Kanopee

Kanopee is a startup studio focused on creating Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions for the construction and real estate industries. Founded in Lyon, France, in January 2022 by Renaud Sornin and Nicolas Barbet, the company aims to accelerate the digital transformation of the building sector. The founders established Kanopee following a carve-out from their previous unicorn venture, Once For All (OFA), bringing seven incubated startups as the new company's foundation. Sornin has a background of 15 years at Bouygues Construction and 15 years in digital entrepreneurship, while Barbet has experience as a developer and commercial leader.

Kanopee's business model is centered on co-founding and developing startups that address specific pain points within the construction industry. The studio identifies problems through close collaboration with industry players using a method called "pioneers," where it does not launch a new venture without active participation from professionals on the ground. For each new company, Kanopee typically takes a 50% equity stake at the beginning, which dilutes to around 20-30% as the startup raises further funding rounds. The studio provides entrepreneurs with strategic guidance, operational support, and access to a broad network of partners, clients, and investors to de-risk the venture and accelerate growth. It supports founders in structuring their business, developing commercial strategies, and building teams.

In February 2023, Kanopee announced it had raised €11 million from 36 investors, including Bpifrance's French Tech Accélération II fund, SMABTP, and Groupe Once For All. This funding is intended to support the creation and development of approximately 30 new startups. The company currently supports 14 young companies.

Keywords: startup studio, construction tech, proptech, SaaS, B2B, venture building, digital transformation, real estate technology, corporate innovation, entrepreneurship support