Cascade AI Secures $3.5M for Predictive Bids

New York City, NY, July 21, 2026, Cascade, an AI pursuit platform for architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) firms, has secured $3.5 million in funding. The round included investments from Andreessen Horowitz Speedrun, Ada Ventures, Blitzscaling Ventures, Indico Capital, shuckerVC, G2C Ventures, and Snowball VC.

The funding aims to accelerate the adoption of Cascade's technology, which helps firms predict future construction projects and secure more bids. This AEC industry technology startup has already enabled customers to identify over $10 billion in project opportunities.

Predicting Projects Before the RFP

Cascade's core innovation lies in its ability to detect nascent project opportunities. Long before a Request for Proposal (RFP) is issued, significant projects leave digital breadcrumbs. These include bond filings, property transactions, capital plans, and budget announcements.

The platform continuously monitors these diverse data streams. It connects these signals to indicate where new work is forming, its nature, and which firms might be best positioned to win it. This proactive approach to AI in construction project prediction offers a critical advantage.

Hannia Zia, co-founder and CEO of Cascade, emphasized the platform's direct impact on revenue. "Every firm we work with can point to a project they should have won but never even had a chance to see," Zia stated.

The current tools used in the construction industry typically miss these early indicators. Tim Johannesson, Principal at luxury architecture firm Smallwood, highlighted this gap: "A project broke ground a few blocks away from me. I’ve been in the industry for 30 years, I didn’t even know it was out for bid." Cascade has since helped Smallwood secure a $6 million project it would have otherwise missed.

Built by AI Veterans

Cascade was co-founded by Hannia Zia and Joana Ferreira, both former Google operators who honed their skills at UnlikelyAI, the startup founded by the inventor of Amazon Alexa. Zia served as VP of Product, while Ferreira led the AI platform, developing a knowledge graph and training LLM agents.

Ferreira draws parallels between their work and financial market analytics. "Hedge funds look at a crazy amount of data to predict stock movements," she noted. "We use the same logic to predict construction projects."

The platform not only anticipates projects but also scores each for suitability, ensuring firms pursue high-probability wins. It integrates with existing software like Outlook to identify warm leads through existing relationships.

Alan Ruth, President and CEO of S.A. Casey Construction, praised Cascade's impact. "The platform continues to improve, and a single successful project can deliver a return that exceeds the cost for years," Ruth commented.

Network Effects and Future Ambition

The company's ambition extends beyond individual project wins. As more firms adopt Cascade AI construction, the platform strengthens its network. It facilitates connections for teaming opportunities, partner identification, and regional expansion.

Marcus Segal, an investor at Andreessen Horowitz Speedrun, recognized the market potential. "Construction is one of the largest markets in the world, and the way firms find and win work has barely changed in decades," Segal said. "Cascade starts with a painful revenue problem. That is a powerful wedge into how construction work gets pursued, partnered on and delivered."

The founders' personal connection to the industry further informs their approach. Joana Ferreira grew up in a Portuguese town rooted in construction, while Hannia Zia's father's construction business failed. These experiences underscore their commitment to transforming an industry ripe for technological disruption.