Last Week in ConTech - 11 December 2023
Unlocking sand supply + using AR Glasses on site
ConTech Roundup - A summary of the construction technology (ConTech) startup funding, news, acquisitions, policy and regulatory changes which occurred this week.
Last Week in ConTech - 11 December 2023
In this issue there are:
12 Startup Fundings
6 Policy and Regulatory Changes
2 New investment funds
5 Acquisitions
9 News articles
Reading time: 6m 30s
Startup Funding
Materials
ClimateCrete, a Californian startup, raised $3.3m in Series A funding. They make previously unusable local sand into a sustainable aggregate suitable for concrete production. More here.
Note:
Sand is the 2nd most consumed natural resource after water and ideally sand sourced from rivers (angular water-eroded edges bind better) is to be used in concrete, the supply of which is rapidly dwindling. The high demand for sand is resulting in the illegal mining of rivers, impacting biodiversity and reducing climate resiliency. This solution allows sand from other sources (such as deserts) to be used in concrete unlocking much needed supply.
Related: The world is 'running out of sand', and it's fuelling murders, mafias and ecological devastation and The Great Sand Grab.
Cambium Carbon, a New York startup, raised $5.3m in seed funding. They are building a carbon negative wood supply chain platform which connects businesses requiring wood with landowners who grow it sustainability. More here.
[Hiring - 1 role in Sales, 1 role in Operations]
Strong by Form, a Spanish startup, raised $5.2m in seed funding. They are developing a wood based composite for lightweight high performance applications as a sustainable alternative to concrete and steel. More here.
Training
Squint, a Californian startup, raised $13m in Series A funding. They provide a technology platform which uses augmented reality (AR) for factory workers who need dynamic contextual help mapped to the world around them. This helps to guide operators through complex processes. More here.
[Hiring - 2 roles in Sales, 1 role in Operations, 5 roles in Software]
Note:
This technology has been proposed for the construction industry using Hololens glasses.
For example, car manufacturers have provided AR glasses to their service technicians. When requiring assistance, they wear these and are provided with remote viewing and instruction by experienced technicians.
For construction labour, there is often no mentor or worker connection to set up training support and guidance ahead of time due to the varied nature of jobs and projects.
AR technology provides the opportunity for organizations to provide head office based remote support and mentorship to field workers reducing in person training time and improving the scalability of operations.
Kahuna Workforce Solutions, a Texas startup, raised $21m in Series B funding. They are building a skills management and training platform for field services, energy and manufacturing industries. More here.
[Hiring - 1 role in Sales]
Building Electrification
Marin Clean Energy, a Californian startup, received $158m in grant funding. They will be providing low or no cost electric upgrades for 3600 low and middle income households. More here.
Zevvy, a Swiss startup, raised CHF1.2m in funding. They are building a software platform to manage property energy costs.
Transport
Hayden AI Technologies, a Californian startup, raised funding (undisclosed). They provide traffic violation enforcement services using image analysis technology and offer a traffic volume forecasting solution. More here.
[Hiring - 8 roles in Sales, 1 role in Marketing, 6 roles in Software]
Workforce Management
Gravel, an Indonesian startup, raised $14m in funding. They provide an app to make it easier to source skilled construction workers, source tools and materials, complete on demand home repairs and complete projects with lump sum contracts. More here.
[Hiring - 5 roles in Sales, 3 roles in Operations, 1 role in Software]
Robotics
Gecko Robotics, a Pittsburgh startup, raised $100m in Series C extension funding. They make inspection robots which can assess the safety and condition of physical infrastructure. More here.
Construction
Machinery Partner, a Boston startup, raised $8m in Series A funding. They are building a B2B marketplace which connects builders, contractors and subcontractors with manufacturers and distributors of heavy machinery and offers financing solutions. More here.
[Hiring - 3 roles in Operations, 4 roles in Software]
Other
Arkeus, an Australian startup, raised $4.45m in seed funding. They have developed a hyperspectral Optical Radar (HS-OR) system to provide real time understanding and monitoring of areas. Initially focused on the defence sector, the solution may have applications with the construction sector in monitoring. More here.
Policy & Regulatory Changes
Construction firms must prepare for next wave of building safety reform
On 1 October 2023 the main provisions of the Building Safety Act 2022 (UK) came online. This is the primary legislation which establishes a framework for building safety both during design and construction and in occupation.
For projects where more than one contractor is involved, a principal contractor and/or designer must be appointed.
All parties now face statutory duties to ensure buildings comply with the functional requirements of building regulations.
The next wave of changes come into force in April 2024. At this time approved inspections will need to register as building control bodies to continue working.
COP28: Global push for near-zero emission buildings
The Buildings Breakthrough initiative was announced at COP28.
It aims to foster international collaboration for decarbonising the built environment sector by aiming for near-zero emission and resilient buildings by 2030.
28 countries including the US and China have pledged commitment.
In the lead up to COP28, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and Arup, an engineering design consultancy published a report ‘Net Zero Operational Buildings: State of the Art’ calling for a clearer global definition on what a net zero building is.
Detroit installs America's first wireless EV charging track
A quarter mile section of road in Detroit can now wirelessly charge EVs (if equipped with receivers) by transferring electricity via a magnetic field.
The technology was developed by Electreon, an Israeli startup.
Heat pumps cool and heat homes using electricity.
The California Energy Commission aims to 4x the number of homes with heat pumps to 6m by 2030.
Related: DOE allocates $169M to propel electric heat pump manufacturing across 13 states
As noted in July funding for HVAC startups is surging as the number of Heat Pumps with 3x this decade.
White House proposes nationwide lead pipe replacement
9 million lead water pipes are proposed for upgrade over 10 years.
The scheme would cost $20-30b.
It’s part of the Biden-Harris Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan.
Poland has given approval to the construction of 24 small modular nuclear reactors at 6 sites
Related: Small modular nuclear reactors (SMR) are a growing trend. As mentioned in this issue Illinois (US) also now allows construction of SMR.
New Funds & Acquisitions
Antin Infrastructure Partners, a Parisian investment firm, raised a €1.2b fund for sustainable infrastructure investments. More here.
Brookfield, a Toronto investment firm, raised a $28b fund for investments in infrastructure which support the energy transition. More here.
Smart Metering Systems, a British company providing smart meter technology and battery energy storage systems was taken private by KKR for £1.4b. More here.
Harrington Process Solutions, a Californian company providing piping and flow control process solutions, acquired PumpMan. They are a New Jersey company providing maintenance and repair for water and wastewater pumping systems. More here.
Crafco, an Arizona company providing pavement preservation solutions acquired PoreShield, a patented soy based protectant which extends concrete service life. More here.
ToolWatch, a Colorado company providing construction operations solutions acquired busybusy, a developer of time tracking software for construction. More here.
Eco Modular, a UK based provider of sustainable manufactured modular buildings will go public via SPAC with an expected $600m valuation. More here.
News
First Graphene updates on the conclusion of second phase of graphene-enhanced cement trials
First Graphene has completed the second phase of its graphene enhanced cement trails with Breedon Cement, the UK’s largest cement producer.
Phase 1 exhibited a 15% reduction in carbon emissions and 10% increase in cement strength.
Phase 2 results are expected in January 2024.
State of Built World Climate Tech (AO Proptech)
Is Construction Tech Approaching An Adoption Ceiling? (Builtworlds)
10 built environment startups to watch (Sifted, paywall)
Which Construction Tasks Have Gotten Cheaper? (Construction Physics)
DARPA selects ICON for LunA-10 Architecture study to accelerate economic vibrancy of the moon
Contech startups swim in cash as established firms face pressure (Construction Dive)
Modular Construction Reports & Industry Analysis
Top Carbon Management Tools for the AEC Industry
If I missed anything this week, please reply and let me know! I’ll make sure to include it next week