YC-backed startup Cogram is recruiting former technical founders to expand its AI platform automating administrative workflows for architects, engineers, and builders, targeting inefficiencies in the $13T construction industry.
Cogram, an AI platform targeting the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sector, is taking an unconventional approach to scaling its technology: actively recruiting former startup founders for key engineering roles. The Berlin-based company, backed by Y Combinator (W22 batch) and Initialized Capital, aims to automate cumbersome project administration tasks like RFIs, submittals, email management, and meeting minutes. This addresses a significant pain point in the $13T global construction industry, which still heavily relies on manual processes and fragmented tools.
The company reports traction with "world-leading architecture and engineering firms" using its platform at scale. Positioned against competitors 100x its size, Cogram leverages AI to handle complex industry challenges including messy real-world data, entrenched workflows, and high-stakes decision-making on job sites. Their technical stack combines Python (FastAPI), Postgres, Redis, React/TypeScript, and React Native/Expo, deployed via Terraform/Kubernetes on AWS and Azure.
Cogram specifically seeks ex-founders for their ability to operate with autonomy in ambiguous environments. The role requires end-to-end ownership: talking to customers, designing features, shipping products, and measuring impact. Candidates must demonstrate experience building production software, proficiency in both backend and frontend technologies, and fluency with AI-augmented development tools. Notably, the job description explicitly rejects "AI slop," emphasizing thoughtful implementation over hype.
Compensation includes €70K-€130K EUR salary, 0.10%-0.50% equity, 38 paid days off, and a remote-first policy with quarterly team offsites. The application process prioritizes demonstrated problem-solving over checkbox qualifications, requesting details about candidates' agentic-coding setups and links to live projects rather than rigid experience requirements.
Cogram's recruitment strategy reflects its ambition to become the default AI platform for design and construction workflows. By targeting builders who've navigated startup challenges, they aim to accelerate development in an industry where digital transformation has lagged despite massive economic scale. With construction productivity growth stagnating at 1% annually over the past two decades (McKinsey, 2017), solutions automating administrative overhead could unlock significant efficiency gains.
Interested candidates can apply through Cogram's Y Combinator job listing.
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