The initial stage of decision-making in the construction and real estate development sector is often lengthy, complex, and risky. ArchiWise AI, a startup founded by Armenians, aims to transform precisely this phase by bringing together the key analyses required for real estate development within a single platform and enabling developers, investors, brokers, and architects to make faster and more informed decisions.

Created based on the idea of Chris Vardanyan and Avag Simonyan, ArchiWise AI is an artificial intelligence-powered platform designed to manage the most complex decisions in the real estate development process – even before property acquisition and the launch of design work. It combines preliminary site analysis, zoning and legal restrictions, financial feasibility scenarios, permit viability assessments, as well as analyses of natural and market risks. The research is conducted individually for each land parcel.

Currently, ArchiWise AI operates in the U.S. market, though its founders say the technology is universal and could eventually be applied in other countries, including Armenia. Although the project is being launched in the United States, the team primarily works from Armenia.

“We started with one market to simplify the process, but the technology is universal and can be applied in any country,” the founders noted.

“In the real estate sector, we often have to make decisions quickly, but those decisions are not always sufficiently well-grounded. In many cases, delays lead to lost deals,” Chris Vardanyan said, emphasizing that the startup’s idea emerged from his own experience. He has decades of experience in the real estate industry.

According to him, the problem became especially acute at stages when rapid access to information about urban planning restrictions, permitted construction, or approval probabilities was required.

The platform addresses several key challenges. The first is land search. Previously, developers had to rely on brokers and wait weeks for proposals. Now, they can describe their requirements on the platform and receive suitable options almost instantly.

In addition, the system provides data on zoning regulations, permitted development, ownership, and other critical parameters related to land parcels. It enables investors and developers to uncover the true profitability potential of a site, anticipate and avoid fatal obstacles at an early stage, and choose the most viable and commercially efficient development path.

ArchiWise AI also displays potential risks on the map, including those related to floods, fires, earthquakes, and other factors, while also providing demographic and economic data. However, according to the founders, the platform does more than simply collect information – it also analyzes the data and offers the most optimal solutions.

“The platform answers several key questions: where to build, what to build, and whether the project is likely to be approved. What previously took weeks or months can now be done in minutes,” Vardanyan stated.

According to the co-founder, the platform’s operation is based on multilayered legal data at the federal, state, and local levels. The system builds a knowledge base for each city and provides responses based on that data. At the same time, it also analyzes precedents to assess how likely similar projects are to receive approval in a given area.

Nevertheless, the founders emphasize that the platform does not provide absolute guarantees.

“Even official documents can contain errors. We ensure maximum accuracy, but we also show the sources so users can verify the information,” Vardanyan said.

The platform was presented during an industry discussion held at CBRE’s headquarters in Glendale – the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment company. According to the founders, the response was more positive than expected. Participants included representatives of both major companies and local government bodies interested in the platform’s capabilities.

Speaking about the future, the founders are convinced that artificial intelligence can significantly transform the entire real estate development chain.

“Within a few years, it will be possible to carry out the entire cycle – from land search to project approval – on a single platform. Project approvals should not take months or years. The goal is for a person to understand within minutes what is possible and what needs to be adjusted,” Vardanyan noted.

At present, ArchiWise AI is cooperating with several major organizations and has more than a dozen partner companies. The company is currently in an active growth stage. It has already secured initial investment and is preparing to enter a new phase.

At the same time, the team is working on a new solution that will also automate the review of architectural drawings, significantly reducing the time required for the process.