For better or worse, emerging tech like AI-powered data science is touching every corner of the global market. In Eric Owusu Sekyere’s case, he leverages such technology to connect contractors and manufacturers with architects and property builders, making the construction process more efficient and helping talented professionals find work.
As a young professional who quickly rose through the ranks of one of the biggest mobile app providers in the world, Eric is making waves in the construction industry and is transforming how properties get built.
Learn more about his journey, his work, and his vision for how modern construction professionals can use data to improve their careers.
From Down Under to Up Top
Eric’s professional journey began in Australia, where he consulted with the country’s biggest retail companies, experimenting and improving their sales strategies. After demonstrating his expertise in real-world settings, he was picked for a Startmate fellowship and got the opportunity to transition to startups in the U.S.
Setting his sights even higher, he soon ended up working at DoorDash as a data scientist. It was here that he built out a consumer analytics team to help the brand expand to new verticals, a team that ended up being key to DoorDash’s growth.
Over the course of his work with the global app giant, Eric quickly advanced and paced ahead of his peers. He was soon promoted to manager in recognition of his hard work and excellence.
However, Eric knew that he was still destined for greater things, and he eventually left DoorDash to co-found Brace.
How Eric Owusu Sekyere Is Solving Construction with Data Science
Anyone who works in construction will tell you that the industry is rife with inefficiencies. Just to name a few, professionals lack a seamless way to generate leads, obtain comprehensive data from building departments, and acquire the proper permits and entitlements.
Traditional methods for solving these issues typically rely on slow, manual processes that are prone to errors and delays. And because modern construction relies on timeliness and precision more than ever, these challenges are increasingly impacting project outcomes and profitability.
However, experts like Eric know that data science offers a clever solution to challenges like these thanks to its ability to provide actionable insights that can be used to modernize processes and transform clunky workflows, allowing construction companies to improve planning, reduce costs, and enhance overall efficiency.
While Eric had no background in construction, he knew plenty of people in the industry and had a lot of discussions with them, quickly becoming intimately familiar with the inefficiencies of modern construction. It was from these conversations that the idea for Brace was born.
The Power of Brace
Brace is a data-driven platform that connects local hard-working subcontractors and building materials suppliers with architects and property managers, helping professionals intelligently find new work.
It does this by collecting and cleaning data from building permits and entitlements, rapidly gathering actionable leads for professionals by determining what kinds of subcontractors and materials an architect might need to successfully complete a project, and then connecting them with the appropriate worker. This also allows materials sales reps to quickly engage with architects and get their specialty products specified into building plans, creating a significant competitive advantage by essentially forcing the architect to work with a specific vendor.
This same technology leverages predictive analytics to forecast demand and optimize resources, helping professionals allocate time, budget, and personnel and manage their work more effectively.
Because Brace already analyzes permits and entitlements, it can also help project managers complete their applications consistently and successfully. Securing these permits can often be complex and fragmented, but Brace streamlines the process by providing real-time recommendations to improve approval rates based on previously successful applications.
Finally, Brace assists professionals by obtaining comprehensive data from building departments. With over 11,500 building departments in the U.S. alone, each with its own system, gathering and analyzing this data is both challenging and time-consuming. Brace solves this problem by collecting, cleaning, and integrating data from various sources, making it accessible and actionable.
Eric’s Vision for Data Science and Construction
Through Brace, Eric Owusu Sekyere is addressing some of the most pressing challenges in the construction industry. However, his leadership extends beyond his technical contributions. He also actively mentors young talent and judges hackathons, sharing his knowledge and inspiring the next generation of tech professionals.
Eric’s goal for Brace is to disrupt a trillion-dollar industry and showcase the power of data to drive innovation and efficiency. The promise of data science to turn traditional industries like construction on its head is clear, and Eric’s work at Brace is paving the way for future innovations.
