London-based Kreo has adopted a Freemium model to grow early adoption of its SaaS BIM software.
Just over a year since launching (post), London-based startup Kreo‘s cloud-based software platform supporting building information modelling (BIM) using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning has started to grow a strong user base. One factor has been its adoption of a “freemium” model to access the software, with 100 new users starting to use the software in one month.
The company had a small stand at Digital Construction Week in October 2019. It has also been nominated for several construction innovation awards in 2019, including the NCE TechFest awards, the BIMToday building innovation awards, the London Construction Awards (part of London Build), and Germany’s Tech Start-Up.
Kreo ‘freemium’ model
Kreo has decided that ‘freemium’ is the way forward: making the Kreo platforms completely free for a limited number of projects. This allows professionals to test the technology without having to commit to any payment. Within a month it says it signed up over 100 new active users across Kreo Plan, Takeoff and Design. Kreo Design is attracting particular interest, with users drawn by its cost estimation, integration with Autodesk’s Revit, and architectural reporting features, the company says
Most users are UK-based (to be expected for a UK-based company) but the second highest geographical location registered was from the US (without any active promotion) – a contractor and a developer are apparently in discussions with Kreo, and the company is planning a US presence at Autodesk University 2020. In the meantime, it is also planning to exhibit at the Homes UK show, 27-28 November 2019, in London.
Update (17 December 2019) – Since going freemium, over 400 people have signed into Kreo. Magomed Galaev says the company gained two new customers since launching Kreo Takeoff in May. Kreo will be breaking down products into smaller, more immediate solutions to help customers get on board more quickly, and plans three new products in the first half of 2020, including a feasibility study tool, which it expects will turn cost estimation on its head (PBC article).
