Flux Factory

About Flux Factory

Flux Factory, which operated as flux.io, emerged from Google's secretive research division, Google X, in 2012, before its public launch and Series A funding in 2014. The company was founded by a team of four Google X employees, including Nicholas Chim, who served as CEO, and Jen Carlile, who was the VP of Engineering. The founders' journey began within Google, where they explored how technology could address inefficiencies in building design, aiming to make construction faster, more cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable.

The firm's core business was developing a cloud-based collaboration platform for the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. It targeted architects, engineers, and construction professionals, providing tools to solve data interoperability challenges. The service allowed data to flow freely between different design software like Grasshopper and Dynamo, aiming to break down the data silos that hamper the industry. The business model focused on providing these interoperability tools to streamline workflows, allowing designers, for instance, to get instant feedback on how design changes would impact a building's energy performance. The goal was to create a shared environment where stakeholders could collaborate seamlessly, much like Google's suite of productivity tools.

Flux's platform was designed to act as the connective tissue for building data. A key feature was its ability to synchronize models and data across different software applications used in the building lifecycle. By connecting disparate tools through the cloud, it enabled a level of collaboration and data analysis that was previously difficult to achieve. In May 2014, the company secured an $8 million Series A funding round led by DFJ, with participation from Borealis Ventures, Google Ventures, and Andreessen Horowitz. However, despite its vision and a reported $29 million in total funding, Flux struggled with monetization. In February 2018, the company announced it would shut down its primary data-sharing platform on March 31, 2018, and pivot its business model to target real estate professionals. This pivot led to the creation of a new venture named Helix, which was later acquired by Density.io, marking the end of Flux.io's original mission.