Monterra

High-Level Overview

Monterra is a San Francisco-based software company founded in 2023 that builds a platform automating design, planning, and quoting for EV charging installations.[1][2][4] It serves EV charging professionals, installers, and turnkey providers, solving inefficiencies in manual project quoting, site data collection, and proposal generation by enabling virtual estimates and customer-ready proposals in minutes.[1][2][4] With $2.5M in pre-seed funding from Base10 Partners and 9 employees, Monterra has gained early traction onboarding electrical contractors since its August 2023 launch, positioning it for growth in the booming EV infrastructure market.[1][2]

Origin Story

Monterra Technology Inc. was co-founded in 2022 (with public launch in 2023) by David Kim and Kelson Reiss.[2] Kim brings expertise from working with utilities and energy companies on EV charging programs, smart grid infrastructure, and energy efficiency initiatives, while Reiss offers product and technical experience from shipping software to millions at leading tech firms.[2] The idea emerged from recognizing the complexity of EV charging projects—such as selecting conduits, wires, and verifying cell signals—and the need for software to cut "soft costs" through automation.[2] Early traction included onboarding contractors via a mobile app for digitizing site data, leading to the $2.5M pre-seed round in late 2023 to expand the team and product.[1][2]

Core Differentiators

• Automated Design & Quoting: Generates accurate virtual project quotes in minutes using streamlined data organization, replacing hours of manual work and boosting sales win rates.[1][2][4]
• Mobile Site Data Capture: Digitizes on-site collection for installers, integrating seamlessly into planning workflows from design to post-installation maintenance.[2]
• AI-Driven Efficiency: Leverages software and AI to handle project complexities like wiring and signal verification, reducing soft costs in large-scale EV deployments.[2]
• Installer-Focused UX: Tailored for contractors with easy proposal creation, serving as a business development tool to pursue high-value opportunities.[2]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Monterra rides the explosive growth of EV adoption, where swift charger deployment is critical amid global pushes for electrification and infrastructure buildout.[2][5] Its timing aligns with surging demand for EV charging—projected to tap billions in opportunities—as governments and utilities incentivize networks, but installers face bottlenecks in planning and soft costs.[2] Market forces like policy-driven EV mandates and supply chain scaling favor Monterra, enabling faster project turnaround to meet deployment targets.[2] By streamlining installer workflows, it influences the ecosystem as a key enabler, bridging hardware providers, contractors, and end-users to accelerate the transition to widespread charging infrastructure.[1][2][4]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Monterra is poised to expand its platform across full EV project lifecycles, using funding to hire talent and enhance AI features for maintenance and scaling.[2] Trends like rising EV sales, federal infrastructure grants, and AI optimization in cleantech will propel its growth, potentially capturing a slice of the multi-billion-dollar installation market.[2] Its influence may evolve from niche tool to industry standard, as more installers adopt it to outpace competitors in a race to electrify transportation—transforming Monterra from early-stage innovator to essential EV infrastructure backbone.[1][2]