Motif Secures $46 Million in Funding to Revolutionize the AEC Software Industry
Motif, a promising startup founded in 2023 by two design software veterans, Amar Hanspal and Brian Mathews, has raised $46 million in seed and Series A funding to build a next-generation platform that aims to transform the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. The funding was led by CapitalG, Alphabet’s independent growth fund, for the Series A round, while Redpoint Ventures spearheaded the previously undisclosed Seed round. Baukunst, a pre-seed venture firm, also participated in both rounds.
Amar Hanspal, former Co-CEO and Chief Product Officer (CPO) of Autodesk, and Brian Mathews, former Vice President of Platform Engineering at Autodesk, are on a mission to modernize the AEC software industry. They seek to disrupt the $8 billion sector, which has long been dominated by outdated technologies from the 20th century.
With decades of experience in design software and a vision for modernizing how buildings are designed, Hanspal and Mathews believe that the current tools available to architects, engineers, and construction teams fall short in addressing the complex challenges faced by the industry today.
“We aim to bring 21st-century tools to 21st-century buildings,” said Amar Hanspal, the CEO of Motif. “Architects, engineers, and construction teams today are grappling with challenges and opportunities that were barely imagined in the past, such as climate resilience, rapid urbanization, globally distributed teams, and the integration of smart building technology. However, the tools available to AEC professionals are woefully outdated and inefficient. Our goal is to build a platform that will empower AEC teams to collaborate seamlessly and design the buildings of tomorrow.”
The AEC industry, traditionally conservative in adopting new technologies, has long been reliant on legacy software solutions that hinder collaboration and innovation. The current market is characterized by software tools that were created decades ago and have failed to evolve in line with advancements in technology, leaving AEC professionals with inefficient, fragmented tools that are unable to address modern demands. Motif intends to fill this gap by leveraging cutting-edge technologies like 3D modeling, cloud computing, and machine learning to create a unified platform for building design.
“We believe the market is ripe for disruption,” said Jill Chase, partner at CapitalG, who led the Series A round and will join Motif’s board of directors. “Amar and Brian have unparalleled expertise in the design software space, and their vision for creating a more intelligent and collaborative building design process is incredibly exciting. We’re thrilled to partner with them as they work to modernize and revolutionize the way buildings are designed and constructed.”
The new platform is intended to support architects, engineers, and construction professionals with more advanced tools that streamline collaboration across geographically dispersed teams. As the AEC industry continues to adapt to new challenges—like the growing need for sustainable and climate-resilient buildings, as well as the increased integration of smart technologies into the built environment—the tools in use today are often ill-equipped to handle these evolving demands. Motif aims to bridge this gap by introducing a solution that is flexible, modern, and powerful enough to handle the complexities of the 21st-century building environment.
“We’re targeting a massive market that is long overdue for innovation,” said Alex Bard, managing director at Redpoint Ventures. “Amar and Brian’s bold vision has impressed us from the very beginning. Motif has the potential to revolutionize the building design industry, and we’re excited to support them as they bring their ambitious ideas to life.”
Motif’s innovative approach seeks to integrate various aspects of the building design process into a single platform. From early conceptual design to construction and beyond, the Motif platform promises to streamline workflows and facilitate more effective collaboration across multiple stakeholders. By combining advanced 3D design capabilities with cloud-based collaboration tools and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered features, the platform will offer AEC professionals a comprehensive solution that enhances productivity, reduces errors, and ultimately accelerates the design and construction process.
“We’re in this for the long haul,” said Brian Mathews, the CTO of Motif. “Our goal is not just to create a platform for today’s challenges but to build a foundation that will support the needs of the AEC industry for years to come. We’ve assembled a team of experts in cloud computing, machine learning, and building information modeling (BIM) from companies like Autodesk, OnShape, Twitter, Vimeo, and Tesla. Together, we’re tackling some of the most challenging and exciting technical frontiers in software today—and we’re continuing to grow our team.”
The AEC sector faces a unique set of challenges, such as the need for absolute precision and coordination among diverse teams. Motif’s founders understand the complexity involved and have made it a priority to create a platform that can handle these intricacies while providing an intuitive user experience. By harnessing the latest advancements in machine learning and artificial intelligence, the platform aims to enhance decision-making and optimize the building design process, ultimately leading to better outcomes for all stakeholders.
“We are incredibly excited about what we’re building and the impact it will have on the AEC industry,” said Hanspal. “In the future, we look forward to seeing the incredible homes, hospitals, schools, and museums that our customers design with our platform. We want to play a small part in helping our customers create better buildings and, in turn, a better future.”
The funding raised by Motif will allow the company to expand its engineering team, continue developing its platform, and scale its operations to meet the growing demand for modern, intelligent building design tools. As the AEC industry increasingly embraces digital transformation, Motif is positioning itself as a leader in this exciting new era of building design.
The company’s vision is clear: to redefine the future of buildings through cutting-edge software tools that empower the architects, engineers, and construction teams of tomorrow. With an experienced leadership team, strategic funding partners, and a clear focus on innovation, Motif is poised to make a significant impact in the AEC software industry.
In the coming months, the company plans to unveil its platform and demonstrate how it can transform the way buildings are conceived, designed, and built. With the backing of investors like CapitalG and Redpoint Ventures, as well as a strong team of technical experts, Motif is well-positioned to disrupt the AEC software industry and set a new standard for building design in the 21st century.
As Motif continues to evolve and grow, the company remains committed to its mission of bringing intelligent, collaborative, and efficient tools to the AEC industry. The next generation of building design has arrived, and Motif is ready to lead the way.
