3-D plans provide boost to buildings
S.F. startup HoloBuilder’s cameras supply imagery to check on construction
Editor’s note: Here are three Bay Area startups worth watching this week.
HoloBuilder turns traditional 2-D floor plans into 3-D models.
CEO and founder Mostafa Mo Akbari compares his technology to Google Street View, which provides 360-degree panoramas of locations around the world. But instead of focusing on streets and landmarks like Google’s map feature does, this San Francisco company looks at construction sites.
“Normally floor plans and sheets are not very correct, and the info gets very tricky,” Akbari said. But with imagery data processed through HoloBuilders cameras, Akbari said architectural teams can capture a realistic and more accurate view of how a project is progressing.
The company has $2.9 million in funding and 30 employees. It is likely trending on startup database Crunchbase this week because of its plans to expand internationally this year, Akbari
“Normally floor plans and sheets are not very correct, and the info gets very tricky.” Mostafa Mo Akbari, HoloBuilder CEO
said.
Akbari said HoloBuilder’s technology is being used in about 4,000 active projects, including San Francisco International Airport’s Terminal 1 redevelopment project.
Also trending: Health2047
What it does: Creates companies that address common problems in the health care space, such as data sharing and chronic care, according to CEO Doug Given. Its health and tech industry partners are affiliated with the American Medical Association.
What happened: Health2047 recently spun out a company called SwitchCo, which facilitates the sharing of data between patients and physicians.
Why it matters: With its partnership with the American Medical Association, Given said, Health2047 focuses on the “central issues that need to be addressed in health care.” Headquarters: San Francisco Funding: $90 million, according to Given Employees: 25
Grove Collaborative
What it does: Sells natural and sustainable household items directly to consumers. In addition to its own line of products, it also sells some from other other retailers.
What happened: CEO and co-founder Stuart Landesberg said overall traffic on its website is has gone up significantly in the past month. Landesberg said the company is also planning a major announcement in the near future, though he declined to comment further. Why it matters: In the age of Amazon, Grove Collaborative is one of many direct-to-consumer retailers looking to set itself apart. Each customer gets an individual “Grove guide,” who acts like a personal shopper and helps facilitate orders.
Headquarters: San Francisco
Funding: $27 million, according to the company
Employees: 270