Daniel Pelaez, co-founder and CEO of Cyvl.ai, embarked on a journey to revolutionize transportation infrastructure management after noticing the lack of digital tools during his summer job at a public works department. His vision, now backed by a $6 million investment, aims to bring a digital layer to tracking road repairs and maintenance.
The funding round was led by Companyon Ventures, with participation from Argon Ventures, AeroX Ventures, and Alumni Ventures. “What is truly impressive about the Cyvl team is how they managed to find true product/market fit by collaborating with civil engineering firms in the field for a hands-on understanding of their needs,” said Firas Raouf, general partner at Companyon Ventures. “
Based in Boston, Cyvl.ai focuses on helping municipalities and civil engineering firms enhance the management of transportation infrastructure, spanning roads, highways, sidewalks, airports, and rail systems.
Utilizing sensors that create digital twins of infrastructure components, such as roads, the startup identifies weaknesses and predicts repair needs through lidar, cameras, and sensors, powered by data analytics and geospatial AI.
The core mission is to empower stakeholders with comprehensive data insights, enabling data-driven decision-making in infrastructure development and maintenance. While selling to governments presents challenges, Cyvl.ai navigates this by partnering with external civil engineering firms, leveraging their influence to advocate for the adoption of digital solutions.
With nearly 200 cities and towns already onboarded and generating close to $2 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) within just 2.5 years of operation, Cyvl.ai’s approach is proving successful. Despite initial resistance to digital transformation, the company’s focus on delivering tangible benefits and cost-effectiveness is driving adoption.
Pelaez emphasizes the importance of building a diverse workforce, drawing from his own immigrant background and journey through college.