Southeast’s BuildTech Ecosystem Thrives Amid Construction Growth

News Summary

The Southeast region of the United States is experiencing significant growth in the construction industry, with notable startups strengthening the BuildTech ecosystem. Companies like ProNovos are innovating processes, addressing cash flow challenges, and enhancing contractor payments. Events like BuildTech Connect showcase emerging technologies and startups focused on transforming construction practices. The rise of construction technology and PropTech startups signals a new era of innovation and opportunity in the region, with the upcoming Southeast Build Conference set to further connect industry professionals.

Southeast’s BuildTech Ecosystem Thrives Amid Explosive Growth in Construction Startups

The construction industry in the Southeast is undergoing a significant transformation, marked by the presence of cranes in major cities such as Metro Atlanta, Nashville, Charlotte, and Miami. This bustling growth has catalyzed the development of an invigorating BuildTech ecosystem, characterized by the rise of construction technology (BuildTech) startups and property technology (PropTech) ventures.

Innovative companies in the Southeast are stepping up to the plate to tackle longstanding challenges faced by the construction sector. Many startups are focused on enhancing processes in design, finance, and overall construction efficiency. A prime example is ProNovos, an Atlanta-based startup that provides forecasting tools and financial insights tailored to streamline contractor payments and minimize delays across the industry.

In addressing a persistent issue within the construction world, ProNovos has introduced a new QuickPay feature intended to expedite payments to subcontractors. The average Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) for construction companies ranges from 51 to 83 days, typically resulting in cash flow issues that significantly impact subcontractors.

The technology revolution has also manifested in events dedicated to showcasing advancements, highlighted by the first BuildTech Connect event held in downtown Atlanta. Organized by organizations such as Skanska, Atlanta Tech Village, and Atlanta Ventures, this event spotlighted the vital role technology plays in modern construction. Tech startup leaders from diverse sectors shared their insights to inspire innovation.

According to recent data, the Southeast is home to an impressive count of 679 active companies involved in construction, PropTech, smart building, and general BuildTech sectors. This surge is indicative of the regional commitment to advancing the industry’s technological capabilities.

Recent Acquisitions and Startup Highlights

In the past months, there have been notable acquisitions in the Southeast BuildTech landscape. Among them is Atlanta-based Ladder, a construction workforce platform that was acquired late in 2024. Similarly, Flashtract, a billing and payments platform, has changed hands recently. In a significant move, Procore, a leading construction management software company, acquired Levelset—a New Orleans-based SaaS platform specializing in construction payments—for a staggering $500 million in 2021.

The diversity of startups in the Southeast reflects a promising future for the BuildTech ecosystem. For example:

• Kairos, based in Atlanta, focuses on operational risk management technologies, having recently raised $5.1 million.
• Another innovative venture from Josh Levy is a contract intelligence platform in Atlanta that secured $21.5 million in a Series B round in 2024.
• Kaitlin Hagan’s recruiting platform specifically targets commercial construction, also based in Atlanta.
• Jonathan Dickerson runs a marketplace for lenders and borrowers from Chattanooga, Tennessee, which raised pre-seed funding in 2023.
• SmartPM, an AI-driven Project Controls startup in Atlanta, led by Michael Pink, raised $5.5 million in Series A funding in 2024.
• Diverse sectors are also emerging, with a robotics systems startup in Durham raising $12.4 million in late 2023 and an architecture firm led by Sandeep Ahuja, which raised $30 million in Series B in 2021.

Moreover, the wave of innovation continues with a customer engagement platform in New Orleans raising $25 million in a Series A round in 2024, contributing to a vibrant and dynamic entrepreneurial landscape.

Future Directions—Industry Conferences and Sponsorships

Looking ahead, the Southeast Build Conference (SEBC) is set to take place on July 24-25, 2025, at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Florida. This event will showcase industry innovations and create networking opportunities for construction professionals. Companies like Miter Brands are already confirmed as gold sponsors of the SEBC, presenting products from well-known manufacturers in the window and door sector.

With a drive towards innovative solutions and enhanced efficiency, the Southeast is poised to lead the construction industry’s transformation through technology, positioning itself as a crucial player in the ongoing BuildTech evolution.

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Additional Resources

• Hypepotamus: BuildTech Startups to Know in 2025
• ENR: Southeast Builders See Demand Rising in 22
• Morningstar: Miter Brands to Attend and Sponsor Southeast Building Conference
• Flagler News Weekly: Future Builders of America Team Wins at SEBC
• PR Newswire: BuildTech Asia 2024 Advances Regional Collaboration
• Wikipedia: Construction
• Google Search: BuildTech
• Google Scholar: Construction Technology
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Construction
• Google News: BuildTech