would like to thank all our clients, business partners, and companions on this journey for their trust and look forward to many more projects together.
Photo credit: © leadersnet.at/ A. Felten
