Photo Credit: Eric Owusu Sekyere
Homebuilders often find themselves waiting months on end before they can even break ground. Rather than do what they do best, they frequently spend inordinate amounts of time navigating bureaucratic red tape.
Founder Eric Owusu Sekyere realized he could use his expertise to help speed up permit applications and allow construction professionals to find relevant projects easily. His AI platform, Brace, accomplishes this by collecting information about new builds, analyzing past permits and entitlements, and using data-powered insights to connect contractors with builders.
Rules, Regulations, and Roadblocks
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Much of the bureaucracy involved in construction comes down to permit applications, which require comprehensive details regarding the materials that will be used, architectural designs, sewage and HVAC plans, safety standards, and more. Furthermore, it must be shown that the building will meet any zoning, accessibility, and environmental regulations.
These permit applications are assessed by multiple parties throughout the local government. This can be a lengthy process, and if anything isn’t right, it will be sent back for revisions and effectively reset the clock.
The cost of this bureaucracy is real and significant, with homebuilders wasting no small amount of time and money while they wait for the sluggish speeds of local government.
Enter Eric and Brace.
How Data Can Fix the System
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Eric Owusu Sekyere realized that construction was a perfect use case for his expertise in data science and sales strategy acumen, giving him the potential to disrupt a trillion-dollar industry.
But he also knew that if he just made a solution that didn’t really improve the lives of construction professionals, it would fall flat. “People in construction are thought to be uninterested in technology,” he explained. “But that’s not true, they’re not interested in technology for technology’s sake. It has to fit into their workflow and actually make things better.”
It was at this point that Eric started working on Brace, an AI tool that makes building new homes easier.
Brace has several functions, most of which are tied to its ability to analyze and process permits and entitlements. For one, it’s able to identify new construction projects and then connect suppliers and subcontractors with the builder, helping these professionals find leads and make the build much more efficient. Second, because suppliers can get involved in the early stages of a project, it helps them get their materials specced into the build from the start, leaving architects no choice but to work with them.
But one of the most important functions of Brace is one that drastically reduces the red tape involved in new builds. Because it analyzes other approved permits and entitlements, Brace helps project managers successfully file these applications by providing real-time recommendations based on previously successful applications — cutting back on rejected applications and reducing the amount of time spent on crafting them. And because it collects and cleans data from over 11,500 U.S. building departments, construction professionals can have a wealth of information at their fingertips.
The Future of Construction
Eric’s innovation is coming at just the right time. New residential construction isn’t moving at the pace needed in the U.S. — since March 2023, projects have been down 14.7% month-over-month. Without innovative technological solutions, the industry will continue to falter.
But with Brace, construction companies can work more quickly and efficiently, and the millions of people in need of housing will finally get the homes they need.
Written in partnership with Allison Schingel
