Invent Dev Inc

A frustrating condo purchase in Mississauga, Ontario, set Invent Dev on its path. The founders were asked to picture a home from flat floorplans before it had been built, and the software company that grew from that experience now makes the Digital Model Home, a photorealistic three-dimensional simulation of a whole development. The model is dimensionally accurate, so a buyer can see the real proportions of each space.

Buyers use the model to test options before they commit. They can compare floorplans, swap finishes and upgrades, and walk through every room, either at home or in a sales centre. The company says it adopted virtual reality early, and that the tools are designed to make buying a home more informative and less stressful than a standard sales visit.

Renovation planning with Invent Showrooms

The newer product, Invent Showrooms, applies the same visualisation approach to home improvement retail. It lets a shopper design a renovation using a retailer's full catalogue and see the result before buying. Invent Dev says this gives people a clearer picture of what they are purchasing, which it expects to lead to better sales and fewer returns for the retailer.

Where the products have been used

According to the company, its products have helped sell hundreds of homes in North America and beyond, and have been used on developments across Canada, the United States and China. It names a range of media outlets that have featured its work, from national newspapers and business television to a major technology brand. Its stated mission is to make the home buying journey more informative, more enjoyable and less stressful.