Podium, a Singapore cloud-based digital platform, has on Thursday announced the successful first close of its Series A-1 funding round, raising S$20.4 million ($15.2 million).

The round was led by a global software firm Autodesk, and participated by Swiss escalators manufacturer Schindler, Podium said in a statement.

Podium said the investments made by Autodesk and other Series A-1 round participants underscore strong collective confidence in the firm’s ability to accelerate digital transformation in the built environment.

With this new capital infusion, Podium will accelerate growth in key markets, including Singapore and Australia, where the company is in advanced discussions with property developers, design consultants, supply chain partners and government agencies.

“Our Series A-1 funding marks a significant milestone in Podium’s journey to reshape the built environment industry,

“With Autodesk’s support, we are well-positioned to further scale our platform and continue driving innovation across the entire property lifecycle—from design to supply chain integration and building delivery,” said Pankaj Srivastava, Chief Executive Officer, Podium.

Founded in Singapore with offices in Sydney and Silicon Valley, Podium is a cloud-based digital platform for industrialized construction and Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA).

The firm’s innovative software as a service (SaaS) platform accelerates the design-to-supply process by automating workflows to achieve outcome-based design milestones.

This enables stakeholders to optimize designs with real-time insights into cost, time, buildability, and sustainability.

Through API connections and integrating a DfMA-ready “kit of parts” defined directly by suppliers, Podium provides instant feedback, aligning briefed outcomes with design intent.

According to the statement, the global demand for sustainable buildings is expected to reach S$748 billion ($557 billion) in Asia alone by 2028, while construction demand is projected to hit S$38 billion ($28.31 billion) by the same year.

Podium’s platform addresses the critical challenges facing the built environment today, including low productivity, high waste, cost inefficiencies, and the growing need for sustainable building practices.

“Autodesk’s investment in Podium represents a significant step forward in our commitment to advancing outcome-based building information modelin (BIM) for the architecture, engineering, construction and operations (AECO) industry,

“While Autodesk Forma provides planning and early-stage building and site design for architects, Podium’s engineering capabilities in Structure & MEP that advance the manufacturability of buildings are a natural progression towards our vision to streamline processes across the project lifecycle,” said Nicolas Mangon, Vice President of AEC Industry Strategy, Autodesk.

“We’re excited to serve as a supporter of Podium’s work and its critical impact to realizing a smarter, more sustainable way of designing and making the built environment,” he added.

As the leading investor for the Series A-1 funding round, Autodesk joins Podium in recognizing the rapid transformation taking place within the AECO industry – as well as the challenges and opportunities that transformation introduces for industry professionals.

Autodesk’s investment in Podium emphasizes an aligned mission to support AECO professionals with outcome-based BIM software solutions.

“Digitalization is a game changer for the construction industry by enhancing efficiency, safety, and sustainability across the value chain,

“Schindler is excited to join Lendlease and other strategic investors in supporting Podium’s venture to accelerate the much-anticipated transformation of urban spaces,” said Robert Seakins, member of the Schindler Group Executive Committee responsible for Asia-Pacific.

According to the statement, the Series A-1 round, bolstered by participation from Schindler, demonstrates strong investor confidence in Podium’s transformative potential.

It noted this strategic investment not only validates Podium’s innovative approach but also reflects significant benefits for suppliers within the construction ecosystem.

In addition, Podium is collaborating with JTC Corporation to further optimize the design process while reducing the risk of issues further downstream, such as conflicting design code requirements and inadequate coordination between Architectural, Civil and Structural and Mechanical and Electrical disciplines.

Podium was established by Australian property and investment group Lendlease as a transformative digital ecosystem to connect developers, designers and the supply chain.

The Series A-1 funding round, which has attracted international investment, demonstrates strong momentum for the platform, with Lendlease remaining an investor.

#DigitalTransformation #ConstructionTech #Sustainability #BuiltEnvironment #Innovation #Ifvex