Nearly two decades ago, a young college student completed his final thesis on software designed to generate architectural design documents for educational facilities. Al Dram, who was pursuing a degree in architecture—following in the footsteps of his family—found himself captivated by technology. However, there was a significant hurdle: the necessary technology for his concept was not yet available. “Then ChatGPT came along,” Dram reflected, recalling the release of OpenAI’s generative AI chatbot utilizing large language models (LLMs) in November 2022. His long-held idea suddenly appeared much more feasible. Within six months, he launched Blueprints AI, a startup that leverages AI to create code-compliant and permit-ready architectural construction blueprints in mere minutes from a 2D sketch or PDF.
Blueprints AI, which Dram officially incorporated in 2025 in Santa Monica alongside co-founder Coco Cao, has been selected for the 2026 Startup Battlefield 200—a group of promising early-stage startups that will showcase their innovations at this year’s TechCrunch Disrupt, taking place from October 13 to 15 in San Francisco. Over the two decades leading to the establishment of Blueprints AI, Dram earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture from the University of Tehran and completed two years of PhD coursework in digital design at the European Graduate School in Switzerland. He relocated to the United States and founded an architecture firm named Drams Design-Build in 2018. Subsequently, after acquiring a general contractor’s license, he expanded into construction in 2021.
Despite these accomplishments, Dram felt unfulfilled. “I was thinking, okay, maybe I can create new projects that positively impact people’s lives in that area, but it wouldn’t be a significant change,” he expressed. “What excites me about technology is the potential for impact, the time saved, and the energy conserved by reducing repetitive tasks.” At Disrupt, Blueprints AI is set to unveil a more advanced second-generation version of its software. Dram and Cao assert that this upgrade will significantly enhance productivity by automating the repetitive drafting tasks that dominate an architect’s daily responsibilities. “It will create better environments for people because architects will have more time to focus on design,” Dram noted. He estimated that architects currently allocate about 80% of their time to drafting and only 20% to actual design work. “I aim to reverse that ratio to 20-80.”
Dram and Cao first crossed paths at an AI conference several years ago, where they decided to merge their expertise to establish the company. Cao, a data scientist hailing from Hong Kong, oversees sales and market strategy as the chief commercial officer. The duo trained their models using eight years’ worth of approved drawing sets from Dram’s design and construction firm, which remains operational. The initial version of their software generates architectural construction documents and is priced between $3,200 and $8,500 per month, depending on the selected plan, with custom pricing available for enterprises.
The forthcoming second-generation software promises substantial enhancements. Users will be able to initiate a project with a description or sketch and generate comprehensive blueprints encompassing all aspects of a building, including architecture, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and interior design. Version 2 allows for design modifications, an improvement over the first iteration. Notably, any design change will automatically update the entire project and will be verified against local building codes. Early adopters are already utilizing the second version, which Dram indicated will be publicly accessible this week. Furthermore, the startup is already in the process of developing a third version that will incorporate structural analysis and electrical panel design.
According to the co-founders, the technology does not replace licensed architects. Licensed professionals are still responsible for reviewing the documents and applying their seal before submission for permits, ensuring that human judgment remains integral to the process. Blueprints AI is targeting two primary demographics with its new software: professional architecture, engineering, and design firms, as well as developers and real estate owners. The startup offers its software on a subscription basis and may introduce a one-time flat-fee option for clients seeking to utilize it for a single project.
To discover more about Blueprints, explore hundreds of other startups, and hear from notable speakers such as RJ Scaringe of Rivian and Amjad Masad of Replit, attendees are encouraged to join us at TechCrunch Disrupt, commencing Tuesday in downtown San Francisco.
