Cohesion

What Cohesion does

Cohesion (legal entity cohesionIB, Inc., Delaware) is a Chicago-based software company that operates a vertically integrated smart building SaaS platform for commercial real estate and large enterprises. Founded in 2017 as a spin-off from a mechanical engineering firm, the company was established to bridge tenant-facing applications with legacy building systems, and is led by CEO and co-founder Thru Shivakumar alongside CTO and co-founder Nik Patel.

The platform unifies three end-user application products — Smart Access (digital credentialing and enterprise RBAC), Smart Experience (tenant engagement and space interactions), and Smart Maintenance (proactive building operations) — on top of an AI-powered data platform called Savvy that aggregates real-time data from building systems, sensors, and external sources for portfolio analytics. Technical differentiators include BACnet integration for lighting and HVAC interoperability, deep integration with HID's Origo platform for mobile access and PIAM, digital twin technology for building environment simulation, and a white-label component system for branded tenant apps. Cohesion holds patented technology and has achieved ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type II, WiredScore, and UL Smart System Verified Platinum certifications.

The company sells through an enterprise field-sales motion with quote-based annual subscriptions, targeting CRE owners and operators (CoStar, CBRE, JLL, RMR Group, Transwestern, John Buck, GCM, JMB, Riverside, Alight, Chapman) and enterprise tenants (Morgan Stanley). Distribution is extended through an HID Elite Partnership, integrator channel partners, and a flagship showcase at The Ion in Houston. Cohesion has raised approximately $30 million across four funding rounds from 2018 to 2023, with strategic backing from Microsoft, Hearst, and Walmart alongside lead investors Morgan Stanley Next Level Fund and Hyde Park Angels.

Name

Cohesion

Legal name

cohesionIB, Inc.

Website

https://cohesionib.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Cohesion is a Chicago-based SaaS company offering a smart building platform that unifies access control, tenant experience, maintenance, and AI-powered portfolio analytics. It serves commercial real estate owners, operators, and enterprise customers such as JLL, CBRE, and Morgan Stanley.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Smart Building Software

NAICS

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518210), Architectural Services (541310)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Smart Building Software Platforms (IWMS/CAFM Integration, Digital Twin, Command Center) (BPABAGAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Occupant Experience & Smart Workplace Apps (Room/Desk Booking, Comfort Feedback) (BPABAGAO)

Keywords

• Smart building software
• Building IoT platform
• Access control systems
• Tenant experience software
• Building analytics platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Operations

Revenue model

1. SaaS Platform Subscription: Cohesion operates as a SaaS company providing a smart building platform. The platform includes end-user applications (Smart Access, Smart Experience, Smart Maintenance), a data platform (Savvy), and advisory services. Revenue is generated through software subscriptions typically sold to commercial real estate owners/operators and enterprise tenants on multi-year contracts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Cohesion provides a vertically integrated smart building SaaS platform that unifies building systems (access control, HVAC, lighting via BACnet), tenant-facing applications, and AI-powered analytics. The platform is sold as a subscription to commercial real estate owners, operators, and enterprise tenants, combining three end-user applications (Smart Access, Smart Experience, Smart Maintenance) with a data platform (Savvy) and advisory services.

Product overview

Cohesion offers a unified smart building technology platform — the Intelligent Building Platform — comprising three core end-user application products (Smart Access, Smart Experience, Smart Maintenance) layered on top of an AI-powered data platform called Savvy. Additional offerings include SpacePulse (space planning insights service), Smart Building Advisory (consulting), and spotlight features (Cloud Access Portal, Digital Wallet, Visitor Management). The platform integrates building systems, people, and spaces for commercial real estate and enterprise organizations, enabling access control, tenant experience, maintenance operations, and data-driven portfolio optimization through a single connected system.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Savvy: A real-time, real estate data platform that gives business leaders live insights to boost the value and performance of their real estate portfolio.
• SpacePulse

Products and services

• Smart Access Modernizes and standardizes physical access control systems for commercial real estate and enterprise tenants, enabling digital credential management, enterprise role-based access control (RBAC), and mobile-first access across multiple building systems. Designed for CRE owners, operators, facility managers, and corporate security teams.
• Smart Experience Transforms tenant and occupant interactions with spaces through seamless digital experiences, including concierge services, space booking, and mobile-first engagement features. Targets CRE owners, operators, and enterprise tenants seeking to elevate occupant experience.
• Smart Maintenance Connects maintenance workflows to building systems data to drive operational excellence through proactive issue detection, anomaly identification, and predictive maintenance across building operations. Designed for facility management and operations teams.
• Savvy AI-powered real-time real estate data platform (sub-brand of Cohesion) that centralizes data from building systems, sensors, and external sources into a unified smart building platform, providing live insights, predictive analytics, and a generative-AI assistant for portfolio performance analysis. Targeted at business leaders, CRE operators, and enterprise real estate teams.
• SpacePulse Turnkey space planning and insights service (sub-brand of Cohesion) that gives teams the data and analysis needed to plan spaces confidently, determine the ideal space mix, and invest where it matters most. Targeted at CRE and enterprise real estate planning teams.
• Smart Building Advisory Consulting and advisory service covering smart building planning, solution design, deployment, portfolio strategy, and system integrations for CRE owners, operators, and enterprise occupiers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Enterprises invest up to 15% of operating costs in real estate and up to 70% on labor - Cohesion helps optimize both
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, strategic and core.

• HIDflagshipTechnology or Integration · 22 October 2025Cohesion named HID Elite Partner, joining an exclusive group of five global partners to deliver enterprise-grade mobile access and PIAM (Physical Identity and Access Management) solutions. Enables deep integration with HID Origo platform for mobile-first access across multiple building systems.
• MicrosoftstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 November 2021Strategic partner participating in Series A round. Microsoft provides cloud infrastructure and ecosystem support for Cohesion's smart building platform.
• HearststrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 November 2021Strategic partner participating in Series A round. Hearst is a diversified media and information company with significant real estate holdings.
• WalmartstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 November 2021Strategic partner participating in Series A round. Walmart's participation signals interest in smart building technology for retail and corporate real estate applications.
• The IoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHouston's innovation hub featuring a partnership between Cohesion and HID to deliver seamless user experience, showcasing the integrated smart building platform in a flagship building.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• HqO: HqO is a smart building tenant experience and operations platform offering workplace apps, access integrations, and analytics for commercial real estate — directly comparable to Cohesion's Smart Experience and Savvy offerings.
• KODE Labs: KODE Labs provides a smart building OS that unifies building systems, IoT data, and AI analytics for commercial real estate — closely overlapping with Cohesion's integrated platform and digital twin strategy.
• Building Engines (JLL subsidiary): Building Engines offers a CRE operations platform including tenant experience and building analytics; now owned by JLL (a Cohesion customer), it represents both a peer and a potential channel/competitive channel conflict.
• SmartRent: SmartRent delivers smart building and access control software for multifamily and commercial properties, overlapping with Cohesion's Smart Access and unified building platform capabilities.

Broad incumbents

• Honeywell Building Technologies (Honeywell Forge): Honeywell Forge is a large incumbent building management and analytics suite covering access, HVAC, energy, and occupant experience — overlapping with Cohesion but as part of a much broader industrial and building portfolio.
• Siemens Smart Infrastructure: Siemens offers building operations, access, and digital twin platforms (Building X) — a broad incumbent competing with Cohesion across commercial real estate and enterprise customers globally.
• Johnson Controls OpenBlue: Johnson Controls' OpenBlue platform integrates building systems, access, and AI analytics for enterprise and CRE — a large incumbent with overlapping smart building capabilities.
• Schneider Electric EcoStruxure: Schneider Electric's EcoStruxure Building Operation is a BMS and analytics platform that overlaps directly with Cohesion's integration-and-analytics thesis across enterprise real estate.

Emerging players

• 75F: 75F provides IoT-based building management with smart HVAC, lighting, and air quality controls — an emerging player whose vertical intersects with Cohesion's Smart Maintenance and BACnet-integrated offerings.
• Verkada: Verkada offers cloud-based physical security (cameras, access control, sensors) with a unified SaaS platform — adjacent overlap with Cohesion's Smart Access and unified building platform, particularly with enterprise tenants.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cohesionIB
• Facebookfacebook.com/cohesionsmartbuildings
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cohesionib

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors7 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cohesion