Lumber is modernizing construction’s workforce operations with AI
Most jobsite delays don’t come from late materials or missing permits. They start with a spreadsheet no one updated. A timecard that never got filed. A crew member whose certification expired last week — and no one noticed.
Lumber, founded in San Jose, is quietly fixing one of construction’s most overlooked problems: the workflows that hold the workforce together.
It’s not another dashboard or reporting layer. It’s a field-first platform that helps contractors manage time tracking, onboarding, safety, and payroll in one place — built with the realities of jobsite operations in mind.
As someone who leads eChai’s San Francisco chapter, I’ve spent years learning from founders. But few have shaped how I think about product, people, and quiet execution like Shreesha Ramdas, Lumber’s co-founder and CEO. He’s been a mentor — and watching him build this company has been a masterclass in listening deeply and solving slowly.
Building With the Industry, Not Around It
Lumber was founded by Shreesha Ramdas, a longtime enterprise SaaS operator who previously co-founded Strikedeck (acquired by Medallia). In 2022, Ramdas began speaking with general contractors, payroll managers, and safety leads, and kept hearing the same thing: there were too many systems, and none of them were built for field teams.
“We didn’t want to build software for people sitting in an office all day,” Ramdas said. “We wanted to design something that actually works for the people who show up at 6 a.m. and keep the job moving.”
The company started with mobile-first time tracking — a system simple enough for crews to use from a phone or tablet, but powerful enough to integrate directly into payroll and compliance processes. From there, the product expanded: onboarding, licensing verification, safety documentation, and wage calculations across complex labor rules.
AI That Handles the Details Contractors Don’t Have Time For
AI That Handles the Details Contractors Don’t Have Time For
In March 2025, Lumber raised $15.5 million in Series A funding, led by Foundation Capital, with participation from Tishman Speyer, 8VC, Sure Ventures, Carbide Ventures, and Firsthand Ventures.
The funding is helping Lumber invest further in automation. Its AI systems now assist with:
- Detecting timecard anomalies before payroll is finalized
- Flagging compliance risks like expired certifications
- Managing onboarding steps across large subcontractor teams
- Helping companies stay up to date with changing labor laws
Unlike generic AI platforms, Lumber’s models are trained on construction-specific workflows. The platform integrates with existing software but operates as a control center for crew operations — syncing hours, licenses, safety data, and payments across multiple teams and job sites.
Construction’s Missing Layer
Construction’s Missing Layer
While tools like Procore help manage project documents and progress, Lumber focuses on the people layer: who’s on-site, whether they’re certified, and whether the company is protected. These are the workflows that don’t get headlines — but when they break, everything else slows down.
Construction is a $1.6 trillion industry in the U.S., employing more than 8 million people. Yet for many companies, field operations are still managed with email, PDFs, or last-minute phone calls. Lumber offers a platform that adapts to how jobsites already operate — not one that asks them to change.
“We’re not trying to replace what’s working,” Ramdas said. “We’re trying to make it easier for good teams to do their jobs with fewer headaches.”
What's Ahead
Lumber’s roadmap includes deeper integrations with ERP systems, enhanced support for union compliance, and more AI-driven tools for managing jobsite risk. The company is also expanding across the U.S., working with mid-size contractors and regional firms that often don’t have access to enterprise-grade workforce tools.
The company was briefly featured on the NASDAQ tower in Times Square yesterday — a moment of visibility for a startup that’s mostly focused on building for the people behind the scenes.
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/lumberfi_lumbertakeover-nasdaq-industryleaders-activity-7323359839743524865-SCy8?utm_source=social_share_send&utm_medium=member_desktop_web&rcm=ACoAAAI-esYBPGLfFiDlILo1FUJJoIov1NM9P10
For Lumber, success isn’t about splashy tech demos. It’s about helping the 6 a.m. shift get started without delay.
