Investing in AECO ventures from blueprint to breakthrough.
We invest in startups that solve critical challenges in the built environment.
The AECO Venture Fund invests in inception-stage startups that target critical challenges in the architecture, engineering, construction, & operations industries.
This fund leverages decades of deep domain expertise and an extensive network of industry experts from the AECO Innovation Lab to rigorously evaluate and support each investment. With the Lab’s hands-on operational involvement, startups are de-risked at the earliest stages, enabling faster validation and clearer commercialization paths.
This integrated venture creation model generates proprietary deal flow and gives the AECO Venture Fund early access to high-potential startups at attractive valuations, offering a unique entry point insulated from broader market cycles and designed to optimize long-term returns.
What do we invest in?
From idea to industry impact: we provide early capital and deep expertise for AECO innovators.
Founder fit
Ensuring that strong founders are solving massive problems in the AECO industry.
Market potential
Validating that projects address real challenges, with promising revenue potential.
Scaling power
Verifying project scalability from inception to wide-spread user adoption.
Rapid impact
Assuring that solutions will have real-world impact, released at the right time.
Beyond the check
At AECO Venture Fund, we go beyond capital. Our approach is designed to give early-stage AECO innovators the technical, operational, and strategic edge they need to scale real-world impact.
We write the first check
We back founders at inception—often before others are ready to commit. We’re courageous in starting early when the opportunity is clear, the team is strong, and the problem is real.
Deep technical & vertical expertise
We are AECO specialists. With roots in industry, research, and government, our team brings unmatched insight into the complexities of the built environment.
Operational partnership
We don’t just invest—we embed. Our team actively supports ventures with go-to-market strategies, team building, and product development during the most critical early stages.
Built-in studio support
Our close partnership with AECO Innovation Lab gives portfolio companies access to hands-on operational resources, technical experts, and structured support—from Day 1 through Series A.
Rigorous, domain-led due diligence
We combine traditional diligence with deep domain analysis, resulting in high-quality, de-risked deals that other generalist funds often overlook.
Portfolio synergy
Our investments are intentional. We curate a portfolio of companies that can collaborate, complement, and accelerate each other—unlocking shared value across the AECO ecosystem.
Meet the team
At AECO Venture Fund, our leadership blends deep industry experience, operational excellence, and a commitment to reshaping the built environment through early-stage innovation.
Arash Shahi
General Partner
Arash is a venture builder and the founder of AECO Innovation Lab, a leading studio advancing technology in the architecture, engineering, construction, and operators sectors. With over 20 years of experience spanning real estate development, innovation strategy, and startup execution, he has launched and scaled multiple early-stage companies designed to achieve rapid market traction through deep industry alignment.
Shabnam Haghzare
General Partner
Shabnam Haghzare is an AI strategist and innovation advisor with a PhD in Engineering from the University of Toronto and affiliations with the Vector Institute, MILA, and the Schwartz Reisman Institute. Her work bridges technology, public policy, and startup execution.
Her career includes serving as the National AI Lead at Mitacs, advising entrepreneurs, enterprises, and government on applied AI, commercialization, and innovation strategy. She has also consulted on AI safety and surveillance for the public sector.
As General Partner at AECO Venture Fund, Shabnam applies her expertise in scaling AI solutions and navigating emerging tech ecosystems to identify and support early-stage startups reimagining the built environment.
Hugh O'Reilly,
General Partner
Hugh brings decades of leadership in law, risk, and policy to AECO Venture Fund. As founder of Global Acuity Inc., he has advised real estate developers, banks, insurers, and startups. Hugh is a former President and CEO of OPTrust, one of Canada’s largest public pension plans, and has served in senior roles at the Global Risk Institute and C.D. Howe Institute.
Let’s get started
Curious about how we can work together? Reach out to explore opportunities for building lasting value in your projects and investments.
Are you an investor?
Early access to de-risked AECO startups through a proven venture studio model, unlocking outsized returns and proprietary deal flow.
Are you a founder?
We provide capital, deep AECO expertise, and hands-on support from day one to help you validate, build and scale faster.
