Viact Raises $2M for Automated Construction Monitoring | Hong Kong

viAct Secures $2 Million Seed Funding for AI-Powered Construction Monitoring

viAct, a company headquartered in Hong Kong, provides continuous, 24/7 oversight of construction sites through its innovative AI-driven cloud platform.

This platform integrates computer vision, edge computing devices, and a dedicated mobile application.

Seed Round Details

The startup recently announced the successful completion of a $2 million seed funding round.

This round was co-led by SOSV and Vectr Ventures, with additional investment from Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund, Artesian Ventures, and ParticleX.

Company Growth and Current Operations

Established in 2016, viAct currently supports over 30 clients within the construction sector across Asia and Europe.

The newly acquired funds will be strategically allocated to bolster research and development efforts, enhance product development, and facilitate expansion into key Southeast Asian markets.

Platform Capabilities

The core functionality of the platform centers around utilizing computer vision to identify potential safety hazards on construction sites.

It also tracks construction progress and monitors the precise location of both machinery and materials.

Real-time alerts are delivered directly to a user-friendly mobile application.

This app is specifically designed for engineers operating in challenging environments, as Hugo Cheuk, co-founder and COO, explained to TechCrunch – environments often characterized by noise and constant activity that hinder the effective use of complex dashboards.

COVID-19 and Accelerated Adoption

The adoption of viAct’s services was notably accelerated by the need for companies to maintain site monitoring while adhering to COVID-19 social distancing protocols.

To facilitate rapid onboarding, the company provided comprehensive training sessions via Zoom.

Expansion into Southeast Asia

viAct’s initial focus within Southeast Asia will be on Indonesia and Vietnam.

These countries are experiencing significant growth in construction projects due to government initiatives focused on smart city development and new infrastructure investments over the coming 5-10 years.

The company also plans to enter the Singapore market, recognizing the willingness of developers there to embrace AI-based technologies.

Industry Validation

Oscar Ramos, partner at SOSV and managing director of Chinaccelerator, stated that the pandemic has expedited digital transformation across various industries.

He emphasized that traditional sectors like construction are undergoing a rapid transformation crucial for long-term viability.

Ramos further highlighted viAct’s success in not only developing a valuable product but also in establishing strong customer trust and accelerating platform adoption.