A few degrees of temperature change in commercial buildings can mean critical issues in hospital operating rooms, spoiled inventory in warehouses, or data center failures. Commercial contractors manage these vital systems, yet they’ve long relied on outdated tools and software designed for residential work that doesn’t address their complex needs. BuildOps has developed an all-in-one business platform specifically for commercial contractors. Their solution streamlines scheduling, dispatch, project management, and maintenance into a single system, allowing HVAC specialists, electricians, plumbers, and other skilled trades to optimize operations and manage complex commercial jobs efficiently. By replacing disconnected systems with purpose-built technology, BuildOps helps contractors across multiple specialties improve productivity and profitability.
LA TechWatch sat down with BuildOps CEO and Founder Alok Chanani to learn more about the business, its future plans, and latest funding, bringing the company’s total funding to $225.8M.
Who were your investors and how much did you raise?
We recently raised $127M in our Series C funding round, led by Meritech Capital Partners. New investors included BOND and SE Ventures. Our existing investors, Fika Ventures, Next47, StepStone Group, and Titanium Ventures, also participated. Earlier investors in BuildOps include 01A, Founders Fund, B Capital, MetaProp, 137 Ventures, and Liquid2.
This latest Series C round brings BuildOps to unicorn status, achieving a valuation of $1B.
Tell us about your product or service.
BuildOps is an all-in-one business platform built exclusively for commercial contractors. We unify essential business functions like scheduling, dispatch, project management, invoicing, financial reporting, and predictive maintenance into a single, streamlined solution. Our AI-driven tools allow contractors to anticipate maintenance needs, optimize technician productivity, and ensure efficient workflows across their entire operation. Instead of relying on outdated residential software or manual processes that slow them down, contractors now have technology built specifically to manage the complexities of commercial jobs—giving them the control and efficiency they need to grow profitably and stay ahead of the competition.
What inspired the start of BuildOps?
BuildOps was inspired by the huge gap in technology that commercial contractors face every day. I previously worked with contractors and experienced firsthand how commercial contractors struggled with inefficient processes, outdated software, and endless paperwork. Together with cofounder Steve Chew, who brought deep experience in enterprise software, I saw an opportunity to build a platform specifically tailored to commercial contracting businesses. Rather than adapting residential software or general-purpose solutions, we decided to create something entirely new—a powerful, AI-driven system built from the ground up to simplify and streamline contractor operations. Our mission was born from this frustration: we wanted to empower these contractors—the unsung heroes who keep our hospitals, schools, data centers, and infrastructure running—to finally have technology worthy of their critical role in society.
How is it different?
Most field service software was designed for residential contractors—not commercial ones. That’s a huge difference. Residential contractors typically handle short, one-and-done jobs, whereas commercial contractors manage greater complexity, long-term projects, and ongoing maintenance contracts. They need something built specifically for that complexity. That’s where BuildOps shines. We’re not just another software tool; we’re the entire backbone designed exclusively for commercial contractors—combining service, projects, dispatch, and financials into one seamless platform. No more juggling five different systems. No more wasted time. Just a smarter way to run their business.
What market are you targeting and how big is it?
We’re targeting the commercial contracting industry, which includes businesses like HVAC and mechanical contractors, electricians, plumbers, refrigeration specialists, and other skilled trades responsible for building and maintaining commercial facilities. In the United States alone, this market generates nearly $300B annually and employs hundreds of thousands of skilled workers. It’s a massive, highly fragmented market that has long been underserved by technology, yet it’s crucial to the everyday functioning of our society—from hospitals and schools to data centers and public infrastructure. Globally, commercial construction and contracting are projected to surpass $2.5T by 2030, indicating tremendous growth potential. We see an enormous opportunity to transform this industry by helping contractors modernize operations and achieve new levels of efficiency and profitability.
What’s your business model?
Our business model is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) subscription. Commercial contractors subscribe to our platform, typically paying a monthly or annual fee based on the size of their operation, the number of users, and the specific product modules they choose. This model directly aligns with their business success—the more they use BuildOps to streamline operations and increase profitability, the greater the value they receive from our partnership. We designed this approach intentionally, as it allows us to grow alongside our customers and continuously invest in new features, enhancements, and AI capabilities that help contractors stay ahead in an increasingly competitive market.
How has the business changed since we last spoke after your Series A round in 2022?
Since our Series A round in 2022, BuildOps has evolved dramatically. Back then, we were primarily focused on building foundational features, expanding our initial customer base, and proving the value of our platform in the market. Today, after raising our $127 million Series C and achieving unicorn status, we’ve significantly expanded our capabilities—adding advanced AI-driven features like predictive maintenance, smart dispatch, and real-time analytics, which provide contractors unprecedented control over their operations.
From a financial standpoint, we’ve continued to accelerate rapidly. We more than doubled our revenue in both 2023 and 2024, and we’re planning to sustain this aggressive growth trajectory through 2025. While we’re intentionally prioritizing scale by reinvesting heavily in product innovation, talent, and customer happiness rather than short-term profitability, our sustained 100% year-over-year growth underscores the strength of our approach and the significant market demand for specialized commercial contractor solutions. Our core vision remains consistent, but we’re now executing at a much greater scale, firmly positioned as the category leader and actively shaping the future of commercial contracting software.
What was the funding process like?
The funding process was extremely positive—reflecting both the strength of our traction and the growing interest in commercial trades. We found ourselves in a fortunate position, with multiple firms expressing strong interest, which allowed us to choose investors deeply aligned with our long-term vision.
Meritech Capital Partners quickly stood out because they recognized the uniqueness of our platform and shared our passion for supporting the commercial contracting industry. The discussions were highly collaborative, revolving around our growth plans, our roadmap for AI-driven innovation, and how additional capital could accelerate our mission. We were also excited to welcome new investors like BOND and SE Ventures in this round, alongside continued support from existing investors who enthusiastically increased their commitments.
Ultimately, it felt like more than just a fundraising process—it was validation that BuildOps is solving a real and urgent problem, and that top-tier investors deeply believe in our approach and potential to transform this market.
What are the biggest challenges that you faced while raising capital?
One of the biggest challenges we faced while raising capital was effectively communicating why the commercial trade contractor market was ripe for disruption, especially since venture capital has traditionally overlooked it. Many investors initially didn’t fully understand the scale, complexity, or potential of this market—partly because it has been underserved by technology for so long. We had to invest significant effort in educating investors about the unique challenges contractors face, the tangible inefficiencies impacting their profitability, and precisely how our solution addresses these pain points.
Additionally, raising a Series C round at the scale we did—especially given current market conditions—required careful selection of strategic investors who understood our long-term vision and shared our belief in aggressively investing for future market leadership, even though we aren’t yet profitable. Aligning with partners who embraced this approach and fully supported our ambition to reshape the commercial contracting industry was critical to our success.
What factors about your business led your investors to write the check?
Three things: growth, product, and team. Our revenue and customer base have been growing at extraordinary rates, clearly proving there’s massive demand. Our product is truly one-of-a-kind—it solves real problems in ways no one else can. Finally, we’ve built an exceptional team of industry experts, tech veterans, and passionate operators who deeply understand how to scale this business. That combination made investors excited to bet on us.
Three things: growth, product, and team. Our revenue and customer base have been growing at extraordinary rates, clearly proving there’s massive demand. Our product is truly one-of-a-kind—it solves real problems in ways no one else can. Finally, we’ve built an exceptional team of industry experts, tech veterans, and passionate operators who deeply understand how to scale this business. That combination made investors excited to bet on us.
What are the milestones you plan to achieve in the next six months?
We’re rolling out game-changing, AI-powered features to help contractors anticipate maintenance needs, reduce downtime, and boost efficiency. We’re also aggressively expanding our customer-focused initiatives, doubling down on customer success and implementation efforts to ensure every contractor receives maximum value from the platform right from the start. And, of course, we’re hiring—growing our engineering, product, and support teams to keep pace with increasing demand.
What advice can you offer companies in Los Angeles that do not have a fresh injection of capital in the bank?
Control what you can control. Funding is great, but it’s not everything. Focus relentlessly on your customers. If you build something people genuinely can’t live without, you won’t need millions to succeed. Get creative, optimize the resources you already have, and—most importantly—avoid burning money on things that don’t truly move the needle. Scrappy, focused companies win, funding or not.
Where do you see the company going now over the near term?
We’re going big—more AI, more features, and more tools to help our customers win and cement BuildOps as the gold standard for commercial contractors. We’re making BuildOps indispensable—the kind of platform no contractor can imagine running their business without. We’re here to completely change the game.
What’s your favorite spring destination in and around LA?
My favorite spring destination around LA has to be Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge. There’s nothing quite like strolling among blooming tulips, vibrant azaleas, and iconic cherry blossoms at peak season—it’s an incredible place to enjoy springtime outdoors, relax, and recharge away from the city’s hustle.
