You know construction. If something can go wrong, it will go wrong. It’s no wonder: with all of the moving parts, vendors and workers working from different locations and on different part of the projects, how do you keep it all organized? Easily, affordably and intelligently, that is?
That’s why you need a GamePlan.
GamePlan is the 21st century solution for collaboration, communication, safety and quality, empowering you with lean construction strategies and building information modeling – and helping all of the team members to get their jobs done on time – and on budget. Part of the Columbia Startup Lab, this was one of the few companies to be selected that came out of the engineering school. CEO Vishal Porwal and COO Niran Shrestha explain the company’s game plan.
Tell us about the product.
GamePlan is cloud based construction management software that empowers architects, engineers, construction professionals and owners to make accurate decisions with business intelligence and predictive analytics, using real time information collected in both the field and the office to mitigate risk and optimize resources.
How is it different?
The central module of GamePlan, “Time,” developed with algorithms based on Lean construction principles, is our unique feature. It integrates our entire platform of Team, Document, Resources and Field to provide easily-interpretable analytics, reports and performance reviews. Current construction management methodology is based on traditional “Critical Path method,” which doesn’t take the dynamic nature of the construction process into account. With GamePlan, each project team member, from the site to the material suppliers to architects, updates real time information, making the decision accurate and practical.
Another unique feature of GamePlan is that it connects the entire project team to foster Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), even bringing Owners in to collaborate via the platform, improving transparency and accountability. Both Lean and IPD have gained momentum globally in the construction industry recently; GamePlan is the only disruptive technology empowering this revolution.
What market are you attacking and how big is it?
Our target market in the construction industry is primarily the Owner Organizations and Construction Managers. Architects, Engineers, Material suppliers, Equipment renters, tradesmen and inspectors are our secondary target. SaaS in construction is $15B globally, and $5B in USA.
Are we still in the early stages of the cloud? What’s to come?
We are at the saturation point of Internet and cloud based services. Internet of things and Wearables are the future of technology. GamePlan is working on bringing Google Glass into the construction industry for augmented reality, communication and facilities management.
What is the business model?
GamePlan is SaaS based software with both an annual subscription fee and a flat rate. Depending upon the size of the project and company, there are different tiers of price.
What are the milestones that you plan to achieve within six months?
We have five pilot projects underway in the USA. Large construction firms from Australia, China and the Middle East have shown interest in GamePlan. In the next six months, we are targeting to have at least 40 projects in the pipeline, and we have a clearly marketing plan which includes strategic partnership and global marketing, to accomplish this.
Tell us about your experience with the Columbia Startup Lab thus far and your decision to apply.
Awesome. I am constantly interacting with great startup and sharing ideas and we’re all here inspiring each other. We were working out our house before we joined the Lab and we were among the few startups from the engineering school that were selected. Grabbing the third position award at Columbia Engineering Ventures competition definitely gave us the edge.
If you could be put in touch with one investor in the New York community who would it be and why?
Alesander Piol , because he has a great knowledge of latest technology in Cloud, Big Data and Sensor. He is a Columbia Alumni who founded AT&T Ventures, among others. His book, Tech and the City, is an amazing resource about NY startup and investment community.
Why are you launching your business in New York?
New York is the construction capital of the world, with mega projects like World Trade Center, 2nd Avenue subway and Eastside Access. I was a part of the MTA, Long Island Rail Road and United Nations Office renovation project prior to devoting my full time to GamePlan. New York real estate and the infrastructure construction market has grown at a rate of more than 11% in the last two years.
