Professional Summary
Erik Swenson serves as the Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Planera, Inc., a construction technology startup specializing in collaborative construction scheduling and planning software based on Critical Path Method (CPM) principles. He is based in San Jose, California, and maintains a strong professional network with over 500 connections and approximately 678 followers on LinkedIn.
Educational Background
Erik holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. This technical foundation supports his extensive experience in technology leadership and product innovation within the software and construction-tech domains.
Career and Industry Experience
- Planera, Inc. (Co-founder & CTO)
Erik co-founded Planera alongside other industry veterans including Nitin Bhandari (CEO) and Saif Lodhi (Product Strategy). At Planera, he leads the technology and product development efforts focused on disruptive scheduling and planning software tailored to commercial construction projects. The company positions itself as delivering sophisticated project scheduling solutions that combine powerful CPM functionality with usability comparable to traditional tools like whiteboards and Excel.
- Skyfire Labs (CTO & Co-founder)
Prior to Planera, Erik was CTO and co-founder of Skyfire Labs, a technology firm specializing in mobile video acceleration solutions. He held this role for over a decade, leading technology strategy and development that culminated in a successful company exit. Erik has a longstanding working relationship with Nitin Bhandari, also a co-founder at both ventures.
- Erik brings over 15 years of collaborative startup leadership experience, principally in the SaaS and construction technology industries, focusing on scaling technology teams and delivering innovative product solutions.
Notable Achievements and Contributions
- Instrumental in securing $13.5 million in Series A funding for Planera in August 2024, with the round led by Sierra Ventures. This injection supports Planera’s mission to modernize construction scheduling and planning workflows, addressing an acknowledged gap in the industry for intuitive yet sophisticated CPM tools.
- Recognized for building “game-changing products” and contributing to the company culture and vision as Planera transitions from stealth mode into a publicly visible growth phase.
- Proven track record of technology innovation and successful startup exits through previous ventures, notably at Skyfire Labs, providing a valuable blend of technical leadership and entrepreneurial execution.
Role and Current Focus at Planera
As CTO, Erik is responsible for overseeing Planera’s technology roadmap, architecture design, and product engineering. He works closely with co-founders and the broader leadership team to align product development with construction industry challenges. His leadership is critical in positioning Planera as a disrupting force within construction project management software, seeking to replace outdated, cumbersome scheduling methods.
Industry and Network Positioning
- Erik's professional visibility is strongest within the construction technology and SaaS startup ecosystems, and he is deeply connected with key industry figures including Planera’s CEO, co-founders, and early investors.
- The company team includes subject matter experts with decades of heavy construction industry experience (e.g., Saif Lodhi), which complements Erik's technology expertise to enhance Planera's market credibility.
- He is active in sharing company milestones and collaborating with other leaders and stakeholders working to revolutionize construction project delivery using digital tools.
This comprehensive profile positions Erik Swenson as a seasoned technology leader and entrepreneur, with significant expertise relevant to cutting-edge construction scheduling software. His co-founding role, prior successful exits, and recent funding achievements underscore his capability to drive innovation and growth at Planera, which is fast emerging as a key player in construction project planning technology.
