Greenlite, founded by an ex-Gopuff exec, automates construction permitting
Greenlite, a startup founded by an ex-Gopuff exec, aims to help automate construction permitting. It's raised new capital.
Construction permitting often involves drafting lengthy applications, leading to unpredictable timelines for developers and businesses. There are tens of thousands of jurisdictions — each with their own different forms and application processes for building permits.
Ben Allen knows a thing or two about permitting. While leading business expansion and strategy at Gopuff, Allen was charged with spinning up Gopuff Kitchens, Gopuff’s attempt at ghost kitchens, in hundreds of locations throughout the U.S.
The biggest obstacle his team faced was obtaining the necessary building permits, Allen said.
“The permitting process for developers, builders and governments is largely antiquated and manual,” he told TechCrunch. “For example, some governing bodies only accept or review permit plans on a specific day of the week during specific hours. Without adopting a solution to streamline this process, many cities would be stuck in a time-consuming and costly cycle for current permit processes.”
After leaving Gopuff, Allen was inspired to try his hand at a solution to the conundrum with James Gallagher, a former colleague at Gopuff. Two years ago, the two launched Greenlite, a platform that attempts to standardize the permitting process for customers across multiple jurisdictions.
Using the platform, Greenlite’s customers — which today range from retailers and quick service restaurants to developers and production home builders — can conduct construction plan reviews almost entirely via software. Rival firms like PermitFlow, Accela and Tyler Technologies also offer this capability, but Gallagher argues that they’re more “application submission-oriented” and simplistic.
“Greenlite provides a digital plan review solution that actually delivers permits faster and more transparently,” Gallagher, Greenlite’s CEO, asserted — adding that Greenlite is also authorized to review construction plans and perform building inspections in around 2,000 jurisdictions.
Article