Vizcab, a Lyon-based software company founded in 2015, automates carbon accounting for the construction industry. The startup emerged from research conducted at EPFL's Building 2050 program, where co-founder Thomas Jusselme developed computational methods for optimizing building designs to meet specific environmental performance targets. The company holds exclusive rights to a patent derived from this academic work.
The platform calculates Life Cycle Assessments, which measure the total carbon emissions of construction projects from material extraction through building completion. This data helps developers, architects, and construction firms manage carbon budgets and comply with increasingly stringent European regulations, including requirements for LCA documentation on all new buildings by 2027 under the EU's Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.
Vizcab has grown to employ over 50 staff members. The company raised €5 million in initial Series A funding in 2023, followed by an additional €4.5 million, with backing from investors including KOMPAS VC, Cemex Ventures, and Global Brain. The capital supports expansion across European markets beyond its established presence in France.
The platform integrates with standard construction software tools, allowing stakeholders to track carbon performance throughout project development. Vizcab also offers free tools, including an Excel add-in for assessing material carbon impacts and a Campus platform for exploring carbon data. The company addresses a specific industry challenge: materials account for 90 percent of buildings' future carbon emissions, making early-stage carbon planning essential for achieving net-zero construction targets.