Last Updated: 10 December 2025
Bobyard, the AI platform automating construction takeoffs and estimates, has closed a $35 million Series A funding round. The investment was led by 8VC, with participation from Pear VC, Primary Venture Partners, Tishman Speyer, RXR, Caffeinated Capital, and Merrick Ventures.
The San Francisco-based company has developed computer-vision technology that automates up to 70 percent of the quantity and material takeoff process. For contractors, this means preparing accurate bids in minutes rather than hours.
Takeoffs are the foundation of preconstruction. They're also the most time-consuming step. Bobyard's trade-specific models interpret blueprints the way experienced estimators do, turning static drawings into structured data that improves speed, accuracy, and competitiveness.
The company started with landscaping, one of the most complex and often overlooked trades in construction. It has quickly become the platform of choice for leading commercial contractors across the United States. Contractors using Bobyard report an average 65% reduction in takeoff times and submit 3 to 5 times more bids per estimator. They also see more consistent, accurate takeoffs that directly improve win rates and margins.
Chopper Landscaping is one of many firms experiencing this firsthand. The company used Bobyard to win its first commercial projects, unlocking roughly $350,000 in new work they "couldn't have got without Bobyard's help."
Project manager and estimator John Barrett shared that Bobyard has cut his takeoff time "at least in half, if not more," while enabling his team to bid faster and more confidently. As Barrett puts it: "This is the way to go. This is literally the future of estimating in landscaping and it's time to get on board."
With this new capital, Bobyard will continue advancing its AI models and product capabilities in landscaping. The company also plans to expand into additional trades including drywall, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and framing.
Bobyard is expanding its engineering and go-to-market teams in San Francisco to accelerate product development and support growth across these new verticals.
Founded by Michael Ding, a Stanford-trained engineer and award-winning mathematician, Bobyard brings together computer vision engineers and operators from institutions such as Stanford, Princeton, Berkeley, and Virginia Tech. Together, they are building applied AI for one of the world's largest and most essential industries.
"We're solving some of the hardest problems in computer vision by teaching machines to understand blueprints. It's an opportunity to push the boundaries of AI in a field that directly shapes the built environment."
Michael Ding, founder and CEO of Bobyard
The round brought together a mix of venture capital firms and strategic real estate investors. 8VC led the Series A, joined by Pear VC and Primary Venture Partners. Real estate giants Tishman Speyer and RXR also participated, alongside Caffeinated Capital and Merrick Ventures.
