Subscan
Subscan is a South African specialist sub-surface detection firm using Ground Penetrating Radar to deliver utility detection, concrete scanning, and core drilling services to engineering, construction, telecom, and infrastructure clients across Southern Africa.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersJohannesburg, South Africa
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Subscan does
Subscan is a South African specialist sub-surface detection firm founded in 2015, operating from regional offices in Paarl (Western Cape) and Roodepoort (Gauteng). Its core services are utility detection and concrete scanning using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Cable Avoidance Tools (CAT), with reported detection depths of up to 3 meters and a 0% comeback rate across more than 400 concrete scans. Subscan uses GPS and Total Stations to produce georeferenced digital maps of detected utilities, reinforcement, and post-tension cables, delivering outputs in AutoCAD, Surpac, Model Maker, and related geospatial formats.
The company complements detection with diamond core drilling (12mm–600mm diameter, up to 15m depth) and extends into land surveying and aerial/LIDAR surveying through its Terramatics Group affiliates — sister company CDJ Land Surveyors (1700+ projects since 2006) and partner Terracopta. Subscan monetizes entirely through project-based B2B professional services engagements priced per quote, with no standardized public pricing. Its customer base spans telecommunications (Vumatel), energy (Eskom), food manufacturing (Simba), sports infrastructure (Mahikeng Stadium), education, and engineering/construction firms across South Africa and the broader Southern African region, with operational milestones of 1500+ scanned intersections and 100+ km of mapped road reserves.
Subscan firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Subscan
- Legal name
- Subscan
- Website
- https://subscan.co.za
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Subscan is a South African specialist sub-surface detection firm using Ground Penetrating Radar to deliver utility detection, concrete scanning, and core drilling services to engineering, construction, telecom, and infrastructure clients across Southern Africa.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Subscan industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Subsurface Surveying Services
- NAICS
- Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136), Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services (54137), Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction (237130)
- SIC
- Water, Sewer, Pipeline, Comm & Power Line Construction (1623)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Geotechnical & Subsurface Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAB)
Keywords
Where Subscan is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Johannesburg
- HQ country
- South Africa
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices2 records
Markets served
Subscan business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Survey and Detection Services: Project-based professional services for utility detection, concrete scanning, land surveys, and aerial surveys. Services are quoted on a per-project basis tailored to client requirements.
- Core Drilling Services: Diamond core drilling services charged per project based on diameter requirements, depth specifications, and wall thickness parameters.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
Subscan product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Subscan is a sub-surface detection firm that detects and maps underground utilities (fibre optics, electricity, gas, water, sewer, stormwater, telecom lines) and scans concrete structures using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Cable Avoidance Tools (CAT). The company complements these core services with diamond core drilling, traditional land surveying (via sister company CDJ Land Surveyors), and aerial surveying (via partner Terracopta) to deliver end-to-end geospatial solutions.
Product overview
Subscan is a specialist sub-surface detection firm offering a portfolio of complementary survey solutions. The core offerings are Utility Detection and Concrete Scanning, both powered by Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Cable Avoidance Tools. These are supplemented by Core Drilling services for creating openings in concrete and rock, and extended through Land Surveys (via sister company CDJ Land Surveyors) and Aerial Surveys (via partnership with Terracopta) for comprehensive geospatial data capture. The company uses GPS and Total Stations for georeferenced mapping and delivers results in formats including AutoCAD, Revit, Model Maker, and Civil Designer.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Utility Detection Detection and georeferenced mapping of sub-surface utilities including fibre optics, electricity, gas, water, sewer, stormwater, and telecom lines to a depth of 3m using Ground Penetrating Radar and Cable Avoidance Tools (CAT). Targets engineering, construction, and infrastructure clients across Southern Africa.
- Concrete Scanning Ground Penetrating Radar scanning to detect the position and depth of steel reinforcement, post-tension cables, and other services within concrete structures, supporting structural analysis and safe core drilling operations. Used by structural engineers and contractors prior to cutting or coring.
- Core Drilling Diamond core drilling services for drilling through concrete, rock, stone, or asphalt, with capabilities ranging from 12mm to 600mm diameter, including stitch drilling, deep hole drilling up to 15m, pneumatic drilling, floor sawing, and wall sawing up to 550mm thick walls.
- Land Surveys Traditional land surveying services including accurate measuring and digital modelling/mapping for construction, engineering, architecture, town planning, property, and mining industries. Provided through sister company CDJ Land Surveyors, which has completed over 1700 projects since 2006.
- Aerial Surveys Aerial surveying using aeroplane and drone platforms for 3D modelling and mapping of land, buildings, and ground-based features, including aerial photogrammetry, LIDAR surveys, 3D terrain modelling, orthophoto production, and volumetric surveys. Delivered in partnership with Terracopta.
Quantifiable outcome
- 0% comeback rate on over 400 concrete scans across South Africa
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Subscan
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Subscan technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Subscan partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- TerracoptacoreTerracopta specializes in drone surveys and is a collaboration partner enabling SubScan to offer end-to-end survey services including aerial surveys. SubScan is a proud member of the Terramatics Group of Companies which includes Terracopta.
- CDJ Land SurveyorscoreCDJ Land Surveyors is a sister company to SubScan specializing in land surveying. CDJ was established in 2006 and has completed over 1700 projects. Through this collaboration, SubScan offers end-to-end survey services covering aerial surveys, traditional land surveys, and sub-surface surveys.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Subscan competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Leica Geosystems: Manufacturer of surveying equipment including Total Stations and GPS systems used by Subscan; equipment supplier and ecosystem enabler rather than a service competitor.
- Radiodetection: Manufacturer of Cable Avoidance Tools and utility locating equipment used by Subscan; adjacent ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor.
Broad incumbents
- Stantec: Global engineering consulting firm with surveying, infrastructure, and environmental practices that may include subsurface detection capabilities within broader mandates.
- AECOM: Global engineering consulting firm offering surveying, subsurface, and infrastructure services as part of a much wider portfolio; competes on large multidisciplinary mandates.
- WSP Global: Global professional services firm with surveying, infrastructure, and earthworks consulting; comparable on enterprise infrastructure programs but with broader scope and resources.
- Jacobs Solutions: Global technical and engineering services provider covering infrastructure, water, and environmental projects; overlaps with Subscan in survey and infrastructure services at a much larger scale.
Direct peers
- GPRS (Ground Penetrating Radar Systems): US-based market leader in GPR concrete scanning, utility locating, and void detection for construction. Closest direct peer in business model, equipment stack, and project-based service delivery.
- Multivista: Construction documentation services including 3D laser scanning and visual documentation for commercial and infrastructure projects; comparable scanning-heavy services for construction clients.
- Penhall Company: US concrete scanning, cutting, and GPR services provider to construction contractors; directly overlaps with Subscan's concrete scanning and core drilling offerings.
Regional players
- Aurecon: South African-headquartered global engineering and infrastructure advisory with surveying and subsurface capabilities, operating across the same geography as Subscan but at significantly broader scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Subscan social profiles
Digital presenceSubscan financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Subscan leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Subscan funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Subscan 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 Subscan
What does Subscan do?
Subscan is a sub-surface detection firm that detects and maps underground utilities (fibre optics, electricity, gas, water, sewer, stormwater, telecom lines) and scans concrete structures using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Cable Avoidance Tools (CAT). The company complements these core services with diamond core drilling, traditional land surveying (via sister company CDJ Land Surveyors), and aerial surveying (via partner Terracopta) to deliver end-to-end geospatial solutions.
Is Subscan a public or private company?
Subscan is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Subscan founded?
Subscan was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Subscan based?
Subscan is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, in the Africa region.
How does Subscan make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Survey and Detection Services are the primary driver. The others are core Drilling Services.
Who are Subscan's main competitors?
Others on record are Leica Geosystems and Radiodetection. Broad incumbents are Stantec, AECOM, WSP Global and Jacobs Solutions. Direct peers are GPRS (Ground Penetrating Radar Systems), Multivista and Penhall Company. Aurecon is listed as a regional player.
Does Subscan have an API?
No public API is recorded for Subscan.
What industry is Subscan in?
Subscan's product category is Subsurface Surveying Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAIAB, Geotechnical & Subsurface Engineering Consulting. Its NAICS code is 54136 and its SIC code is 1623.