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.

Significant Growth in Construction Startups Revolutionizes Southeast Industry

The Southeast region of the United States is witnessing a remarkable surge in the construction industry, with visible cranes adorning the skylines of major cities such as Metro Atlanta, Nashville, Charlotte, and Miami. This rapid expansion has catalyzed the emergence of a bustling BuildTech ecosystem that encompasses various technology startups and PropTech ventures specifically designed to enhance the construction process.

A growing number of startups in the Southeast are dedicated to innovating methods in design, finance, and construction in an effort to solve deep-rooted industry challenges. For instance, ProNovos, an Atlanta-based startup, has launched essential forecasting tools aimed at providing financial insights that help streamline contractor payments and mitigate delays. To address significant cash flow issues that plague construction companies, especially subcontractors who often find the payment cycle lengthy, ProNovos recently introduced a new QuickPay feature.

Industry Events Highlight the Innovative Landscape

The burgeoning BuildTech ecosystem in the Southeast took center stage at the inaugural BuildTech Connect event held in downtown Atlanta. Organized collaboratively by notable entities such as Skanska, Atlanta Tech Village, and Atlanta Ventures, the event underscored the essential role of technology in the construction industry. Various industry experts and leaders from startups specializing in robotic security, AI-driven architecture, and construction analytics shared insights at this event.

Thriving Startups and Market Activity

According to data from Crunchbase, there are approximately 679 companies engaged in construction, PropTech, smart building, and broader BuildTech sectors across the Southeast. Recent acquisitions have further highlighted the dynamic nature of this sector. For example, Ladder, a construction workforce platform based in Atlanta, was acquired in late 2024, while Flashtract, a billing and payments platform, also underwent recent acquisition. Additionally, Procore successfully acquired Levelset, a specialized construction payments SaaS platform located in New Orleans, for a substantial $500 million in 2021.

Innovative Active Players in the BuildTech Sector

Several notable startups are making waves in the Southeast BuildTech arena, including:

• Kairos, headquartered in Atlanta, focuses on operational risk management technologies, having recently raised $5.1 million.
• A contract intelligence platform led by Josh Levy in Atlanta raised $21.5 million in Series B funding in 2024.
• A recruiting platform for commercial construction by Kaitlin Hagan, also located in Atlanta.
• A marketplace that connects lenders and borrowers, spearheaded by Jonathan Dickerson in Chattanooga, Tennessee, raised pre-seed funding in 2023.
• SmartPM, another Atlanta startup focused on AI-driven Project Controls, raised $5.5 million in Series A funding in 2024.
• A robotics systems startup led by Brent Wadas in Durham, North Carolina, secured $12.4 million in late 2023.
• An architecture firm with Sandeep Ahuja as a leader raised $30 million in Series B funding in 2021, located in Atlanta.
• A customer engagement platform by Jack Carrere in New Orleans raised $25 million in Series A funding in 2024.
• An intelligent asset management startup led by Connor Offutt in Atlanta raised $4 million in a seed round in 2025.
• A sustainable building materials company by Nathan Silvernail in Oxford, North Carolina, raised $10 million in Series A funding in 2023.
• A safety technology firm in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, led by Tim Wolter, recently secured a pre-seed round in 2024.

Future of Real Estate and Construction Innovations

In addition to construction-focused startups, the Southeast is also nurturing businesses that address real estate investing, rentals, and homeownership. Startups such as Falaya in Baton Rouge, RentCheck in New Orleans, and Smart Alto in Birmingham exemplify this growth.

To further highlight innovation and foster connections in the industry, the upcoming Southeast Build Conference (SEBC) is scheduled for July 24-25, 2025, at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Florida. Miter Brands is confirmed as a gold sponsor and will showcase products from various suppliers including PGT Custom Windows and Doors and MI Windows and Doors.

As the Southeast BuildTech ecosystem continues to thrive, it will undoubtedly pave the way for new innovations and collaborations within the construction industry.

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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