BOSTON— A group of former Amazon Robotics leaders has secured $20 million in Series A funding to scale a new venture aimed at solving one of America’s most urgent issues: the housing crisis.
Reframe Systems, co-founded by Vikas Enti, Felipe Polido, and Aaron Small, is applying advanced robotics, AI, and automation to reinvent how homes are built — replacing outdated, manual construction methods with precision-engineered, factory-built solutions. The startup’s goal? Build one million resilient, site-customized homes by 2045.
The funding round was co-led by Eclipse and VoLo Earth Ventures, with participation from MassMutual Catalyst Funds, Cubit Capital, Planetary Health at RA Capital Management, Saga Ventures, and Nor’easter Ventures.
From Warehouse Robotics to Housing Resilience
The founders previously helped scale Amazon’s fulfillment network, deploying more than 500,000 robots across facilities worldwide. Now, they’re adapting that same level of automation to address the U.S. shortage of more than 4.5 million homes — a crisis worsened by rising costs, outdated processes, and a labor shortfall of 500,000 construction workers.
Reframe’s approach revolves around deployable microfactories that can launch in 100 days and produce up to five homes per week. These factories use proprietary software and “physical AI” — an integration of robotics, vision systems, and construction know-how — to deliver homes 2.5 times faster and at 35% lower cost than conventional methods.
“Physical AI” Brings Homes to Life
“We’re at an inflection point where advancements in AI, robotics, and software are converging to transform industries that have resisted change for centuries,” said Kareem Dabbagh, Managing Partner at VoLo Earth Ventures. “Reframe has engineered a system that brings these capabilities together to address two of the most urgent challenges of our time — climate change and housing shortage — in a way that is practical, scalable, and ready to deploy today.”
Unlike traditional modular homebuilders that rely on centralized production, Reframe’s regional microfactories enable mass customization. Homes are tailored for local zoning codes, climates, and architectural styles using the company’s proprietary “pixels to parts” software. Automated robots handle framing, sheathing, and insulation, while augmented tools and digital instructions support on-site trades.
“The construction industry doesn’t have a building problem — it has an execution problem,” said Charly Mwangi, Partner at Eclipse. “Reframe Systems is turning construction from an unpredictable craft into a reliable, scalable process.”
Designed for Resilience and Speed
All Reframe homes are solar-ready, all-electric, and designed to meet high standards of climate and fire resilience, including ember-resistant vents and non-combustible materials.
“Most modular builders are set up like car factories, producing one product the same way and shipping it everywhere,” said Vikas Enti, Reframe’s CEO. “Our microfactories flip that model. We can adapt a design for the local code, climate, and even neighborhood style in minutes without adding cost or time.”
First Projects Underway in Massachusetts and California
Reframe is already active in the Boston area, with construction underway on two three-story homes in Somerville. Additional projects include 20 units across two multi-family buildings in Somerville, 12 single-family homes in Devens, a tiny home in Woburn, and a bungalow in Altadena, California.
The company is now planning a new microfactory in Southern California, where it hopes to meet both the state’s housing needs and build climate-resilient homes in areas affected by wildfires.
