Fonn
Acquired2 known investors
Access Fonn is a mobile-first and desktop construction site management platform that handles field-level workflows including drawing version control, snagging, compliance forms, task management, daily reporting, and document approvals. Part of Access Construction, it serves contractors and site teams in the UK and Ireland, giving both on-site workers and office project managers a shared view of project activity.
Also known as Access Fonn · Fonn AS · Fonn Byggemappen
Investors · 2
Company profile
researched Aug 2026Fonn (marketed as Access Fonn) is a construction site management application for mobile and desktop that keeps site crews and office-based project managers working from a single shared project record. Core modules cover document and drawing control with automatic version distribution, markup and side-by-side revision comparison; snagging/defect management with geotagged photo evidence, assignment to subcontractors, auto-chase notifications and exportable snag lists for handover packs; digital safety, compliance and inspection forms including Part L photo capture and Building Safety Act 'Golden Thread' documentation; a Scope of Works work breakdown structure linking phases, drawings, forms, tasks, timesheets and documents; and RFI, submittal and tender package workflows with structured approvals and searchable audit trails.
On desktop the product functions as a portfolio command centre, with cross-project dashboards for issues, progress and tasks, one-click daily reports auto-populated from site activity, digital change-request and variation approval, and timesheets with geo-fenced check-in. It integrates with Access Coins Evo so projects created in the ERP flow into Fonn without manual duplication. Every action is timestamped and geo-tagged to create an evidence trail for disputes, valuations and compliance audits.
The business originated in Norway as Fonn Byggemappen, an iOS, Android and web project management tool for small and medium-sized construction projects, and grew into a platform used by builders, contractors, architects and property developers across European markets before being folded into The Access Group's construction software suite.
Founding story
Co-founder Jan Tore Grindheim, who came from a process- and document-oriented background with 15 years in oil and gas management and completion, identified a gap in the building industry where small and medium-sized projects lacked proper collaboration and completion tools. With co-founders Ingvald Grindheim and John Levi Jørgensen he started Lean Konseptutvikling, validated demand through client interviews, and set out to replace time-consuming meetings and scattered documents and messages with a single app covering communication, file sharing, budget monitoring, milestones and group notifications. Most start-up costs were funded by Innovation Norway and Connect Norway, and the iOS, Android and web applications were built with development partner Zaven. Idealhus AS, led by Nils Eirik Ådnanes, was the pilot client.
Business model
B2B software sold on a subscription basis to construction firms, with service tiers to fit different project needs. Subcontractors can be invited onto projects at no additional cost, and the product advertises unlimited projects and users, with pricing provided on request via demo and pricing enquiries.
Subscription-based revenue from clients in the construction sector under a B2B model with multiple service tiers.
Traction
Preqin reports adoption by more than 50,000 professionals in the construction sector. Reported revenue rose from roughly USD 2.1m in 2018 to USD 5.2m in 2019 and USD 5.6m in 2020, before declining to about USD 4.7m in 2021, with EBITDA and net income negative across those years. Named customers publishing case studies include Excel Group, Natta and Ascia Construction.
Latest developments
The acquisition by The Access Group took effect in May 2025, after which the product was rebranded Access Fonn and positioned within the Access Construction suite with an integration to Access Coins Evo that flows projects created in the ERP into Fonn automatically.
▸Full profile — market position, technology, go-to-market, geography, history, risks & controversies
Market position
Positioned as the site-facing component of the Access Construction software suite, paired with the Access Coins Evo ERP for document management, approvals and site document capture. Preqin describes the platform as adopted by more than 50,000 construction professionals, with products serving European markets.
Emphasis on ease of use for site workers with no formal training required and a one-week go-live path, unlimited projects and users with free subcontractor access, a timestamped and geo-tagged audit trail intended to be defensible in disputes, UK-specific compliance features such as Part L photo capture and Building Safety Act Golden Thread documentation, and native integration with the Access Coins Evo construction ERP.
Technology
Mobile-first applications for iOS and Android alongside a desktop web interface, with real-time synchronisation between field and office. Technical features include automatic drawing version control and read receipts, markup and annotation on mobile and desktop, geotagged and timestamped photo and form capture, geo-fenced timesheet check-in, configurable digital form templates, automated RFI and approval routing with auto-chase, portfolio dashboards, and integration with Access Coins Evo for automatic project creation.
Go-to-market
Direct sales driven by demo and pricing requests on the website, supported by customer case studies and testimonials from contractors such as Excel Group, Natta and Ascia Construction, structured onboarding with go-live in about seven days, and online and telephone support. Distribution is now also through The Access Group's construction software suite and its cross-sell alongside Access Coins Evo.
Main contractors, homebuilders, subcontractors, site teams and office-based project managers, plus developers and design teams; earlier positioning targeted small and medium-sized construction projects, builders, contractors, architects and real estate developers.
Geography
Founded and headquartered in Norway with products serving markets across Europe; current marketing focuses on UK main contractors and homebuilders, including UK-specific regulatory features.
History
The company was founded in 2016 in Norway, with Jan Tore (Jan) Grindheim among the founders, operating initially through Lean Konseptutvikling and building the product under the name Fonn Byggemappen. Early recognition included candidacy for the 2017 Innovation Prize in the Norwegian building industry and two consecutive years of being named one of the four best start-ups in western Norway. Preqin records five funding deals in total, with investors including Idekapital, Investinor and Skagerak Capital. In May 2025 the company was acquired by The Access Group, and the product is now sold as Access Fonn within the Access Construction suite alongside Access Coins Evo.
Risks & controversies
Financial data reported by Preqin shows sustained operating losses, with negative EBITDA in each year from 2018 through 2021 and a year-on-year revenue decline of about 15% in 2021. Reported figures are absent for 2022 to 2024. Public sources also present conflicting figures for the company's total capital raised.
Compiled by commissioned research from 8 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Key figures
latest reportedCompany-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed — not independently audited.
Timeline · 3
launches, deals, and filingsFonn AS was acquired by The Access Group, effective May 2025, positioning the construction project management product within the acquirer's ERP footprint and serving over 50,000 users. The product is now marketed as Access Fonn alongside Access Coins Evo in the Access Construction suite.
The company launched an iOS, Android and web construction project management application, developed with external software partner Zaven, with Idealhus AS as pilot client.
Fonn Byggemappen was a candidate for the 2017 Innovation Prize in the Norwegian building industry and was named, two years running, one of the four best start-ups in western Norway.
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
▸Research sources · 8
primary sources listed
- Fonnfonn.com · web
8 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Fonn do?
- Fonn is a mobile-first construction site management platform, founded in Norway in 2016 and acquired by The Access Group in 2025.
- Who are Fonn's investors?
- Fonn's investors include Idékapital, Skagerak Capital.