Buildings are getting a 3D makeover, thanks to Atlanta-based Aetos Imaging. And that could have a huge impact on the technicians, engineers, building managers, and facility operators that keep those buildings running each and every day.
The startup uses 3D scanning cameras to create a “digital twin” of a facility. Its cloud-based software then gets to work aggregating asset information and location data.
This is critical “institutional knowledge” to collect because “no two buildings are exactly the same,” says co-founder Connor Offutt. “By imaging the building, we can customize training and operations processes specific to that building in a way that nobody else in the market currently does.”
On top of creating training programs and visual equipment databases, this work can eliminate additional site visits and unnecessary travel associated with the building inspection and analysis process.
Those in the facilities management space will be familiar with standard computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) available in the market today. Aetos is looking to bring visual maintenance management software (VMMS) to more users.
“Fundamentally, we believe that the visual matters. It’s one thing to look at a checklist of what you have in a building or on an inventory list…it’s a completely different thing to see it in a digital form.”
To date, Aetos’ clients include giants in the real estate space like Cushman & Wakefield, SL Green, Portman Holdings, and CBRE. One of its first building projects was the iconic Coda Building in Atlanta’s Tech Square.
Beyond commercial real estate, Offutt said the technology can be used “anywhere where there’s a complex facility operation,” be it in manufacturing, utilities, and mining sites.
An ATL Story
The three-year-old startup, which borrows its name from the Greek word for eagle, officially launched its first product with customers in March of 2022.
But co-founders Offutt and Patrick Couch are no strangers to the entrepreneurial scene.
Couch previously brought the rental marketplace RVshare to life. Offutt’s entrepreneurial road started halfway across the globe growing up overseas in Central and Southeast Asia. Since moving to the US, he’s worked in technology in the green building movement (and even owned an elite tennis academy).
Aetos Imaging, now up to 11 full-time employees, is staying close to its hometown of Atlanta to find its early-stage investors. The team recently closed a $1.5 million round led by Atlanta-based Valor Ventures. Atlanta Seed Company, which participated in Aetos’ pre-seed in 2022, also provided follow-on funding in this round.
Valor’s General Partner Robin Bienfait will also join Aetos’ board.
Offutt says building such a real estate-focused startup in Atlanta has been particularly meaningful.
“The story of this year has been going from kind of a ragtag group [with] no departments…to having leadership and organizational structure,” added Offutt. “We have the right leaders in place.”
