KAI Enterprises
KAI Enterprises is a minority-owned, integrated design-build AEC firm serving institutional clients (government, K-12, higher education, healthcare, aviation) through architecture, MEP/FP engineering, construction, and program management subsidiaries, with ~160 professionals across St. Louis, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Atlanta.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1980
- HeadquartersAtlanta, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What KAI Enterprises does
KAI Enterprises is a privately-held, minority-owned and minority-led architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) firm headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, founded in 1980 by Michael E. Kennedy, Sr. The company delivers integrated design-build services through four wholly-owned operating subsidiaries — KAI Design (architecture and interior design), KAI Engineering (MEP/FP engineering), KAI Build (general contracting and construction management), and KAI 360 CS (program management and construction consulting). With approximately 160 professionals across offices in St. Louis, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Atlanta, KAI serves institutional clients in aviation, K-12 and higher education, healthcare, government and civic, and community/cultural markets across six U.S. regions.
The firm pursues projects primarily through public-sector RFPs and design competitions, with project values typically ranging from $20 million to $100 million+ (e.g., $53 million Seagoville PK-8 Campus, $42 million South Oak Cliff High School renovation, $26.2 million Dallas County Emergency Operations Center). Its underlying technology stack centers on BIM-based coordinated construction documents, MEP/FP engineering with specialty capabilities in resilient infrastructure and storm shelter design (ICC 500-2020 compliant), and energy modeling. KAI also offers owner's representation, program management, facility assessments, and diversity planning through KAI 360 CS.
Revenue mechanics are based on professional service fees for architecture and engineering, plus general contracting and construction management billings for build services, all under single-point design-build contracts. The firm is led by CEO Michael B. Kennedy, Jr. (son of the founder), President Darren L. James, FAIA, and Managing Partner Brad Simmons, FAIA. Notable clientele includes Dallas ISD, IU Health, BJC HealthCare, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, DFW Airport, St. Louis Lambert International Airport, and the Dallas County Office of Homeland Security, with over 60% of work rooted in underserved neighborhoods.
KAI Enterprises firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- KAI Enterprises
- Legal name
- KAI Design & Build Enterprises, LLC
- Website
- https://kai-db.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1980
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- KAI Enterprises is a minority-owned, integrated design-build AEC firm serving institutional clients (government, K-12, higher education, healthcare, aviation) through architecture, MEP/FP engineering, construction, and program management subsidiaries, with ~160 professionals across St. Louis, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Atlanta.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
KAI Enterprises industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Architecture, Engineering and Construction Services
- NAICS
- Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413), Architectural Services (541310)
- SIC
- Services-Engineering Services (8711), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Design-Build / EPC General Contracting (IMAFAAAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Sustainable/Green Building & LEED Consulting (BPAHAKAG)
Keywords
Where KAI Enterprises is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Atlanta
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
KAI Enterprises business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Architecture and Engineering Services: Professional fees from architectural design, interior design, and MEP/FP engineering services delivered through integrated design-build approach
- Construction Services: General contracting and construction management services, including preconstruction services, safety management, quality control, and owner's representation
- Construction Management and Program Management: 360 CS provides program management, construction inspection, design management, schedule and budget management, facility assessments, diversity planning, and claims management
- Design-Build Services: Single-contract design-build delivery method providing early knowledge of total project costs, single point of responsibility, and condensed design and construction schedule
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Large-scale infrastructure and institutional projects typically ranging from $20M to $100M+ |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
KAI Enterprises product offering
Product offeringCore offering
KAI Enterprises is a multi-disciplinary architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) firm delivering integrated design-build services across four operating subsidiaries: KAI Design (architecture and interior design), KAI Engineering (MEP/FP engineering, energy modeling, BIM), KAI Build (general contracting and construction management), and KAI 360 CS (program management, inspection, and construction consulting). The firm serves government, K-12, higher education, healthcare, aviation, and community clients through a single-contract delivery model that combines in-house design, engineering, and construction capabilities.
Product overview
KAI Enterprises is a multi-disciplinary architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) firm that operates as an integrated platform with four specialized service divisions: KAI Design (architecture, interior design, master planning), KAI Engineering (MEPFP engineering services), KAI Build (general contracting and construction management), and KAI 360 Construction Services (program management and construction consulting). The company also offers Design-Build as an integrated delivery method. Founded in 1980 and headquartered in St. Louis, KAI serves markets including aviation, commercial, community, government, healthcare, higher education, K-12, mobility, residential, science & technology, sports & entertainment, and water. The firm is a Minority-Owned and Minority-Led Business Enterprise (MBE) with over 160 professionals across offices in St. Louis, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Atlanta.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- KAI Design: Architecture and interior design services subsidiary offering architecture, interior design, art-in-design, sustainable design, master planning, value engineering, construction administration, planning & programming, and site development.
- KAI Engineering
- KAI Build
- KAI 360 CS
Products and services
- KAI Design Architecture and interior design services providing architecture, interior design, art-in-design, sustainable design, master planning, value engineering, construction administration, planning and programming, and site development for residential, commercial, healthcare, education, aviation, government, and community projects.
- KAI Engineering MEP/FP engineering services including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection engineering; systems and technology design; energy modeling; commissioning; lighting design; utilities master planning; and BIM for wide spectrum of building types and resilient infrastructure.
- KAI Build General contracting and construction services including construction management, preconstruction services, safety management, partnering and diversity planning, quality control, pre-engineered buildings, owner's representation, and technology integration for institutional, government, and commercial construction projects.
- KAI 360 Construction Services (360 CS) Program management and construction consulting services including program management, construction inspection, design management, biddability and constructability reviews, schedule and budget management, facility assessments, diversity planning, delivery and contracting strategies, change order management, claims avoidance and management, and dispute resolution.
- Design-Build Delivery Integrated project delivery method combining KAI's in-house design, engineering, and construction capabilities under a single contract to provide early total-cost knowledge, single-point responsibility, and condensed design and construction schedules for complex institutional projects.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 60% of work rooted in underserved neighborhoods
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use KAI Enterprises
Customer profileNamed customers17 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
KAI Enterprises technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
KAI Enterprises partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- BIG - Bjarke Ingels GroupflagshipLead Design Architect partnership for National Juneteenth Museum in Fort Worth, TX. KAI serves as Executive Architect and MEP Engineer alongside BIG's lead design. The 50,000 sq ft museum is a landmark project scheduled for completion in 2026.
- Kaizen Development PartnerscoreProject development partner for Dallas County Emergency Operations Center - part of the development team including CBRE, McKissack & McKissack, and Azteca-Omega Group
- CBREcoreReal estate and project management services partner on Dallas County EOC project. Part of the project development team.
- McKissack & McKissackcoreArchitecture and engineering partner on Dallas County EOC project. Part of the project development team with Azteca-Omega Group.
- Azteca-Omega GroupcoreConstruction partner on Dallas County EOC project. Part of the project development team with McKissack & McKissack.
- Dikita Enterprises Inc.coreEngineering firm partner on Seagoville PK-8 Campus project. Member of the design and build team alongside Phillips|May Corporation.
- Phillips|May CorporationcoreGeneral contractor for Seagoville PK-8 Campus project. Part of the design and build team including Dikita Enterprises Inc. and Dallas ISD Construction Services.
- Rigid Global BuildingsminorPreferred vendor partnership for pre-engineered metal buildings in the Midwest region. Provides lower construction costs, quick turn-around, design flexibility, structural stability, and energy efficiency for industrial projects.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
KAI Enterprises competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- SmithGroup: Integrated AEC firm with architecture, MEP/FP engineering, and design-build delivery across higher education, healthcare, science & technology, and civic markets. Directly comparable on multi-disciplinary design-build and institutional client base.
- Moody Nolan: Largest African-American-owned architecture and engineering firm in the U.S., with integrated design, MEP engineering, and interior design across sports, education, healthcare, and aviation. Closely comparable to KAI on MBE positioning, multi-office footprint, and design-build credentials.
- Perkins&Will: Global architecture and design firm with strong healthcare, higher education, and civic practice and integrated sustainability credentials. Comparable to KAI Design and KAI Engineering on architecture-led, mission-driven institutional work.
- HKS: Architecture, engineering, and planning firm with deep healthcare, education, and civic portfolio, including integrated design-build delivery. Comparable to KAI on end-markets and the integrated design + engineering service stack.
- Burns & McDonnell: 100% employee-owned AEC firm with integrated design-build, MEP engineering, and program management across aviation, government, healthcare, and education. Directly comparable to KAI's integrated delivery model and public-sector client mix, though at substantially larger scale.
- Hensel Phelps: Employee-owned design-build general contractor with integrated preconstruction, MEP, and self-perform construction across aviation, healthcare, education, and government. Comparable to KAI Build and KAI 360 CS on design-build delivery and public-sector project mix.
Broad incumbents
- Stantec: Global professional services firm with architecture, engineering, and program management across water, infrastructure, buildings, and energy. Comparable to KAI's MEP engineering and 360 CS program management, though at vastly larger scale and broader portfolio.
- HOK: Global architecture, engineering, and planning firm with strong aviation, healthcare, education, and civic practice. Comparable to KAI on end-markets and integrated design services, with KAI providing MEP engineering and construction on similar building typologies.
- AECOM: Global infrastructure consulting firm delivering architecture, engineering, and construction services across transportation, water, environment, and buildings. Overlaps with KAI on aviation, government, and water (e.g., Deer Creek Sanitary Tunnel) but at much larger scale.
- Jacobs: Global professional services firm covering critical infrastructure, advanced facilities, and government services. Comparable to KAI on public-sector program management, federal agency work, and resilient infrastructure, though at vastly larger scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
KAI Enterprises social profiles
Digital presenceKAI Enterprises compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
KAI Enterprises financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
KAI Enterprises leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
KAI Enterprises subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
KAI Enterprises funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
KAI Enterprises M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about KAI Enterprises
What does KAI Enterprises do?
KAI Enterprises is a multi-disciplinary architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) firm delivering integrated design-build services across four operating subsidiaries: KAI Design (architecture and interior design), KAI Engineering (MEP/FP engineering, energy modeling, BIM), KAI Build (general contracting and construction management), and KAI 360 CS (program management, inspection, and construction consulting). The firm serves government, K-12, higher education, healthcare, aviation, and community clients through a single-contract delivery model that combines in-house design, engineering, and construction capabilities.
Is KAI Enterprises a public or private company?
KAI Enterprises is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was KAI Enterprises founded?
KAI Enterprises was founded in 1980. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is KAI Enterprises based?
KAI Enterprises is headquartered in Atlanta, United States, in the North America region.
How does KAI Enterprises make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Architecture and Engineering Services are the primary driver. The others are construction Services, construction Management and Program Management and design-Build Services.
Who are KAI Enterprises's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SmithGroup, Moody Nolan, Perkins&Will, HKS, Burns & McDonnell and Hensel Phelps. Broad incumbents are Stantec, HOK, AECOM and Jacobs.
Does KAI Enterprises have an API?
No public API is recorded for KAI Enterprises.
What industry is KAI Enterprises in?
KAI Enterprises's product category is Architecture, Engineering and Construction Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAFAAAD, Design-Build / EPC General Contracting, with a secondary code of BPAHAKAG, Sustainable/Green Building & LEED Consulting. Its NAICS code is 5413 and its SIC code is 8711.