Attentive AI successfully closed a $7 million Series A funding round. The investment is led by Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India, with continued support from previous investors, Peak XV’s Surge and InfoEdge Ventures and an additional stake taken by Tenacity Ventures through a secondary investment.
“We are more than ready to scale our AI-led offerings and reach out to a broader array of businesses,” said Shiva Dhawan, CEO and co-founder of Attentive AI. “This funding round shows our potential and the trust our investors have in our ability to transform the landscaping and construction sectors with AI-powered tech.”
Attentive AI’s recently launched Accelerate a platform designed to streamline the entire landscape management process by integrating end-to-end business management capabilities with AI-based workflows. The result, according to the company, is a platform that simplifies bidding for outdoor contracts through automated site measurements & enhances operational efficiency for businesses of all sizes.
Accelerate features that automate sales processes, operational workflows, production planning with overtime alerts and live sales pipeline tracking. It also tackles common industry pain points, such as ghost clock-ins, and integrates aerial and blueprint takeoffs.
“This is wonderful for our Attentive team and honestly, the industry as well, with Accelerate, we’re doing important work that is impacting businesses and, more importantly, people’s lives,” added Shawn Prince, vice president of business development for Attentive AI.
Reflections Water Gardens wins several ILCA awards
Reflections Water Gardens in West Dundee, Ill., received top honors and four design awards from the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association (ILCA).
The awards represent the “Specialty Element” category and were given during the recent ILCA industry banquet. Entries were voted on by industry peers who are association members.
Reflections “Retirement Plan” project won a platinum award, given to an entry that achieves the highest score in the category, for its natural swimming pool with waterfall and lotus and lily beds. The project also won a gold award for its scope, versatility and attention to detail.
The client requested an irresistible space to tend her favorite perennials, shrubs and water plants, as well as a natural environment to enjoy with her husband and three dogs. Her retirement plan was to relax, watch birds, observe aquatic life, swim and entertain year-round. To accomplish this, Reflections Water Gardens renovated an existing 5,000-square-foot pond, which retained water runoff and designed and built a custom water feature including a 3-foot waterfall, separate water lily and lotus beds, an aspen inlet, perimeter walking path and sand beach.
The design included a Chicago Botanic Garden-inspired zig-zag bridge and deck, four-season gazebo and cottage-style barn for the pond’s mechanicals, including a 2,500 square foot filter.
“Our philosophy is to work hard, do our best and build water features that emulate nature’s. Receiving four prestigious awards for work we love to do for people we care about is humbling and an honor,” said Larry Carnes, founder and president. “Getting the platinum award is exciting for us, totally unexpected and definitely inspiring.”
The contractor also took home a gold, silver and merit award for other projects.
Devon Creek opens franchising initiative
Devon Creek Landscaping, a full-service commercial landscaping and design company in Bohemia, N.Y., is expanding its corporate footprint with a new program, Devon Creek Landscaping for Franchise.
“For over 30 years I have been involved in growing landscape design/build and maintenance companies by applying a proven system of management,” said Steven Alessandro, CEO of The Devon Creek Franchise Group. “I have seen this business expand from a novel trade to a multi-billion-dollar industry, and it’s now time for us to bring franchisees into the Devon Creek family.”
Devon Creek will offer franchisees hands-on training, proprietary job costing systems, estimating software, corporate consultation and one-on-one management mentorship.
Case to showcase new machines at ARA Show
Case Construction Equipment will highlight its next generation of machinery at The American Rental Association Show (booth No. 4651) in New Orleans, Feb. 18-21.
Case will showcase its latest models and product lines, including backhoe loaders, mini excavators, mini track loaders, small articulated loaders and more.
“The equipment rental industry is an extremely competitive space, and to keep ahead, rental businesses need versatile equipment and strong dealer support that can deliver a bigger return on their investments,” said Terry Dolan, vice president, North America, Case Construction Equipment. “That’s why CASE has revamped its lineup with new swift, smart, smooth machines that pack more punch for the price, and we’re backing those machines with unmatched support across North America.”
Case has added telematics throughout its model lineup on nearly all machines, with five years of coverage at no cost to the customer.
Among the machines Case will highlight at the show are the Utility Plus backhoe loader, the telescopic SL12 TR small articulated loader, the TL100 stand-on mini track loader.
Other highlights include new operator-friendly mini excavators (including an all-electric model), B Series compact track loader models and a high-performance rough-terrain forklift with a brand-new option for a factory-designed, built and installed cab. A wide range of attachments will also be on display, including buckets, hydraulic compactors, augers and root grapples.
DR Power Equipment mower wins design award
Generac Power Systems a designer and manufacturer of energy technology solutions and other power products, received five accolades from the 2023 Good Design Awards in the building materials category.
“It is an honor to be recognized by the Good Design Awards. We strive to create designs that are highly functional for customers and also progressive in their impact and relevance for a better future,” said Randy Sandlin, senior vice president of global product management and industrial design. “These four winners are great examples of providing visually stunning designs while giving customers great products that meet their needs and interests.”
Products that received recognition included the DR Power Equipment ZT5e Zero-Turn battery-powered mower and the Generac GB1000 and GB2000 portable power stations.
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