Celebrating 15 Years of Kahua: Transforming the Industry Together
When we founded Kahua back in 2009, we envisioned success. We knew our idea of creating a secure and truly collaborative platform as a service (PaaS) for construction project management would fill a huge need, and we had all the right people in place to do it.
While cofounder Brian Moore and I were certain we could bring necessary change to the industry, we couldn’t imagine the growth and success of where we are today.
As we celebrate Kahua's 15-year anniversary, it's essential to recognize that simply being better than the competition is not our measure of success. Our goal is to operate and deliver at a level far superior to other software vendors, setting a bar that is not just relative but absolutely high.
We haven't reached our destination yet, but we are certainly on our way. Our success is intrinsically tied to the success of our customers and partners.
Our Founding Principles and Community
Brian Moore and I founded Kahua in 2009 with the goal of developing a technology platform that enables the industry to solve its own challenges. We had already founded another company together, Constructware, the first internet-based collaborative project management solution to the construction industry. In less than a decade after delivering the Constructware SaaS offering, we were acquired by Autodesk.
Then Brian and I set out to do something even bigger. Something that would transcend the limits of traditional SaaS solutions.
We formed Kahua, whose purpose was to build and launch the next generation project management and collaboration solution for real estate, design, engineering, construction and operations. We’ve grown by leaps and bounds over the last 15 years, adding customers, projects, business processes and apps all along the way.
Kahua is a Hawaiian word. The literal translation means ‘platform’ or ‘foundation.’ Figuratively, kahua means a declaration of principles or policies. Since our solution offers users a solid foundation of industry-standard best practices but also allows users to build upon it as needed, we felt like Kahua was the perfect name.
Our business model relies on our network of partners, leveraging their vast industry knowledge and expertise. Our founding principles – agility, consolidation and network collaboration – yield better solutions, improved processes and a better-built environment.
Kahua's ability to innovate is rooted in our community, which includes our customers, partners and employees. This community-driven approach allows us to accomplish things together that we cannot achieve as individuals. Teamwork, one of Kahua’s core values, drives innovation and leads to extraordinary results.
Industry Challenges and Our Response
The industry faces significant capital spending demands, requiring transparency and financial accountability. Owners aim to mitigate and manage risks effectively. Kahua's platform provides the necessary tools to address these challenges, ensuring that capital is deployed efficiently and transparently.
The market is flooded with numerous point solutions addressing various project management needs. This fragmentation leads to silos of data and limited visibility. Many legacy applications are built on outdated technology stacks, and the industry is beginning to recognize the limitations of SaaS-based applications, which often become stagnant once implemented. Kahua’s PaaS offers a dynamic and evolving solution, addressing different customer personas and continuously meeting ever-changing requirements.
Poor collaboration among project stakeholders has been a decades-old issue. The use of disparate solutions that do not integrate or share information results in data silos and limited visibility. Owners often have access to only part of the picture, leading to an imbalance of information. Kahua addresses these issues by providing a unified platform that enhances collaboration and transparency across all stakeholders.
Cybersecurity was a concern when we started out, and that concern has only grown since our inception. Kahua remains at the forefront of seeking and receiving the highest security accreditations, including top StateRAMP and FedRAMP authorizations, as well as meeting SOC II, CMMC and GDRP requirements.
Industry Trends and Our Vision
Anniversaries have “gifts” associated with them. For year 15, the recommended gift is crystal. That’s appropriate, because I’m going to take out my crystal ball and share what I believe is Kahua’s future.
The initiatives Kahua is working on now – such as continued collaboration efforts and the development of packaged solutions for various industry sectors – position us for even greater accomplishments. By driving value and productivity through data analytics, predictive analytics, AI and seamless data transition, we will continue to differentiate ourselves and lead the industry forward.
We anticipate increased technology spending and accelerated adoption driven by demands for transparency and accountability. While the influx of emerging technologies like AI, drones, and 3D photos creates further fragmentation, Kahua's platform consolidates solutions to eliminate data silos and provide comprehensive visibility.
Owners are demanding improved collaboration and more information and oversight, addressing the current imbalance. Kahua anticipates continued consolidation of solutions within the PMIS environment, specifically focusing on project management-related functionality.
The Power of Our Partner Network
Kahua's technology enables innovation and participation from our partner community, bringing forward the knowledge and expertise necessary to support the industry's diverse needs. Our partners provide services ranging from implementation support and business process redesign to application development and data migration services. The PaaS model allows third parties to develop applications and business processes rapidly, enhancing existing functionality and fostering a collaborative environment.
Kahua’s innovative PaaS business model extends the lifecycle of our solutions far beyond traditional SaaS applications. This longevity yields continuous opportunities and improvements, ensuring that our technology remains relevant and continuously increases productivity in the market.
Our Commitment to Change
We believe that our customers, partners and the Kahua team will fundamentally change and improve the industry. By leveraging the knowledge, experience, and creativity of the entire industry, we can drive greater efficiencies, eliminate data silos and provide transparency of information across project stakeholders. Our commitment to innovation and collaboration ensures that we will continue to lead the way in enabling customers to realize the value of their data.
Looking Ahead
The inspiration that Brian and I had when we started Kahua is now a reality. Together, we are transforming the industry, and I am excited to see what we will achieve in the next 15 years and beyond. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey.
