Acelab, a startup founded by Harvard-educated architect Vardhan Mehta, has secured $5.3 million in funding to revolutionize the search process for architectural supplies. While the field of architecture has seen advancements with the introduction of computer-assisted design (CAD) software, the process of finding the necessary supplies has remained outdated and time-consuming.
Acelab aims to change this by developing an intelligent search platform specifically designed for architects. With hundreds of thousands of building products available, it is impossible for architects to be familiar with all of them. Acelab’s machine learning-powered search engine gathers information provided by architects, combines it with their proprietary database, and returns the most suitable options through a user-friendly interface.
The recent funding round, led by Pillar VC, PJC, and Draper Associates, will enable Acelab to further enhance its platform. The company’s three-tiered platform is already being used by over 8,000 architecture firms and offers various features. In addition to functioning as a comprehensive search engine, Acelab’s ProductAdvisor generates product recommendations based on the platform’s user data. This helps architects choose the most suitable products for their specific project requirements.
While users currently cannot order products directly from the platform, Acelab provides easy access to manufacturers’ websites. The company has a dedicated data team that manually updates product information on Acelab, ensuring accuracy and relevancy. They also plan to automate some of these processes in the future.
Not only does Acelab benefit architects by saving them countless hours of research, but it also facilitates connections between architects and manufacturers. Traditionally, manufacturers relied on trade shows and catalogs to showcase their products, resulting in limited success. However, Acelab ensures that architects connect with manufacturers precisely when they are seeking products, leading to more successful collaborations.
Acelab’s platform caters to both residential and commercial construction projects. With the recent funding, the company aims to introduce new features to provide even more value to architects. One notable addition on their product roadmap is a procurement feature, allowing users to directly purchase products through the platform. This feature is expected to be available within the next 12-18 months.
Furthermore, Acelab plans to include historic price codes reported by users, offering architects a more accurate understanding of each product’s cost. They are also exploring the integration of generative artificial intelligence (AI) to automatically create specification documents for architecture projects. This will streamline the process for architects, saving them time and effort.
As the construction industry faces challenges such as supply chain delays and labor shortages, Acelab aims to alleviate the pressure on architects by providing them with the necessary tools to find the right products. By ensuring projects stay on budget and on time, Acelab contributes to the success of the entire construction ecosystem.
