Building decarbonization-focused software startup Vizcab announced today that it has raised an additional €4.5 million in its Series A funding, bringing the financing round to €9 million (USD$9.8 million), with proceeds aimed at supporting the company’s growth and expansion into new international markets.
Buildings are a key source of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and also one of the hardest to replace, given their long-term nature. According to the European Commission, buildings account for 40% of the energy consumed in the EU, and for 36% of energy-related GHG emissions.
Founded in 2015 by Dr. Thomas Jusselme and Guillaume Lafont, Lyon, France-based Vizcab offers a software platform that calculates the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of buildings to reduce the carbon impact of construction projects. The company’s AI-driven platform connects stakeholders ranging from architects and engineers to manufacturers and construction companies, enabling optimized carbon performance, improved operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and expedited ESGEnvironmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria are a set of standards for a company’s operations that socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments. More reporting. The company announced its initial €5 million Series A funding in November.
According to Vizcab, the funding round comes as the construction industry faces evolving regulations to driving carbon reduction, including the EU’s recently passed Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, which will introduce mandatory LCAs mandatory for larger buildings exceeding 1,000 square meters by 2028 and for all buildings by 2030.
Jusselme said:
“With the new regulatory environment, especially the EPBD directive, we are seeing a rising interest for automated LCAs and the demand for our products is growing exponentially. We are excited to work with our existing and new world-class strategic investors to help accelerate our international expansion.”
Vizcab said that the new capital will be used to support its growth into new EU markets, and to meet growing demand in its established market in France. Additionally, the company said that it will launch its first international product in 33 countries in June, as an initial step to international expansion.
Lafont said:
“Thanks to this funding, we will keep investing in our product development, growing our industry partnerships and maintaining our technological edge that will cater to the needs of the market.”
The financing was led by decarbonization-focused VC firm KOMPAS VC, with participation from new specialist built environment investors, including Tokyo-based Global Brain and San Francisco-based Brick and Mortar Ventures.
Andreas Winter-Extra, Partner at KOMPAS VC said:
“The ever-changing regulatory landscape across the globe means there is growing competition and demand within the market for efficient and streamlined processes for LCAs. Vizcab can match this demand as its innovative technology is truly a mark above the rest. Their platform is at the forefront of the transition toward carbon neutrality and has the potential to transform the global construction industry.”