Vela Systems

About Vela Systems

Vela Systems, founded in 2005 by Joshua Kanner, carved a niche in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry by pioneering mobile field management software. The company's genesis stemmed from research at the MIT Center for Real Estate and the Harvard Graduate School of Design, highlighting a deep academic and practical understanding of the sector's challenges. Kanner, with an MBA from MIT's Sloan School of Management and prior experience in product management and strategy, co-founded the company to bring technology to the physical point of construction. Tim Curran, who has a track record of leading B2B SaaS companies, later joined as CEO, bringing extensive experience from his time at companies like Accenture and I-many, Inc.

Vela Systems developed a suite of software products designed to automate and streamline field activities for contractors, architects, engineers, and owners. The platform operated on a cloud-based architecture, allowing for seamless information flow between the job site and the back office. It enabled users on-site, initially with tablet PCs and later with iPads, to manage critical processes digitally, replacing traditional paper-based methods like notebooks and plans. The company's offerings addressed quality assurance and control, safety management, commissioning, punch lists, field reports, and materials tracking. A key feature was its integration with Building Information Modeling (BIM), allowing users to access and interact with 2D and 3D project models directly in the field.

The company's business model focused on providing these software solutions to the construction and capital projects market, serving clients from field superintendents to corporate executives. By digitizing field operations, Vela Systems helped clients improve productivity, reduce project risk, and manage quality and safety programs more effectively. The company raised a total of $22.5 million over four funding rounds from investors including Commonwealth Capital Ventures, GrandBanks Capital, and a strategic investment from Autodesk. This longstanding partnership culminated in June 2012 when Autodesk acquired Vela Systems for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition was a strategic move by Autodesk to extend the value of its BIM portfolio to the field, integrating Vela's mobile and cloud capabilities to transform the construction process. Following the acquisition, the product was rebranded as Autodesk BIM 360 Field.