Competitive Landscape

Overview

C15 operates in the building decarbonization and retrofit technology space, serving multifamily property owners, lenders, contractors, and utilities. The competitive landscape includes companies focused on building energy efficiency, construction management, contractor marketplaces, and decarbonization software.

Key Differentiators:

Empirical/actuarial approach vs. agent-based modeling (cleaner, more transparent)
Focus on NYC multifamily (hardest sector to electrify - highest electricity and construction costs)
Energy and carbon work specifically (vs. general renovation software)
Portfolio-scale approach vs. single-building focus

Market Context:

Real estate contributes 40% of global emissions - massive technological shift coming
IRA has accelerated competitive activity in the marketplace space
“Whoever gets to a building first is in the driver’s seat” - it’s a race

Competitors & Adjacent Companies

Direct Competitors

Tallarna

Website: https://tallarna.com/
What they do: UK-based climate tech company for the built environment. Uses agent-based modeling approach combining DOE modeling software. NREL partnership for accelerating building decarbonization.
Why interesting/relevant: Participated in Wells Fargo accelerator. Relationship with Eisner (consulting company). ABB minority investment (Nov 2022).
Our differentiation: Their agent-based modeling approach is opaque and overly complex. “There are so many factors at play, and previous studies have found that there are plenty of pitfalls after the audit (design, construction, cx), so why spend so much effort at the granular level up front?” Our empirical/actuarial approach is cleaner with more transparency. (Jason, Apr 2023)
Key intel:
- Mar 2023: Bomee flagged to take closer look
- Apr 2023: Shared NREL partnership article
- Apr 2023: Team discussion on approach differences
Status: Active - Watch closely

Tailorbird

Website: https://www.tailorbird.us/
What they do: Multifamily renovation software. Makes it easier for property owners, contractors and suppliers to renovate faster using trusted data as single source of truth.
Why interesting/relevant: Roadmap looking similar to ours. Catalyst is their investor. Related in their logos. Originally focused on garden-style apartments in suburban areas.
Our differentiation: No energy/carbon work specifically mentioned. They could expand into it but haven’t yet. (Jason, Jun 2023)
Key intel:
- Nov 2022: First noted by Bomee
- Jun 2023: “Tailorbird’s roadmap is looking quite a bit like ours. Take a look at their updated website” (Bomee)
- Jun 2023: “Although I don’t see a mention of energy/carbon work specifically, it’s not crazy for them to expand into it” (Jason)
- Catalyst is their investor (noted by Bomee)
Status: Active - Monitor expansion

Audette

Website: https://betakit.com/audette-raises-12-8-million-cad-to-level-up-decarbonization-of-buildings/
What they do: Canadian building decarbonization data company. Provides data for emissions-reduction opportunities.
Why interesting/relevant: $12.8M CAD raised (total funding ~$10.5M). Plan to cover 150 North American cities in 2 years, including 40 in Canada. Growing from 22 to 40 employees. Revenue estimated at $484.7K.
Our differentiation: We’re US-focused, NYC multifamily specific
Key intel:
- Nov 2022: Erika tracking for competitive overview
Status: Active - Expanding

Adaptis

Website: https://adaptis.ca/
What they do: Canadian circular change company. Energy modeling for building decarbonization. Requires drawings and condition assessments for analysis.
Why interesting/relevant: Alex Iskold (2048 Ventures) invested. $2M seed (Mar 2023). Blue Vision Capital and Powerhouse Ventures co-led seed.
Our differentiation: More manual energy modeling work - “a very single building type of product. More a competitor to traditional consulting engineers.” (Robin, Mar 2023) Our approach scales across portfolios.
Key intel:
- Nov 2022: Canadian shop noted
- Mar 2023: $2M seed announced
- Mar 2023: “I still don’t think they are really a direct competitor. I think they are a energie-sprong type of thing” (Bomee)
Status: Active - Indirect competitor

Buildee

Website: https://buildee.com/about-us/
What they do: Streamlined audits and building efficiency software. Very commercial focused. Serves utilities, cities, implementors, and owners.
Why interesting/relevant: Similar language to C15. BigShine pays $100k/year subscription.
Our differentiation: We focus on multifamily; they’re commercial-focused
Key intel:
- May 2023: Marc noted - “$100k per year subscription for capabilities to do streamlined audits”
Status: Active

Carbon Lighthouse

Website: https://www.carbonlighthouse.com/pricing
What they do: Commercial building energy efficiency. Moving from “magic IoT stuff” to RFP development as part of subscription. Now doing MF.
Why interesting/relevant: Potential competitor for Related portfolio. Much higher pricing than C15.
Our differentiation:
- C15 pricing: ~7500 units @ $12/unit/yr = $90k/yr
- Their pricing: ~$630k/yr for 9M SF + $230k setup
- Backed out of NYCHA pilot (didn’t want to do multifamily)
Key intel:
- Feb 2023: Marc flagged - “potential competitor for the Related portfolio”
Status: Active

Construction Management / Adjacent

ConstructConnect

Website: https://www.constructconnect.com/
What they do: Contractor subscription platform for commercial construction. Bid center, project finding.
Why interesting/relevant: Business model: charge contractors subscription (no transaction). Learned about from Big Shine Energy.
Our differentiation: Not focused on energy/decarbonization
Key intel:
- May 2023: Marc noted - “I think there is a lot here for us to learn and copy when it comes to contractor facing”
Status: Active - Reference for contractor-facing features

BuildingConnected (Autodesk)

Website: https://www.buildingconnected.com/
What they do: Cloud-based bid procurement for builders. Acquired by Autodesk.
Why interesting/relevant: Large player in construction tech space
Key intel:
- Apr 2023: Bomee shared Crunchbase financials
Status: Active (acquired)

Procore

What they do: Construction management software
Why interesting/relevant: Major CM player - “not competition per se, but just to know”
Status: Active - Industry reference

VendorPM

Website: https://vendorpm.com/
What they do: Vendor procurement and management for property managers. 6,000+ buildings, 40,000+ vendors.
Why interesting/relevant: “Very close analog to our stuff, except that we do construction, they do maintenance!” (Bomee, Mar 2023). Forum VC investor.
Our differentiation: We do construction; they do maintenance
Key intel:
- Mar 2023: “I feel like we should just take all the pointers we can from their marketing” (Bomee)
Status: Active - Reference for marketing

Slipstream (Sketchbox)

Website: https://slipstreaminc.org/sketchbox
What they do: Energy modeling tool. Concept modeling built on DOE-2 and energy code compliance.
Why interesting/relevant: Overlapping ideas with Momentum
Our differentiation: Made for new construction, not retrofits. Requires energy/building science expertise. No automatic data pulling. (Jason/Robin, Sep 2022)
Status: Active - Not direct competitor

Building Efficiency / PropTech

OPTIML

Website: https://www.optiml.com/product
What they do: End-to-end platform digitalizing real estate investment for sustainability.
Why interesting/relevant: Innovation Endeavors investor
Key intel:
- May 2023: Bomee noted
Status: Active

Buildaptive

Website: https://buildaptive.com/
What they do: Building efficiency platform for Property Managers, Auditors, Energy Analysts, and Retrofit Vendors. Automated saving calculations and mobile data collection.
Why interesting/relevant: Mentions automated saving calculations - similar capability
Our differentiation: Not direct competitor but worth knowing
Key intel:
- Jun 2023: Jason noted
Status: Active

Runwise

What they do: Building technology for improving energy efficiency. IoT focus.
Why interesting/relevant: Raised $19M Series A (Fifth Wall). Getting traction without major real estate investor backing.
Our differentiation: “We are most complementary if we get to a building first… whoever gets in first is in the driver’s seat. It is a race.” (Marc, Nov 2022)
Key intel:
- Nov 2022: Series A announced
Status: Active

Radiator Labs

What they do: Heating controls/optimization
Why interesting/relevant: About to close round (per Nov 2022)
Status: Active

Rewiring America

What they do: Nonprofit building IRA-focused marketplace. Electrification advocacy.
Why interesting/relevant: Big name potential competitor. Stacey Abrams joined as senior counsel.
Our differentiation: “NYC bigger buildings may very well be the hardest sector to electrify – highest electricity costs and highest construction costs – so I don’t see this as where any national efforts will flourish.” (Marc, Mar 2023)
Key intel:
- Mar 2023: “No one panic, but Rewiring America is building a marketplace” (Bomee)
Status: Active - Single family focus

Logical Buildings

What they do: Virtual power plants for multifamily. $110M facility.
Why interesting/relevant: Keyframe Capital partnership for NYC apartments
Key intel:
- Mar 2023: Canary Media article shared
Status: Active

Heat Pump / HVAC Focused

Woltair

Website: https://www.woltair.com/
What they do: Platform connecting contractors with homeowners for heat pumps. European focus (Czech, Germany).
Why interesting/relevant: Fifth Wall investment. “Woltair of MF” question on LinkedIn (Greystone person asked)
Our differentiation: Single family/homeowner focus vs. our MF focus
Key intel:
- Jul 2023: Marc noted Fifth Wall investment, connected with Greystone contact
Status: Active

Motili

Website: https://www.motili.com/
What they do: HVAC management technology for property owners
Key intel:
- Aug 2023: Jason noted
Status: Active

Conduit

Website: https://getconduit.com/about
What they do: HVAC contractor design-assist software
Why interesting/relevant: Collab Fund portfolio company
Status: Active

Contractor / Trades Tools

Skillit

Website: https://skillit.com/
What they do: Skilled trades employment marketplace. “LinkedIn for trades people”
Why interesting/relevant: 1Sharpe portfolio company
Status: Active

Condoit

Website: https://condoit.io/
What they do: Tech tools for electricians. EV charger installation cataloging.
Why interesting/relevant: Picus Capital portfolio company
Status: Active

Clad

Website: https://www.withclad.com/
What they do: Subcontractor management for telecom companies
Why interesting/relevant: Not competitor but interesting marketplace language
Status: Active

Incentives / Data

IncentiFind

Website: https://incentifind.com/products
What they do: Green incentives database for home improvement and commercial projects. API and web platform.
Why interesting/relevant: “Somewhat converging with us” (Bomee, Jul 2023). In Village Capital sustainability accelerator. Jeremy Potter is advisor.
Our differentiation: TBD - watching convergence
Key intel:
- Mar 2023: Kaitlin first noted
- Jul 2023: Bomee flagged convergence, Cherre offers their data as plug-in
Status: Active - Watch

Recurve

Website: https://www.recurve.com/
What they do: Meter aggregation to prove savings for utilities and aggregators. Demand flexibility.
Why interesting/relevant: Came up in IRA HOMES guidance context
Key intel:
- Aug 2023: Jason noted
Status: Active - Not competitor

European / International

Enter (Germany)

Website: https://www.enter.de/
What they do: German energy efficiency consulting and incentive service
Status: Active

Alasco (Germany)

Website: https://www.alasco.de/
What they do: Real estate financial controlling and ESG management software
Why interesting/relevant: Picus Capital portfolio company
Status: Active

Lun

Website: https://lun.energy/
What they do: Decarbonizing homes faster
Key intel:
- Aug 2023: Jason noted
Status: Active

Other / Non-Competitors Worth Knowing

Siradel

Website: https://www.siradel.com/
What they do: Digital twins for territories. City-level strategic planning, EV charger siting.
Why interesting/relevant: Not competitor but interesting use case for utilities
Key intel:
- Apr 2023: Jason got demo
Status: Active - Not competitor

Northspyre

Website: https://www.northspyre.com/
What they do: Proactive intelligence for real estate development. Project planning, bidding, vendor marketplace.
Why interesting/relevant: New construction focus but great language. Address pitfalls: gut instinct, information silos, spreadsheet errors.
Status: Active - Language reference

Cherre

Website: https://cherre.com/
What they do: PropTech data platform
Why interesting/relevant: May be worth looking into more
Key intel:
- Oct 2022: Jason noted
Status: Active

Happy Co

Website: https://happy.co/
What they do: Inspection app that Freddie Mac forces underwriters to use
Status: Active

Planon

Website: https://planonsoftware.com/us/
What they do: Smart workplace management platform. Real estate portfolio optimization, sustainability.
Why interesting/relevant: Some talking points potentially overlap
Status: Active

URBANMIX

Website: https://www.urbanmix.tech/
What they do: TBD (not much detail)
Why interesting/relevant: Newlab cohort company
Key intel:
- Aug 2023: “Met her, didn’t get the impression that they know what they’re doing” (Bomee)
Status: Watch

Augmenta

Website: https://www.augmenta.ai/about
What they do: Generative MEP design for fully constructible and code compliant designs
Key intel:
- Sep 2023: Shared by Alison Novak
Status: Active

Construction Fintech

Constrafor

Website: https://www.constrafor.com/
What they do: Construction procurement and financial services. Accelerated payment for subcontractors (60 days to 1 day).
Why interesting/relevant: Big raise - $106M
Status: Active

CoFi

Website: https://newfundcap.com/company/cofi
What they do: Construction draws/loan automation
Status: Active

Briq

Website: https://www.briq.com/
What they do: Financial automation platform for construction
Why interesting/relevant: Listed as “construction vertical saas-fintech” by Cowboy VC
Status: Active

Built

Website: https://getbuilt.com/
What they do: Platform for real estate construction finance
Status: Active

Property Management Software (Not Direct Competitors)

Buildium

Website: https://www.buildium.com/
What they do: Property management software
Why interesting/relevant: PropTech in PM space. Could develop toward competition or channel.
Status: Active

Plentific

What they do: PropTech platform
Why interesting/relevant: “Seems like Site Compli In Check competition more than us” (Bomee, Jul 2023)
Status: Active

Market Insights

Pricing Intelligence

ConstructConnect: Subscription model to contractors (no transaction)
Carbon Lighthouse: $0.07/SF/yr + $10k/building setup
Buildee: ~$100k/year subscription
C15: ~$12/unit/year

Investment Activity

Fifth Wall: Invested in Runwise, Woltair
Catalyst: Invested in Tailorbird
2048 Ventures (Alex Iskold): Invested in Adaptis
Picus Capital: Invested in Alasco, Condoit
Collab Fund: Invested in Conduit
Innovation Endeavors: Invested in OPTIML
Forum VC: Invested in VendorPM

Key Resources

Competitive landscape spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pHEWxvNsE6utIvn8k2xwqonkWwch2Nb4Ah0lpytRwag/edit#gid=0
Competitive landscape slides: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Bw5OmCXd37L_8WrlenzRef9ulGS0KBP0SSPWS5yBrCM/edit
ClimateTech for Real Estate whitepaper: https://kleinmanenergy.upenn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/KCEP-Climate-Tech-for-Real-Estate.pdf

How We Position Against Common Comparisons

vs. Agent-Based Modeling (Tallarna)

Our empirical/actuarial approach is cleaner with more transparency
Agent-based modeling can be opaque to customers
Previous studies show pitfalls occur after audit (design, construction, cx) - so why over-invest in granular front-end modeling?

vs. Single-Family Focused Players (Rewiring America, Woltair, BlocPower)

NYC bigger buildings are the hardest sector to electrify (highest electricity costs + highest construction costs)
National efforts will flourish elsewhere; we’re focused on the hard problem

vs. Commercial-Focused Players (Carbon Lighthouse, Buildee)

We’re multifamily specialists
Carbon Lighthouse backed out of NYCHA pilot because they didn’t want to do MF

vs. General Renovation Software (Tailorbird)

We do energy/carbon work specifically
They focus on general renovation scope; we focus on decarbonization outcomes

vs. Traditional Consulting Engineers (Adaptis)

We scale across portfolios; they’re single-building focused
Our approach requires less manual energy modeling work

Sources

Sources: C15 Slack #biz-competitive_landscape channel (2022-2023)

Internal & Confidential: This page is only available in the internal handbook and contains confidential information.