Cascade Secures $3.5 Million Seed Funding to Transform Construction Project Acquisition

New Delhi, India Jul 22, 2026 ALN: Cascade, a startup building a platform to help architecture, engineering, and construction firms find and win projects, has raised a $3.5 million seed round from Andreessen Horowitz Speedrun, Ada Ventures, and Snowball VC.

Launched in 2025, Cascade is a result of its founders, Hannia Zia and Joana Ferreira, witnessing firsthand the difficulty construction businesses face with predictably securing work. The construction industry, often characterized by its project-based nature, has long struggled with inefficiencies in the bidding and acquisition processes. This challenge is particularly pronounced for smaller firms that may lack the resources or connections necessary to navigate the complex landscape of project opportunities.

“My mother worked in a company that sold materials to construction companies, and my uncle built mansions in the Middle East. They’re incredible at their craft but just don’t have access to the right tools to get more work,” Ferreira stated. Zia recalled the time her father tried starting a construction business back in her native Pakistan: “He just couldn’t get enough projects to sustain himself.” These personal anecdotes highlight the broader systemic issues within the industry, where talent and capability often go unrecognized due to a lack of access to vital information and connections.

Zia describes the current process of finding construction projects as a “constant treasure hunt,” with firms having to log into each U.S. state, city, district, county, and federal agency’s portals. This fragmented approach not only consumes valuable time but also creates barriers for firms that may not have the manpower to sift through countless databases and listings. “So if you’re really good at building suspension bridges, you have to find all of those opportunities across these disparate portals,” she explained, emphasizing the need for a more streamlined solution.

Cascade aims to help architecture, construction, and engineering firms on this front by tracking ongoing and upcoming projects, and then using prior tender data to predict which developers are likely to win the deals. This predictive capability is increasingly important in an industry where timing and information can be the difference between winning and losing a bid.

Here’s how the platform works: A company signs up to the platform, and then Cascade uses AI tools to determine which projects they have the best chance of winning. It also predicts what projects are coming up, using different signals and data points across U.S. states, local districts, private contracts, and federal agencies. For example, if a state announces a $100 million affordable housing grant, Cascade will monitor which developers won the grant the last time it was announced. This data-driven approach allows firms to focus their efforts on the most promising opportunities rather than spreading themselves thin across numerous bids.

“We connect that data, and we tell our customers: ‘Most likely one of these five developers will win this newly announced grant, so go start talking to them to win projects,’” Ferreira explained. This level of insight can significantly enhance a firm's strategic planning and networking efforts, enabling them to engage with potential partners more effectively and increase their chances of securing contracts.

The duo applied to a16z’s Speedrun last September. They said the pressure to do well on demo day and being around the “brilliance” of other founders helped the company sign contracts with firms that have built the JFK and La Guardia airports, Four Seasons hotels, and some data centers. “Speedrun gave us visibility and a stamp of approval to close big deals,” Zia said. This endorsement from a prestigious venture capital firm not only provided financial backing but also lent credibility to Cascade, making it easier to attract clients in a competitive marketplace.

The startup will use the fresh cash to go to market, host industry events, and hire more engineers. These initiatives are crucial for scaling the platform and enhancing its capabilities. As the construction industry continues to evolve, with increasing demands for efficiency and innovation, Cascade's focus on leveraging technology to streamline project acquisition could position it as a leader in the sector.

Other startups in this area include GovWin IQ and ConstructConnect, but Ferreira argues Cascade is a bit more AI-native than these platforms. The use of artificial intelligence to analyze historical data and predict future trends is a game changer for the construction industry, which has traditionally relied on more manual processes. By integrating AI, Cascade not only improves the accuracy of its predictions but also adapts to the changing landscape of the industry more rapidly.

“Every time a customer wins a bid, they give feedback, so the system keeps getting smarter. Over time, we’ll have a complete map of the industry that our AI can traverse to predict the best projects and leads for each customer,” she said. This feedback loop is essential for continuous improvement, allowing Cascade to refine its algorithms and enhance the user experience over time. As more data is collected, the platform's predictive capabilities will become increasingly sophisticated, offering users unparalleled insights into the construction market.

The implications of Cascade's technology extend beyond just aiding individual firms. By improving the efficiency of project acquisition, Cascade could contribute to the overall growth of the construction sector, potentially leading to more projects being completed on time and within budget. This, in turn, could foster greater economic stability and job creation within the industry.

As the construction industry continues to grapple with challenges such as labor shortages, rising material costs, and increasing regulatory pressures, solutions like Cascade's platform may become increasingly vital. By empowering firms with the tools they need to succeed, Cascade is not only addressing a significant pain point but also positioning itself at the forefront of a technological transformation in the construction sector.

In conclusion, Cascade's recent funding round marks a significant step forward for the startup as it seeks to revolutionize the way construction firms acquire projects. With a focus on leveraging AI and data analytics, Cascade aims to streamline the bidding process, making it easier for firms to identify and secure lucrative contracts. As the construction landscape evolves, the success of such innovative solutions will be critical in shaping the future of the industry.