Mach9 has raised $34 million to expand its Mach9 AI CAD software, following a shift away from robotics hardware. The San Francisco startup develops artificial intelligence tools that convert surveying data into engineering-ready drawings.
First Round Capital and Bessemer Venture Partners co-led the Series A round. Prudence and existing investor Quiet Capital also participated, bringing Mach9’s total funding to $49 million.
The investment follows growing adoption of the company’s software. Mach9 has attracted nearly 100 private-beta customers, with its technology used on more than 2,500 projects.
Mach9 shifts from robotics to AI CAD software
Co-founder and CEO Alex Baikovitz launched Mach9 Robotics in 2021 to develop faster, more affordable inspection technology for civil engineers. The company initially focused on hardware that could improve how infrastructure sites were surveyed.
After developing its equipment, the team identified a more pressing problem. Engineers could collect detailed laser scans and images, but converting that information into usable drawings remained slow and labor-intensive.
Mach9 subsequently dropped Robotics from its name and shifted toward computer-aided design software. In 2024, the company fully committed to software development, focusing on automating repetitive drafting work.
Traditional surveying workflows often require engineers to manually identify roads, curbs, pavement markings and other physical features. That process can take weeks or months, particularly for large transportation and infrastructure projects.
Baikovitz estimates that conventional software can require about a week of manual work for each mile surveyed. Mach9 says its AI tools can complete certain drafting tasks up to 10 times faster.
How Mach9 AI CAD software works
Mach9 processes laser scans, photographs and other spatial data collected by surveying teams. Its proprietary AI models identify physical features and generate an initial CAD drawing.
The software can trace curbs, road markings, utility infrastructure and other objects captured during surveying. Mach9 says its models deliver centimeter-level accuracy, which detailed engineering work requires.
Unlike systems that generate a finished drawing without further review, Mach9 keeps engineers involved. Users can edit shapes, adjust individual points, remove incorrect features and inspect the AI-generated results.
That review process matters because engineering drawings influence construction decisions and infrastructure safety. Licensed professionals remain responsible for checking the final deliverables and confirming their accuracy.
The company says automation helps surveying firms handle larger projects without proportionally increasing drafting staff. Its technology also works with existing data-collection equipment, reducing the need to buy additional hardware.
Mach9 is part of a wider effort to introduce AI into construction workflows. Another startup, NavigateAI, has raised $25 million to develop AI assistants for construction workers. While NavigateAI targets field operations, Mach9 focuses on preparing engineering information before construction begins.
Funding will support product development and hiring
Mach9 plans to use the new capital to improve its software, recruit industry specialists and expand operations. The company is also working to support additional types of surveying data and infrastructure features.
Its technology has already been used across more than 100,000 miles of infrastructure corridors in all 50 states. Customers include engineering firms WSP, HNTB and NV5, according to the company.
Public infrastructure projects illustrate its applications. California transportation officials are using Mach9 to document roadway safety features along Interstate 8 in San Diego.
The software also supports projects involving pedestrian safety and broadband infrastructure. These applications require accurate information about existing conditions before engineers can plan improvements.
Mach9’s software competes with established CAD workflows associated with companies such as Autodesk and Bentley Systems. Rather than replacing professional engineering judgment, it aims to reduce the time spent preparing initial drawings.
The company’s next challenge is expanding adoption while maintaining the precision required for professional surveying. Its customers must still validate AI-generated drawings before using them for engineering and construction decisions.
