A Startup Superbloom: Tech You Should Know
This article expands on that post and highlights three solutions helping enable digital transformation and automation in AEC workflows today.
š Did you know that construction tech funding skyrocketed from $1M in 2010 to over $5B by 2022?
That was the opening statement in my Tech You Should Know post late last year, emphasizing the startup superbloom currently happening in the construction industry.
This article expands on that post and highlights three solutions helping enable digital transformation and automation in AEC workflows today.
Cogram, Beiing Human, and Kroo are three standout construction technology solutions actively engaging the AEC industry in meaningful ways.
Read on for more details.
Cogram: AI Platform for Architects, Builders, and Engineers
Overview
From AI-assisted RFP bidding and automatic meeting minutes to AI-powered mail management and site reports, Cogram is designed to keep your projects on schedule, within budget, and out of disputes.
Why We (EKC) Like It:
It's extremely easy to get started with the minutes and note-taking functionalities, and it's tailored specifically for tracking action items in AEC projects. The proposals and field report features also deliver an expanded platform that goes beyond meetings.
Key Features & Benefits
- AI-Assisted RFP Bidding Cogram's RFP tool automatically extracts key details---scope, submission requirements, deadlines, and evaluation criteria---to help teams quickly make go/no-go decisions.For bids that proceed, Cogram references your firm's knowledge base and previous projects to draft tailored proposals in minutes. Its AI-assisted editing tools help cross-check data and refine content with speed and accuracy.
š See how Cogram drafts a proposal from an actual RFP in a 20-minute live meeting.
- AI-Powered Field Reports The mobile app (iOS and Android) lets users combine voice and images to generate professional site reports. It also adds weather data and GPS coordinates to photos automatically. Cogram's speech recognition distinguishes between speakers---even in noisy environments.
šBook a live demo of Cogram's field reports.
- Automatic Meeting Minutes Cogram generates structured minutes for both online (Zoom, Teams) and in-person meetings, automatically formatted using your firm's templates. Built for AEC, it offers high transcription accuracy for industry-specific terms and abbreviations. Privacy is also a priority---Cogram doesn't store audio or video recordings of the meetings, which contributes to its adoption.
š Book a live demo of Cogram's meeting minutes.
Results and Impact
- Create RFP proposals in 10 minutes instead of days
- Save 4--5 hours each week by automating meeting minutes and field reports
What Others Are Saying
"When it comes to construction and buildings and architecture, there are just so many complexities... Cogram relinquishes the burden of taking notes while paying attention to what a client is asking for."
ā Jeremy McMartin, Director of Digital Practice, Kirkor Architects
"We captured four to five times the amount of information compared to traditional methods. Cogram made our audits more efficient and improved the quality and clarity of the information we deliver to clients. It's now central to our process."
ā Byers Wolf, COO & VP Design Engineering
"By integrating Cogram's AI we've taken our project management and communication to the next level. With note-taking and action items, we're streamlining workflows so we can focus delivering creative solutions to our clients."
ā Alan Woods, Head of Engineering
š Explore the Cogram platform
Beiing Human: AP Invoice, PO, and Delivery Ticket Automation
Overview
Beiing Human is an AI-based document automation solution built for construction. It enhances the accounts payable process by automating invoice, purchase order, and delivery ticket workflows---reducing manual effort, increasing accuracy, and freeing up valuable time.
Why We (EKC) Like It:
This is a smart application of AI---one that removes busywork from the construction accounting process and lets professionals focus on high-value tasks.
Key Features & Benefits
- AP Document Routing
Uses AI to streamline construction-specific AP processes, improving productivity and accuracy.
- Paperless Operations
Beiing Human streamlines financial workflows by digitizing paperwork, automating invoice capture, and organizing documents in one centralized platform. It reduces manual errors, prevents lost files, and supports sustainability. With real-time access to digital records, businesses can boost efficiency, stay compliant, and focus on growth.
- Flexible Workflows
Users can create a multi-level approval process in which documents are routed to multiple individuals for their approval, ensuring a streamlined and error-free workflow.
Results & Impact
- 80% time savings in manual data entry and document management
- 96% accuracy in data extraction using advanced ML models
- Supports over 11 document types, including invoices, contracts, and receipts
Success Stories
Users highlight significant improvements in accuracy and productivity after integrating Beiing Human into their AP workflows.
Blogs & Insights
Their site also offers helpful content on AI in finance, document management, and business process improvement---keeping users informed and empowered.
What Others Are Saying
"Beiing Human has been a game-changer for our accounts payable process. Its accuracy in reading invoices is exceptional, capturing vendor details and invoice numbers flawlessly. Even in rare cases of uncertainty, the system flagged questionable amounts, ensuring everything was correct. The user-friendly interface and consistent layout make approvals seamless."
ā Matt, Swain Electric Inc.
"What you've done is essential for every company---no humans should be doing tedious data entry. You took care of a previous client of mine, Adiona Transportation out of Colorado. They were looking into streamlining their A/P process, and I steered them in your direction after learning about you through CFMA."
ā Jordan Anderson, CCIFP
š Visit Beiing Human
Kroo: Automating Data-Driven Insights for Construction
Overview
Kroo is a modern data management platform built specifically for construction. If you don't have the resources to fully develop analytics infrastructure in-house (which can cost millions and take years), Kroo offers a powerful alternative---empowering any GC, specialty contractor, or owner to make their data actionable in just weeks.
Why We (EKC) Like It:
Managing data effectively is a foundational step toward A.I. readiness. Kroo makes it easy to eliminate silos and take a proactive, data-driven approach to project delivery.
Kroo works with ENR-ranked contractors like Fortis Construction, Choate Construction, Hourigan, and Zwick Construction. Their platform includes turnkey data pipelines, managed warehousing, and easy-to-use dashboards.
Key Features & Benefits
- Easy Integration
Customers typically start with at least one of the following core data connections:
- Project Management (e.g., Procore, Autodesk Construction Cloud, HCSS, ProjectSight)
- ERP (e.g., Sage, CMiC, Viewpoint Vista)
- Scheduling (e.g., Oracle P6, Microsoft Project)
- CRM (e.g., Salesforce, Unanet Cosential, Microsoft Dynamics)
From there, you can launch a project health dashboard across all projects in just a few weeks.
- User-Friendly Experience
Kroo can get new customers up and running with a project health dashboard like the following example (also linked here) in a matter of weeks to use for all of their projects.
No need for code, complex queries, or extensive training. Kroo's onboarding is simple and intuitive---built with the busy construction professional in mind.
- Future-Focused Innovation
New integrations are being added regularly, specific to the construction industry (see here for details), and Kroo is rethinking how dashboards and analytics are built. Imagine generating quick visuals for things like JTD costs versus budgeted costs, RFI impact trends or forecasted revenue by project type---instantly.Ā This will be a critical step towards democratizing construction analytics.
- Making Data Accessible for Anyone
While larger construction firms have successfully built in-house tech capabilities, that path isn't feasible for everyone. Developing these solutions internally requires significant time, money, and effort.
As the gap in data management across the industry continues to grow, Kroo's mission is to bridge that divide and make analytics more accessible and achievable for all construction companies.
What Others Are Saying
"Kroo has solved a critical challenge for us, increasing our data transfer speed and visibility by 30x while eliminating the need for heavy manual effort. They've set the gold standard for vendor relationships with their responsiveness, flexibility, and reliability."
ā Trenton Baugh, Assistant to the CEO, Zwick Construction
"Kroo has revolutionized our data infrastructure, allowing us to centralize and manage data effortlessly through a turnkey solution. This streamlined connectivity has freed our team to focus on strategic initiatives, enhancing overall efficiency."
ā Troy Burns, Director of IT, Hourigan
Conclusion: This Bloom Is Just the Beginning
The pace of innovation in construction tech is accelerating, and the AEC industry is seeing the results firsthand. Startups like Cogram, Beiing Human, and Kroo are proving that digital transformation doesn't have to be complex---it just has to be intentional.
Each of these tools tackles a critical gap: whether it's improving communication, streamlining back-office tasks, or unlocking the power of project data. They're not just nice-to-haves---they're catalysts for change.
Ready to dive deeper into these platforms? Reach out to their teams:
And stay tuned for more Tech You Should Know spotlights. The next wave of innovation is just around the corner.