covetool

Based in Atlanta, Georgia, covetool is a technology company that develops an automated building design platform for architectural and engineering firms to optimize energy performance, carbon emissions, and construction costs. The cloud-based software utilizes machine learning algorithms to simulate thousands of design variations, helping commercial real estate developers and designers meet strict sustainability targets and regulatory compliance standards. The platform is currently utilized by major global architecture and construction firms, including recognizable industry names such as Skanska, HOK, and Perkins&Will. To support its ongoing expansion and product development initiatives, the enterprise has raised over $30 million in venture capital funding. This financial backing is highlighted by a Series B investment round led by Coatue Management, alongside strategic participation from Microsoft's M12 venture fund. Covetool was officially founded in 2017 by Sandeep Ahuja, Patrick Chopson, and Daniel Chopson.

High-Level Overview

cove.tool, now rebranded as cove, is an AI-powered architecture and sustainability consulting firm that provides software tools and expert services to optimize building design, construction, and decarbonization in the AEC (architecture, engineering, construction) industry.[1][4][6] It serves architects, design teams, building product manufacturers, developers, and real estate owners by solving inefficiencies like fragmented workflows, project delays, high carbon emissions (buildings account for 40% of global emissions), and poor ROI through data-driven simulations, AI automation, and collaborative platforms.[1][3][6] The company has raised $35.7M in funding, employs 50-75 people in Atlanta, GA, and was named to TIME’s 2024 Top GreenTech Companies list, demonstrating strong growth momentum with products like revgen.tool and integrations such as Building Transparency’s EC3 for embodied carbon analysis.[2][3][4]

Origin Story

cove.tool originated from tools developed by Pattern r+d, a sustainability consulting firm founded by co-founders Patrick Chopson and Sandeep Ahuja, both building scientists and licensed architects.[1] Daniel Chopson later joined, applying his SaaS expertise to scale these into web-based software, launching cove.tool to democratize building performance analysis.[1] Key early traction included 2022 product expansions like refreshed drawing.tool for 3D modeling and the launch of revgen.tool for manufacturers, alongside growth fueled by U.S. Inflation Reduction Act funding and rising embodied carbon regulations.[3] By 2025, it rebranded to cove, evolving from software-only to a full-service AI-driven architecture firm under CEO Sandeep Ahuja and CPO Patrick Chopson, with over 500 million square feet analyzed and 200+ on-time projects.[4][6]

Core Differentiators

• AI-Powered Platform and Services: Proprietary cloud-based tools (e.g., drawing.tool, revgen.tool) enable real-time simulations for energy, cost, carbon, and geometry, integrating across teams for interoperability and breaking silos in design/construction cycles.[1][3][5]
• Full-Service Consultancy: Combines software with expert architecture services for sustainability consulting, compliance, cost estimation, and zoning approvals, automating weeks of manual work while prioritizing human creativity.[4][6]
• Data-Driven Insights and Speed: Analyzes performance rapidly and cost-effectively, fostering collaboration, reducing risks, and boosting productivity; free browser-based tools lower barriers for AEC pros.[1][3][6]
• Proven Impact and Recognition: 50-75 employees, $12.6M revenue, partnerships like EC3 integration, and accolades like TIME’s GreenTech list highlight reliability across residential, hospitality, and industrial projects.[2][4]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

cove rides the wave of AI disruption in AEC, where buildings drive 40% of global emissions amid regulations like U.S. SEC embodied carbon rules and EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, unlocking $268B in industry productivity.[1][3] Timing aligns with climate action mandates (e.g., Inflation Reduction Act's $11B+ for buildings) and AI's ability to address trillion-dollar global inefficiencies from siloed workflows and delays.[3][4][6] Market forces like GreenTech demand and real estate pressures for faster, sustainable designs favor cove, influencing the ecosystem by standardizing data-sharing, enabling rapid decarbonization, and empowering manufacturers/architects with validated simulations.[1][2][3]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

cove is positioned to lead AI-augmented architecture, expanding from tools to end-to-end services that automate design risks and scale decarbonization. Trends like stricter carbon regs, AI workflow automation, and real estate tech integration will propel growth, potentially influencing AEC standards through proprietary data and 500M+ sq ft of insights. As it disrupts fragmented processes, cove could redefine building outcomes—delivering smarter, greener real estate from concept to construction.[4][6]