OnSite Secures S$1.7M Seed Funding to Digitise Communication in the Construction Industry

OnSite, a Singapore-based startup developing an AI-powered communication platform for construction and facilities management, has raised S$1.7 million (US$1.3 million) in seed funding. The round was co-led by Tin Men Capital and Alter Global, with participation from Hustle Fund and Gondor Capital. The startup aims to address the digital gap in Singapore's S$53 billion construction industry by replacing fragmented messaging with a purpose-built data management layer.

The platform serves as a direct replacement for consumer apps like WhatsApp, which often lead to information loss and costly disputes. OnSite uses an AI engine to automatically tag and organize voice notes, photos, and texts into a searchable, legal-grade audit trail. This ensures that every piece of site communication is anchored to a specific project, location, and timeline without requiring intensive worker training.

Digital inefficiencies currently cost Singapore's construction sector over S$1.1 billion annually. Despite being a major economic contributor, the industry remains one of the least digitized, relying heavily on paper and phone calls. Globally, inaccurate or inaccessible data cost the industry an estimated US$1.84 trillion in 2020 alone, according to research from Construction Dive.

Co-founders Poh Yong Han and Liam Appelson bring a blend of academic rigor and hands-on experience to the venture. Poh is a Rhodes Scholar with a PhD in anthropology from Oxford, while Appelson holds a physics degree from Yale and has a background in industrial design. Both founders grew up in family renovation businesses, providing them with deep domain familiarity and a focus on intuitive user experience for the blue-collar workforce.

The new capital will be used to expand the engineering team and accelerate the development of advanced AI features. Planned updates include a pocket assistant trained on project chats and predictive risk assessments to prevent delays. OnSite is currently in beta with partners in Singapore and Hong Kong, with a full commercial launch scheduled for later in 2026.