Pixly, a North County-based software startup that specializes in construction and real estate, won a $100,000 pitch contest hosted by a veteran fund.
Conducted by the Military Influencer Conference in Las Vegas last month, the competition proved to be the winner for an app that provides visual documentation and collaboration aids to those in the construction industry.
Based in Encinitas, Pixly was originally born out of the San Diego Connect Springboard program, which empowers entrepreneurs by providing education programs, mentorship, referrals, and access to capital.
So Connect mentor Lee Mills met with architect Patrick Caughey, who had an idea for an app that would solve the photo document problem he’d experienced first-hand on a construction site.
They partnered with third-generation developer and construction expert Thayer Flynn as a co-founder to launch Pixly in late 2019, just before the COVID-19 pandemic began. The app empowers people on construction sites by letting them easily snap, tag, share and collaborate on project photos from anywhere.
Since its launch, the company says it has built an iOS app, launched a web app version, secured numerous letters of intent from top-tier general contractors, and generated hundreds of early users along with a high-profile pilot project.
This startup was invited to participate in a pitch contest. Pixly CEO Mills said the company was “honored and humbled to win the contest,” and said the company will use the funds to add new app features, support early customers, and expand sales. and promote marketing.
Mills came to San Diego while on duty aboard the USS Constellation. After serving four years, he earned the Navy Meritorious Service Medal and completed design school while working full-time as a telemarketer.
He then began his career at a tech startup as one of Backup.com’s first marketing hires, followed by construction technology expertise at Anonymizer, MojoPages, and Raken.
Pixly competed in the field of 120 startups.
“It was difficult to select the semi-finalists and finalists based on the virtual pitch, but five stood out and Pixly won. We look forward to helping,” said Ryan Micheletti, general partner at Veteran Fund, a venture capital firm.
