Research-backed opportunity analysis

Average DA Takes 90+ Days in NSW.
40% Rejected First Time. There's a Better Way.

PermitFlow is automating US construction permits. Accela sold for $215M+. OpenGov sold for . In Australia, builders navigate 537+ councils with different rules, spend $5K-$20K per DA in consultant fees, and wait 6-12 months for approval. I did the research. Now I need a co-founder who knows planning and building.

I Know Planning / Building — Let's TalkShow Me the Research
0
Opportunity Score
$0
TAM (Conservative)
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AU Councils
537+ councils with different rules90+ days average DA processing40% rejected first time$1.8B OpenGov acquisition1.2M new homes needed by 202918/25 opportunity score 537+ councils with different rules90+ days average DA processing40% rejected first time$1.8B OpenGov acquisition1.2M new homes needed by 202918/25 opportunity score
The Problem
537+ councils. 500+ page DCPs.
Every DA is a lottery.
Getting a building permit in Australia involves navigating 537+ local councils, each with different development control plans, local environmental plans, and assessment criteria. Builders spend thousands on consultants. Council planners are overwhelmed. Housing delivery is bottlenecked by bureaucracy.

"Average DA processing time: 6-12 months. Some councils take 18+ months."

NSW Planning Research 2025

"98% of mega-projects go over budget, with permitting delays as a major contributor."

Construction Industry Report

"Builders pay $5K-$20K per DA in consultant fees just to prepare the submission."

AU Building Analysis

"Council staff turnover means inconsistent assessment -- same application gets different results depending on who reviews it."

Planning Professional Survey
Global Proof
Someone already built this.
Just not for Australian councils.
Three companies, three massive outcomes. GovTech permitting is a proven category. None of them understand AU-specific DCPs, LEPs, or CDCs.
Series A
PermitFlow
United States
AI-powered construction permitting platform. Automates permit applications, tracks submissions across jurisdictions, predicts approval timelines. Serves US contractors and developers.
$0
Accela
United States · $215M+ Raised
Cloud permitting and licensing for 275+ government agencies. Enterprise-focused. No AU presence.
$0
OpenGov
United States · Sold for $1.8B
Government budgeting, procurement, and permitting software. Acquired by Cox for $1.8B. Validates the govtech thesis at massive scale.
The Gap
Why Australia doesn't have this yet
The opportunity persists for structural reasons that protect whoever enters first.

Hyper-local complexity: 537+ councils

Each council has unique DCPs and LEPs. Planning instruments are in PDFs, not structured data. LEPs and DCPs are 500+ page documents. No one has digitized or normalized these rules.

Three levels of government, no single authority

The problem spans federal, state, and council levels. Complying development certificates, SEPP rules, building certification vs. DA approval -- all AU-specific concepts US tools don't understand.

Government tech procurement is painfully slow

Selling to councils requires patience and specific procurement processes. This is a barrier that protects whoever gets through first -- once a council adopts your tool, switching costs are enormous.

Political will creates tailwinds

Australia needs 1.2M new homes by 2029. Both federal and state governments are actively trying to speed up permitting (National Housing Accord). There's potential for government co-funding.

The Market
The numbers speak for themselves
Australia needs 1.2M new homes by 2029. Every one requires a permit. The permitting system is the bottleneck.
$0
Total Addressable Market
Conservative estimate
0
Local Councils
Each with different rules
$0
OpenGov Sale Price
US proof of category
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New Homes Needed
By 2029
18/25
Opportunity Score
Housing crisis creates massive political tailwinds

Revenue model: Per-application compliance check at $199-$499. Builder subscription at $299-$799/month. Enterprise (certifiers/councils) at $2,000-$10,000/month. 200 builders at $499/month = $1.2M ARR. Government contracts add $50K-$200K per council/year.

The Partnership
Two halves of the same company
I can build the AI platform. I need someone who knows planning law, council processes, and can get the first 10 builders using the tool.

What I Bring

The AI engineering, product, and infrastructure.

  • Full-stack AI engineer. Built 5+ production products from zero.
  • Document intelligence expertise. Can parse 500-page DCP/LEP PDFs into structured rules.
  • AI compliance checking engine. Upload plans, get instant code compliance results.
  • NSW Planning Portal integration experience.
  • Already completed deep market research and competitive analysis.
Tech founder: covered

What I Need

The domain expertise, planning knowledge, and first clients.

  • Deep knowledge of AU planning law: DCPs, LEPs, SEPPs, CDCs, DA processes across states.
  • Experience with council assessment processes. Understands what planners look for and what gets rejected.
  • Network of builders, certifiers, or council planners who would pilot this.
  • Can validate the tool against real applications and real council requirements.
  • Wants to build something massive, not consult on the side.
Domain founder: you?
VS
The Deal
Let's explore this together. Clear division.

This is a co-founder search, not a job ad. I'm looking for someone who wants to own half of this company and build it together from day one.

You Bring

Domain expertise in AU planning/building. Council process knowledge. Industry network. First 10 pilot builders or certifiers.

I Bring

AI/full-stack engineering. Document parsing. Compliance engine. Planning portal integration. Market research already done.

Equity Split

We'll figure out the right structure together. What matters first is whether we're the right fit.

Funding Path

R&D Tax Incentive (43.5%), NSW Smart Places program, Startmate ($120K), then Flying Fox / TEN13 seed round.

"537 council DCPs is a nightmare no US company will touch. That same complexity is your moat. Digitize the rules once, and every builder in Australia needs your tool."

The Roadmap
How we'd build it
Start with CDCs in Sydney. One council, one application type. Expand from there.
1
Week 1-2

Validate with 10 builders and certifiers

Ask: "How long does CDC assessment take? How many get rejected first time? What do you pay consultants? Would you pay $499/month for instant compliance checking?"

2
Week 3-5

MVP: Upload Plans + AI Compliance Check

Upload building plans + site address. AI checks against relevant SEPP/CDC code, flags non-compliances, generates pre-lodgement report with specific code references.

3
Month 2-3

Pilot with first 10 builders

Real-world validation with residential builders in Sydney. Iterate on code accuracy and report formatting. Apply for NSW Smart Places program and Startmate.

4
Month 4-6

Expand: Multi-council, Full DA, Commercial

Add more councils. Full DA preparation. Commercial/industrial permits. Integration with NSW Planning Portal. Target 100 builders. Approach Flying Fox or TEN13 for seed.

Let's Talk

If you know planning law, building codes, or council processes and want to co-found something massive, I'd like to hear from you.

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