Background: Trustees across different buildings and associations are often isolated, with limited opportunities to communicate, share experiences, or collaborate on common challenges. This separation restricts their ability to learn from one another, share solutions to recurring problems, and make informed, strategic decisions based on collective insights.

 

Solution: BuildingBeam is a community-centered platform in development, aimed at connecting trustees from buildings and condo associations (there are approximately 11,500 associations in Massachusetts according to the Foundation for Community Association Research). The goal is to create a space where trustees can share experiences, address challenges, and explore solutions collaboratively. By integrating advanced AI technologies, including large language models, BuildingBeam plans to provide insights that help trustees make informed decisions, streamline management processes, and strengthen community connections.

 

Founder Background: BuildingBeam™ LLC, a Massachusetts-based company, was founded on October 18, 2024, by Uri Kartoun, a robotics PhD with over 16 years in the U.S., having worked for Microsoft, Massachusetts General Hospital, and IBM Research. Uri’s professional background includes holding over seventy-five patents with the U.S. Patent Office. In addition to his technical expertise, Uri brings a hands-on understanding of trustee responsibilities, having served as a trustee in a large condominium building in North Cambridge, MA, for nearly three years during the pandemic (between Septmber 2019 and March 2022). This experience inspired the creation of BuildingBeam—a platform he wished had existed during his trustee tenure to address building management challenges through shared insights and advanced data solutions. Contact: kartoun [@] gmail [dot] com

 

About the Name: The name "BuildingBeam" carries a dual meaning, making it both symbolic and unique. A beam represents a communication or laser beam, emphasizing the connections the platform aims to foster between different buildings and condo associations. At the same time, beams are fundamental structural components of buildings, often made of steel, symbolizing strength and support. Together, these meanings encapsulate BuildingBeam’s mission to build strong, connected communities and empower trustees with tools for efficient and sustainable building management.

 

Primary Users: Trustees and associations, who can use the platform to connect, share experiences, and access valuable insights. The primary users are trustees of buildings in Massachusetts.

 

Secondary Audience: HOA members benefit indirectly from the platform’s insights as their trustees make more informed, data-driven decisions.

 

Service Providers: BuildingBeam aims to connect trustees with individuals and contractors who offer services to buildings. This group includes professionals such as plumbers, construction companies, electricians, HVAC technicians, landscapers, property management consultants, legal advisors, and cleaning services. These service providers bring valuable resources, solutions, and expertise, helping trustees and associations manage building needs more effectively.

 

Intellectual Property: BuildingBeam owns intellectual property in the form of patent-pending technologies, which covers the platform’s unique approaches.

 

Current Product (November 2024): The platform, based on Slack technology, allows condo trustees to register and communicate with one another in a chat channel called the "lobby." The lobby channel enables all registered trustees to interact. The platform also provides association-specific channels, where access is restricted to the trustees of that specific association and BuildingBeam team members. BuildingBeam team members can attempt to provide advice by accessing publicly available databases (e.g., Registry of Deeds, City Permits Databases, City Archives) and applying advanced computational methods.

 

Why BuildingBeam is Different? BuildingBeam stands apart from traditional social platforms like Facebook, Google Groups, Nextdoor, and email, as well as dedicated trustee networks. Here's what makes BuildingBeam unique:

• Slack-Integrated Communication: Each building association is provided with its own dedicated Slack channel, allowing for rapid and organized communication between trustees. This seamless setup ensures trustees within and across associations can efficiently collaborate, share updates, and resolve issues in real-time.
• Smart Building Insights (In Development): BuildingBeam is developing an innovative feature to identify and rank buildings similar to yours based on hundreds of characteristics (features), including textual descriptions. By leveraging advanced machine learning and large language models (LLMs), this functionality will intelligently mine information across buildings and offer tailored insights and actionable advice to trustees.

 

BuildingBeam isn’t just about communication; it’s about empowering trustees with data-driven insights and tools to manage their buildings more effectively. While some of these features are in development, they highlight BuildingBeam's vision to become a comprehensive solution for proactive building management and trustee collaboration.

 

Cost: There are no costs associated with using the platform. Trustees can access free of charge.

 

Disclaimer: BuildingBeam provides advice and insights based on publicly available data and computational methods; however, the platform is not responsible for any decisions, actions, or outcomes resulting from the use of this information. Trustees should independently verify all information before making decisions.