Research stage
Before we build anything,
we ask the people who build things.
Ikon Intelligence is a small software start-up at the research stage. We're talking with owners of commercial mechanical, plumbing and electrical contractors and of custom machinery builders to understand how their businesses really run, before we decide what to build.
A research call, not a sales call
We haven't built a product, so there's nothing to pitch and no slides. If we later build something that could fit your business, we'll ask whether you want to see it. No is a fine answer.
What you tell us stays private
We never share your name or your company's name, and we won't quote you, even anonymously, without your written OK. If you choose to share any documents, we sign a mutual NDA first.
Something back for your time
Once we've spoken with enough owners for it to be useful and anonymous, you get a short summary of what owners in your trade are telling us, with no names attached.
Why we're starting here
AI is spreading through office industries much faster than through the businesses that build our buildings and make our machines. In Census Bureau survey data published in 2026, the share of businesses reporting AI use was:
- information and professional-services businesses
- ~4 in 10information and professional-services businesses
- manufacturers
- ~1 in 8manufacturers
- construction businesses
- < 1 in 10construction businesses
In manufacturing, the share more than doubled between 2023 and 2025, so the change is starting. Our view is that what lasts here will be decided less by the technology than by whether it fits how these businesses actually work, and owners know that better than anyone. So we're not asking you about technology. We're asking how your business runs.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey, as summarized by the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, “AI adoption in business grows steadily but unevenly” (May 2026). Manufacturing figure rounded from roughly 12 percent. Shares are of businesses, not workers. The 2023–2025 manufacturing trend uses the survey's earlier, narrower question (AI used to produce goods or services).
What a conversation looks like
- 01
A 30-minute call
By phone or video, at a time that suits you. We ask before recording, and you can say no.
- 02
We listen
We ask how your business runs and what's hardest about running it. You can skip any question.
- 03
We report back
You get the anonymized summary. Whether we talk again is up to you.
Founder
Varindra Persad Maharaj
University of Michigan, BSE in Aerospace Engineering and Computer Science ·
Former Amazon engineer
This isn't my first company. This time I'm spending the first months learning from owners before writing a line of product code. If we spoke on the phone and you'd like to check who I am, this is me.