Turning building inspections from weeks to days with AI

This article is a part of Startup Spotlight, a series that features young, up-and-coming startups.

Image credit: Timmy Loen

In 2016, building inspections still required workers to hang from ropes and gondolas just to photograph facades. This manual approach was slow, dangerous, and yielded fragmented data.

An early pilot with Singapore’s JTC proved drones could shrink inspection times from weeks to days. This prompted Shaun to launch H3 Zoom, using robotics to secure aging real estate.

😟 Problem

Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan mandate periodic facade inspections for older structures to prevent critical failures. Urban properties often rely on manual checks that produce uneven report quality.

Building teams depend on visual assessments using scaffolding and paper checklists. Consequently, facility managers lack reliable methods to pinpoint damage and prioritize maintenance budgets.

💡 Solution

H3 Zoom digitizes the building inspection workflow through AI-powered condition assessments and reality-capture tools, including: 

• Data capture: Drones, 360-degree cameras, and autonomous mobile robots collect detailed images of building interiors and exteriors.
• Defect detection: AI models identify and classify structural issues, such as spalling concrete, water seepage, and corrosion.
• Digital mapping: The platform overlays detected defects onto digital elevations and floor plans for precise locating.
• Automated reporting: The system generates compliance-ready inspection reports to help teams track rectification status over time.

Image credit: H3 Zoom

📊 Market size

The startup targets a US$175 billion global opportunity encompassing smart buildings and AI condition assessment. Stricter compliance expectations and limited skilled labor accelerate demand for automated maintenance workflows.

🤝 Team

• Shaun Koo. CEO and founder. He combined his experience across software, analytics, and the built environment to create the platform.
• Kai Jian Tan. AI and data engineering lead. He brings nearly two decades of experience across software engineering, cloud infrastructure, enterprise architecture, and AI.
• Chee Wai Lim. Senior finance manager. He brings over ten years of experience across Nasdaq-listed companies, high-growth startups, and regional operations.

🚀 Traction

• Supported more than 10,000 inspections globally across 150 B2B clients in seven countries.
• Achieved positive EBITDA in March and April 2026.
• Delivered around US$2.1 million in revenue during FY2025.
• Secured a US$388,000 SaaS contract with Malaysian property developer S P Setia.
• Selected as a top 50 finalist in SuperAI’s Genesis Startup Competition.

🏆 Competition

H3 Zoom competes with reality-capture platforms like OpenSpace and drone inspection software such as Hammer Missions. Traditional engineering consultants still relying on spreadsheets form another major alternative.

💰 Financials

🚩 Risks