coUrbanize Company Profile

Background

Founded in 2013 by MIT graduate and urban planner Karin Brandt, coUrbanize is a technology company dedicated to enhancing community engagement in real estate development and urban planning. The company's mission is to empower communities by providing accessible platforms for residents to participate in the planning processes that shape their neighborhoods. coUrbanize has facilitated over 650 projects across 34 states and Canada, translating content into 27 languages to ensure inclusivity.

Key Strategic Focus

coUrbanize focuses on:

Inclusive Community Engagement: Utilizing digital platforms to gather diverse community feedback, ensuring that development projects reflect the needs and desires of all stakeholders.

Technological Integration: Implementing tools like coMap for interactive feedback and coReport for comprehensive analytics, enabling developers to make informed decisions.

Market Expansion: Extending services to various sectors, including commercial real estate, affordable housing, municipalities, institutions, planning consultants, and public relations consultants.

Financials and Funding

Since its inception, coUrbanize has secured approximately $6.9 million through seven funding rounds. Notable funding events include:

November 2018: Raised $3 million in equity funding.

March 2020: Secured $710,000 in equity funding.

April 2020: Received a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan ranging between $150,000 and $350,000 from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Pipeline Development

coUrbanize has been instrumental in several high-profile projects:

Five Points Station Transformation: Partnered with the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) to launch a community engagement platform for the $200-million transformation of Five Points Station.

Southline Development: Assisted Lane Partners in South San Francisco, leading to unanimous City Council approval influenced by nearly 300 community comments.

The Quartz District: Facilitated community engagement for The Quartz District in Woodbridge, Virginia, resulting in zoning approval and the inclusion of a Whole Foods as an anchor tenant based on community feedback.

Technological Platform and Innovation

coUrbanize distinguishes itself through:

Proprietary Technologies:

coMap: An interactive mapping tool allowing community members to provide location-specific feedback.

coReport: An analytics platform that compiles and analyzes community feedback, offering actionable insights for developers.

Language Equity Plan: Launched in August 2021, this initiative ensures that all project communications are translated into languages spoken by at least 5% of the local population, promoting inclusivity.

Leadership Team

Karin Brandt: Founder and CEO. An MIT graduate and urban planner, Brandt established coUrbanize to improve the real estate development process through inclusive engagement. Under her leadership, the company has expanded its reach across North America and received recognition for its innovative approach to community engagement.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The citizen engagement software market is experiencing growth, driven by the increasing demand for transparent and inclusive community involvement in development projects. Trends include the adoption of digital platforms to facilitate remote participation and the emphasis on multilingual engagement to cater to diverse populations.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors include:

PlaceSpeak: Founded in 2010, PlaceSpeak offers location-based community consultation platforms, focusing on authenticating user locations to ensure relevant feedback.

Neighborland: Established in 2010, Neighborland provides tools for civic engagement, enabling organizations to collaborate with residents in shaping the future of their communities.

Accela: Founded in 1999, Accela delivers cloud-based solutions for government agencies, including citizen engagement platforms that streamline communication between municipalities and residents.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

coUrbanize has formed significant partnerships to enhance its market position:

MARTA Collaboration: Partnered with the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority to engage the community in the transformation of Five Points Station, demonstrating the platform's versatility in transit-oriented developments.

Lane Partners: Collaborated on the Southline Development project, where community feedback gathered through coUrbanize influenced project approvals and design modifications.

Operational Insights

coUrbanize's strategic approach includes:

Early Community Engagement: Initiating outreach at the project's inception to incorporate community feedback, reducing opposition and expediting approvals.

Multilingual Support: Implementing the Language Equity Plan to ensure non-English speaking residents can participate fully, setting a new standard for inclusivity in the industry.

Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing analytics from community feedback to inform project designs, leading to developments that align with community needs and preferences.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

Looking ahead, coUrbanize aims to:

Expand Geographic Reach: Continue growth into new markets within the U.S. and internationally, building on successful projects in Canada and various U.S. states.

Enhance Technological Capabilities: Invest in AI and machine learning to analyze community feedback more effectively, providing deeper insights for developers.

Diversify Service Offerings: Develop new tools and services to cater to a broader range of projects, including infrastructure and environmental initiatives.