Introducing the Startup Blueprint series, our way of sharing the stories of founders and team members from some of Aotearoa's most epic and fast-growing startups. Hear about their journeys, learn from their insights, and maybe leave with a dose of inspiration.

To kick the series off we speak with Milot Zeqiri and Brittany Gribben, co-founders of ArchiPro, the all-in-one platform helping kiwis find trusted products and professionals for their building projects. They founded ArchiPro in 2014 and have scaled rapidly, becoming one of Aotearoa's fasting growing tech startups with over 186,000 registered users and followers.

Icehouse Ventures joined ArchiPro in their journey in 2021. Read on to learn more about how ArchiPro started, Brittany and Milot's learnings when it comes to scaling quickly, growing a team, and entering new markets, and what they'd do differently if given the chance.

Archipro has become a household name since your launch in 2014 but for those who may not know, tell us about ArchiPro and what you do?

MZ: ArchiPro is a comprehensive platform for the architecture and building industry, that serves both businesses and homeowners. For businesses, ArchiPro offers a marketplace where they can showcase their products and services to a targeted audience of architects, builders, designers and homeowners who are actively searching for solutions for their building projects.

For homeowners, ArchiPro is an all-in-one platform where they can find inspiration for their building projects, connect with trade professionals, and discover the latest architectural products on the market. With a vast network of products and services, ArchiPro is a one-stop shop for all homeowners' building needs, making it easy for them to find what they need for their projects.

You co-founded the company together, how did you come up with the idea and why are you passionate about building this business?

BG: Our personal experiences with building and renovating homes, as well as our backgrounds in selling products to architects and homeowners, gave us firsthand knowledge of the difficulties of finding trusted professionals and products, as well as the high cost of reaching potential customers. This has given us a deep understanding of the challenges faced by those in the building and renovation industry from both sides, homeowners and those marketing their products and services to them.

This is what inspired us to create ArchiPro - a platform that streamlines the process of finding the right professionals and products for building projects. Our mission is to make it easier for homeowners, architects, and builders to find what they need and connect with each other, ultimately saving them time and money. We are passionate about building this business because we believe in creating a more efficient and accessible marketplace for the industry.

MZ: ArchiPro’s vision is to empower humanity to create better spaces in which we experience life. Mission: to simplify the end-to-end building experience.

To this day, almost 9 years into business, we still believe that ArchiPro has the potential to revolutionise the way people work in the architecture and building industry. By providing a comprehensive and easy-to-use platform, we are helping businesses grow, saving time for homeowners and trade professionals, and ultimately improving the quality of buildings and spaces for everyone.

Your team has grown rapidly just like your user base, how do you determine the roles you need to hire for and what qualities do you look for when hiring new team members?

BG: Our team is our most valuable asset and we are very conscious about who we bring on board. When determining the roles we need to hire for, we look at our current business objectives and what skills and expertise we need to help us achieve those goals.

When it comes to hiring new team members, we look for individuals who are passionate about what we do and have an interest in the architecture and building industry.

Most importantly, we look for individuals who share our vision of "empowering humanity to create better spaces in which we experience life." We believe that having team members who are aligned with our mission and values is key to our success and allows us to work towards a common goal.

The ArchiPro team

You’ve launched successfully in Australia and begun expanding into other countries, what’s your approach for identifying and launching into new markets?

MZ: We start by researching the local market and understanding the unique needs and demands of the industry in that particular region. This includes evaluating the competition and conducting market analysis to ensure that there is a clear demand for our platform.

Once we have a solid understanding of the market, we then focus on building strong relationships with local industry partners, including architects, builders, and suppliers. This helps us to better understand the local market and identify any potential challenges that may arise during the launch process.

Ultimately, our approach to launching into new markets is centred around our commitment to providing the best possible experience for our users. We strive to bring our platform to new markets in a way that meets the unique needs of the local industry and provides a valuable resource for architects, builders, and suppliers.

"Ultimately, our approach to launching into new markets is centred around our commitment to providing the best possible experience for our users. We strive to bring our platform to new markets in a way that meets the unique needs of the local industry and provides a valuable resource for architects, builders, and suppliers."

Along with market expansion, you’ve also raised internationally from firms like Tiger Global (impressive). What’s important to you when selecting an investor to work with?

MZ: When it comes to selecting investors, our primary focus is finding partners who share our vision and values. We are building a business that aims to empower humanity to create better spaces in which we experience life, and it's crucial for us to work with investors who understand and support that mission.

BG: Another key factor for us is alignment of interests. We want to work with investors who are truly invested in our success and will be there for us through the ups and downs of building a business.

Ultimately, selecting the right investor is a critical decision, and we are very selective in who we work with. We want to make sure that the partnership is a positive and productive one, and that we have the support and resources we need to achieve our goals.

You’ve just moved into your new offices, how have your workspaces changed over the years? At what point do you begin looking for your own or a larger space?

MZ: We're a rapidly growing company, so our workspace needs have changed significantly over the years. In the early days, we operated out of our home and then a small shared office space as we focused on building out our platform and establishing our presence in the market. As our team grew and our business expanded, it became necessary to move into a larger space that could accommodate our growing team and provide a more professional environment for our clients and partners.

We believe that our workspaces should be a reflection of the architecture and homes that you can find on ArchiPro. It was important for us to create a space that not only represents our brand but also gives our team a chance to experience what it's like to live in an architectural home. Our new offices were designed to be more like a residential space, with a lot of the products used being residential in nature, giving our team a sense of "working from home" while still being office-based.

Ultimately, our goal is to provide our team with the best possible workspace, so that they can continue to do their best work and drive the success of the business. Whether it's a small shared office space or a large headquarters, we are always looking for the right space to help us achieve our goals and continue to grow as a company.

What’s one thing you’d do differently if you went back in time to build ArchiPro from the ground up and one thing you’d definitely repeat/do again?

MZ: I would have invested more time and resources into developing our technology infrastructure from the very beginning. In the early days, we were focused on getting the platform up and running and connecting with architects, builders and other industry professionals, but looking back, I realise the importance of having a solid technology foundation in place. This would have allowed us to scale more effectively and respond to the needs of our users more quickly.

On the other hand, there is one thing I would definitely repeat and do again, and that is our focus on user experience. From day one, we have been laser-focused on creating a platform that is easy to use and provides real value to architects, builders, and other industry professionals. This has been a key factor in our success and has helped us build a loyal user base over the years. It's a principle that has guided us every step of the way and will continue to do so as we grow and expand our business in the future.

"Looking back, I realise the importance of having a solid technology foundation in place. This would have allowed us to scale more effectively and respond to the needs of our users more quickly."

🔥 3 quick-fire questions 🔥

First tab/webpage you open when you sit down at your computer in the morning

ArchiPro of course!

Most useful resource you’ve listened to/read/absorbed recently that you’d recommend to others

Invest like the best with Patrick O’Shaughnessy

A word or phrase that reflects how you intend to approach 2023

Prudent Growth

Check out ArchiPro's website here, drool-worthy Instagram here, and the open roles they're currently hiring for here.