What HOWBUILD does

HOWBUILD (하우빌드) is a South Korean construction technology company founded in 2003 that operates a digital platform connecting three sides of the Korean construction market — building owners, architects, and construction companies. The platform spans the full project lifecycle from business feasibility analysis and design matching through competitive bidding, BIM-based construction management, and post-completion real estate consulting. Its proprietary technology stack includes Pre-Build (BIM-based 3D quantity takeoff), Smacon (integrated quantity takeoff + 3D BIM + construction management), Howbuild Sketch (a free 3D design proposal tool with automated regulatory compliance), and a patented escrow-based Construction Payment Safety Management system operated with Woori Bank and Hana Bank.

The company monetizes primarily through professional services fees — One-Stop PM at 3 million KRW base plus 1.5–3% of construction costs, and Construction Management (CM) at 0.3–3% of construction costs — supplemented by subscription and platform participation fees from the Archi-here (architect and bidding) marketplaces and Smacon. Distribution combines direct sales consultation (phone at 1600-9580 and dedicated PM managers) with self-serve digital platforms (archi-here.howbuild.com, smacon.howbuild.com, sketch.howbuild.com) and content marketing via the corporate website, blog, and YouTube channel. Total construction costs managed through the platform have crossed the 1 trillion KRW milestone, and the company is venture-backed by Hana Ventures, SoftBank Ventures Asia, and Murex Partners, with a Series B bridge round closed in August 2023.

The company is headquartered in Gangnam-gu, Seoul with an additional office in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, employs 51–100 people, and operates exclusively within South Korea under CEO Lee Seung-gi (이승기). Strategic partners include Korean construction and finance brands such as SK D&D, 한국투자증권, 동국제강, 한샘인사이드, LG휘센, plus PropTech partners Nest and R² Square for the post-construction real estate consulting line.

Name

HOWBUILD

Legal name

Howbuild Co., Ltd.

Website

https://howbuild.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

HOWBUILD (하우빌드) is a South Korean construction technology platform connecting building owners, architects, and construction companies via BIM-based project management, competitive bidding, escrow payment protection, and post-construction real estate consulting services across South Korea.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Construction Management Software

NAICS

Computer Systems Design Services (541512), Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413), Nonresidential Building Construction (2362)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Building Information Modeling (BIM) & Digital Design Services (BPAHAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Design-Build / EPC General Contracting (IMAFAAAD), Construction & Engineering ERP (Job Costing, Project Controls) (HDAEAEAE)

Keywords

• Construction management platform
• BIM quantity takeoff
• Construction bidding marketplace
• Architect project matching
• Escrow construction payments

Headquarters

HQ city

Gangneung

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 원스톱 PM (One-Stop PM) Services: Comprehensive project management service from planning through completion. Base fee of 3 million KRW plus 1.5-3% of construction costs. Includes business consulting, design management, contractor bidding, construction management, and payment safety management.
2. 건설사업관리 CM (Construction Management): Construction management services for projects with existing designs. Fee structure of 0.3-3% of construction costs. Includes drawing review, competitive bidding, construction cost management, and quality inspection.
3. 종합부동산 컨설팅 (Real Estate Consulting): Post-construction property management and profit maximization services. Includes acquisition/sale consulting, rental management, facility management, and asset management provided through partner companies.
4. 디지털 플랫폼 서비스 (Digital Platform Services): Platform services including 아키히어 bidding marketplace, 아키히어 설계 design marketplace, and 스마콘 construction management tools. Revenue from platform participation fees and service subscriptions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

HOWBUILD develops and operates a digital construction platform that delivers end-to-end project management for building owners, architects, and construction companies in South Korea. Its core offering combines professional services (One-Stop PM and Construction Management CM) with digital marketplaces and tools, including BIM-based Pre-Build quantity takeoff, the Archi-here design and bidding platforms, the Smacon construction management system, the Howbuild Sketch 3D design tool, and a patented escrow-based Construction Payment Safety Management system.

Product overview

HOWBUILD is a construction platform offering a unified ecosystem of integrated tools and services for the Korean construction market. The core platform is built around three interconnected modules: 아키히어 (Archi-here), which consists of the 아키히어 입찰 bidding marketplace and 아키히어 설계 design open marketplace connecting building owners with architects and contractors; 스마콘 (Smacon), a BIM-based quantity extraction and construction management tool; and 하우빌드 스케치 (Howbuild Sketch), a free 3D design proposal generator. These tools feed into two main service tiers: 원스톱 PM for comprehensive project management from planning through completion, and 건설사업관리 CM for construction management when design drawings already exist. 종합부동산 컨설팅 extends the value chain post-completion with property and facility management. The platform also incorporates proprietary features including 프리빌드 for BIM-based quantity extraction and patented 공사대금 안전관리 escrow payment safety system.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• One-Stop PM (원스톱 PM) Comprehensive project management service covering the entire construction process from business feasibility analysis to completion, providing dedicated manager support, architect selection, competitive bidding for contractors, and construction payment safety management. Targeted at building owners undertaking new construction projects.
• Construction Management CM (건설사업관리) Construction management service supporting contractor selection, drawing review, quantity calculation, competitive bidding, and construction payment safety management for clients who already have design drawings. Targeted at building owners with existing designs needing construction-phase oversight.
• Comprehensive Real Estate Consulting (종합부동산 컨설팅) Real estate asset management service covering property acquisition/consulting, rental management, facility management, and administrative tasks for completed buildings. Delivered in partnership with Nest (덩지), a specialized small-commercial PM company, and R² Square (알스퀘어), a PropTech firm.
• Archi-here Bidding (아키히어 입찰) Bidding platform connecting verified projects posted by architects directly with construction companies, enabling transparent competitive bidding through a platform-based bidding system from recruitment through contract.
• Archi-here Design (아키히어 설계) Open marketplace connecting building owners with architects, featuring simplified selection process, portfolio showcase for architects, and estimated design fee data based on actual contract analysis.
• Smacon (스마콘) BIM-based construction management platform offering 3D visualization, quantity extraction, construction progress management, and payment safety management to predict construction costs before construction begins. Targeted at construction companies managing project execution.
• Howbuild Sketch (하우빌드 스케치) Free 3D design tool that generates building design proposals with automated building code compliance review in 3 seconds, providing instant design feedback. Targeted at building owners and architects exploring early-stage designs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Construction cost reduction of 5%+ compared to traditional methods
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• 한국투자증권minorOthersListed as a sponsor/partner on the HOWBUILD platform, indicating a business or referral relationship.
• SK D&DminorOthersListed as a sponsor/partner on the HOWBUILD platform.
• 동국제강minorOthersListed as a sponsor/partner on the HOWBUILD platform.
• 한샘인사이드minorOthersListed as a sponsor/partner on the HOWBUILD platform.
• 우리은행minorOthersPartner bank for the escrow-based construction payment safety management system (공사대금 안전관리).
• 하나은행minorOthersPartner bank for the escrow-based construction payment safety management system.
• 둥지 (Nest)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst specialized PM company for small commercial buildings in Korea. Partner for comprehensive real estate consulting services.
• 알스퀘어 (R² Square)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPropTech company providing data and IT expertise for comprehensive real estate solutions. Partner for comprehensive real estate consulting services.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Letsbuild: European construction management and quality assurance platform with site monitoring and progress tracking. Comparable to HOWBUILD's Smacon in providing BIM-enabled construction oversight for general contractors.
• BuildingConnected (Autodesk): Bidding and preconstruction platform connecting general contractors with subcontractors. Directly comparable to HOWBUILD's Archi-here Bidding marketplace for project-construction company matching.
• Procore Technologies: Leading cloud-based construction management platform serving owners, general contractors, and specialty contractors with project management, bidding, and financial tools. Directly comparable to HOWBUILD's PM/CM and Smacon platform offering.
• PlanRadar: Austrian construction SaaS platform for defect management, task tracking, and project documentation. Comparable to HOWBUILD's Smacon construction management tool, particularly for mid-market projects.
• RIB Software (Schneider Electric): Enterprise construction software platform with BIM, quantity takeoff (similar to HOWBUILD's Pre-Build), and project management capabilities. Comparable in offering construction lifecycle software to owners and contractors.

Broad incumbents

• Oracle Aconex: Oracle's construction collaboration and project management platform for large infrastructure and building projects. Comparable in providing owner-contractor document and project management at enterprise scale.
• Autodesk Construction Cloud: BIM-centric construction platform from Autodesk, including BuildingConnected bidding marketplace and BIM 360. Competes with HOWBUILD's Pre-Build BIM and Archi-here bidding tools but serves broader global market.
• Trimble: Global technology provider with construction software (Trimble Viewpoint, e-Builder) serving contractors and owners with project management, ERP, and BIM. Broad incumbent competitor to HOWBUILD's full platform.

Others

• R² Square (알스퀘어): Korean PropTech company already partnering with HOWBUILD for real estate consulting. Thematically aligned PropTech data and IT provider in Korean market—adjacent ecosystem participant.

Regional players

• Zigbang: Major Korean PropTech platform for residential real estate listings and brokerage. Comparable as a Korean real estate technology player, though primarily residential-focused versus HOWBUILD's commercial/building focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCWVbE4UQXbqHZVD1dQLSHSQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/100063760974799

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 HOWBUILD