New Construction Ai Built a Startup with Staying Power
In the fast-paced world of tech startups, few journeys are as emblematic of grit, pivots, and partnership as the story of Revent. Founded by Adin Jacobs and Ben Couris, Revent’s early vision may have looked very different from the AI-powered construction bidding platform it’s becoming today, but at its core, the mission has always been the same: build something that solves a real-world problem.
The path from concept to company has been anything but linear. What began as a blockchain-enabled NFT ticketing startup has evolved into a platform built to serve one of the most complex and under-digitized industries in America: construction. And along the way, Revent found more than just investors. They found true strategic partners in LeadWell Advisory Partners.
The Origin Story
Revent’s founding team wasn’t short on ambition. They were young entrepreneurs with a bold idea and the determination to bring it to market. But as Adin and Ben quickly discovered, vision alone doesn’t close deals, build scalable systems, or attract consistent revenue. They needed capital, yes—but more importantly, they needed guidance.
“From the very beginning, we were looking for investors who would actually roll up their sleeves with us,” says Adin. “Not just cut a check and wait for returns, but help us shape the company we were trying to build.”
The connection to LeadWell came through another investor who had previously been pitched by the Revent founders. Recognizing the potential in the team, he made an introduction to LeadWell’s team: Jason and Torrey Barnhouse, and eventually, Zach Westfall and Emma Barnhouse.
From the first few conversations, the chemistry was clear. LeadWell’s unique blend of investment and embedded advisory work was exactly what Revent needed. They weren’t just looking for funding; they needed co-pilots for the road ahead.
The Early Days: Strategic Guardrails
“When we first started working with LeadWell, we were still exploring the NFT ticketing concept,” recalls Ben. “They helped us think more critically—not just about what could be built, but what should be built.”
It was the kind of strategic support that startups rarely get from traditional investors. Weekly check-ins, honest conversations, scenario planning. Over time, the product concept evolved, and eventually, it became clear that the NFT ticketing idea wasn’t the scalable, high-impact solution they’d hoped it would be.
So they pivoted.
With LeadWell as a sounding board and strategic filter, Revent shifted its focus—first toward another concept, and ultimately toward a space that was hiding in plain sight: construction.
“We realized that the construction industry is full of inefficiencies that no one’s really solved with tech yet,” says Adin. “Bid estimation, in particular, is complex, time-consuming, and expensive. We saw an opportunity to streamline it using AI.”
The Product-Market Fit Pivot
Landing on construction bidding as a focus wasn’t just a tactical move; it represented a turning point in Revent’s maturity. Instead of building something novel for novelty’s sake, the team zeroed in on an entrenched industry problem—and started crafting a real solution.
LeadWell’s role evolved too. No longer just sounding boards, they became embedded operators: sales mentors, funnel designers, industry translators. With deep expertise in construction, LeadWell was uniquely positioned to support this pivot—not just from a business lens, but from a customer acquisition standpoint.
“We’re about to hit a new chapter with them,” says Ben. “Now that we’ve landed on a product that really fits their domain knowledge, we’re excited to start shadowing their team, learning how they sell, and tapping into their experience.”
Revent’s new offering is AI-powered bid estimation for commercial construction. The platform enhances the efficiency and accuracy of RFP responses, cutting down the time it takes to produce detailed, competitive bids. As the founders describe it, it’s not just automation—it’s applied intelligence.
Building Infrastructure Together
With product-market fit within reach, Revent is now focused on two key goals: validating the platform with real users and expanding their client base. Revenue is on the horizon, but the immediate focus is feedback loops and infrastructure.
“We’re measuring success by whether the product actually solves a real problem,” says Adin. “Are people using it? Are they getting value? That’s what we care about most right now.”
The partnership with LeadWell is evolving again to meet this new phase. While early support focused on ideation and strategy, the upcoming phase is all about go-to-market execution. From designing the sales funnel and collateral to providing commission-based sales-staffing, LeadWell is stepping in as a co-builder of Revent’s growth engine.
“LeadWell is going to be a huge asset,” says Ben. “Not only do they understand the buyer personas we’re going after because of their connections in construction, but they know how to sell in this industry. Being able to shadow him and adapt his playbook for our product—it’s exactly what we need.”
A Relationship Built on Trust and Challenge
Weekly calls with LeadWell aren’t check-the-box meetings. They’re intense working sessions that push Revent to think harder and move faster. But they’re also collaborative, full of respect and shared vision.
“Every time we leave a call, we have new ideas,” says Adin. “New ways to approach a problem, or new things we hadn’t considered. They’re not just consultants—they’re in the fight with us.”
Still, the founders recognize that their traction has limited the scope of what LeadWell can deliver. “We haven’t always given them a stable product to work with,” Ben admits. “So it hasn’t been fair to expect full results yet. But we’re getting there—and I think by the end of this year, we’ll finally be able to test their full potential.”
That kind of mutual accountability is rare in investor-founder relationships. And it’s exactly why the Revent–LeadWell partnership stands out.
Looking Ahead
For Revent, the next six months are critical. With a focused product, a defined audience, and an advisory team in lockstep, they’re poised to move from pre-revenue experimentation into full-on execution.
Landing deals. Gathering feedback. Expanding outreach. Scaling systems.
And through it all, LeadWell remains a constant—a source of challenge, support, and strategic clarity.
“When we talk to other founders or advisors,” says Adin, “we realize how lucky we are. Not everyone has a team like LeadWell in their corner. They’re not just along for the ride. They’re helping us steer.”
If the early journey has been about finding their footing, the road ahead is about acceleration. And thanks to a shared belief in partnership, purpose, and persistence, Revent and LeadWell are hitting that road together.