Last Week in ConTech - 28 April 2025
Are Construction Firms Investing in Digital Marketing?
Deep Insight: Are Construction Firms Investing in Digital Marketing?
This week I came across AltCMO’s Construction SEO report (this isn’t sponsored).
My friend
(author of ) is involved there and I often hear the argument that Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and digital marketing aren’t necessary in construction.It led AltCMO to ask a question: are the biggest construction players actually investing in their online presence?
To find out, AltCMO analyzed the websites of every company on ENR’s 2024 Top 400 Contractors list.
One key metric they looked at was Domain Authority (DA), a measure of how likely a website is to rank in search engine results. In construction, a DA score above 30 is considered strong. Among the top 50 firms, only one had a DA below 30.
Interestingly, many of these large firms are government contractors, which raises a chicken-or-egg question:
Did a strong domain ranking come first, or did reputational awareness in the industry drive it?
If reputation came first, it likely boosted backlinks, links from other websites that signal credibility and authority. As a company's brand grows through major projects, community involvement, social media, and industry content, its number of backlinks should naturally rise too.
According to AltCMO, SEO isn’t just about winning new work; it’s also about attracting talent and industry built on relationships but facing a labor shortage. Online presence matters.
When I was a university student, I had very little awareness of construction firms when applying for jobs. Aside from ARUP, which had a strong campus presence, I hadn’t even heard of AECOM (where I later worked) until a friend mentioned it.
AltCMO also tracked each company’s presence in AI tools like ChatGPT.
They asked ChatGPT to summarize each of the Top 400 firms and found that 383 had information to create a short summary of the firm. As more prospective employees use AI to streamline job searches, this AI visibility is of increasing importance.
AI appears likely to recommend companies with high visibility across multiple channels or through features on articles like ‘Best Places to Work’ or have positive google reviews (social media presence could impact here!).
The report had a number of takeaways construction tech startups can use which I’ll riff on another time.
In this issue there are:
10 Startup Fundings
1 Startup Out of Stealth
12 Policy and Regulatory Changes
11 New National Infrastructure Projects & Priorities
1 New investment funds
0 Acquisitions
6 News articles
25 new jobs posted - view here
Reading time: 11 min
Startup Funding
Procurement
Matbook, a San Francisco startup, raised $750k in Pre-Seed funding. They are developing a platform which enables the cross-border procurement of building materials by US contractors and distributors allowing them to easily purchase materials from vetted manufacturers directly, providing live updates throughout the delivery process. More here.
Generative Design
Finch, a Swedish startup, raised €1m in funding. They have developed an AI copilot for architects that uses AI, graph technology, and advanced algorithms to elevate and challenge your design work including enhancing input, providing intelligent suggestions and optimizing workflows. More here.
[View open jobs - 1 role in Data, 1 role in Software]
Green Materials
PHNX Materials, a San Francisco startup, raised $2.5m in Seed funding. They have developed a process to purify contaminated landfill coal ash into ASTM grade fly-ash making it suitable for concrete production. More here.
Notes:
Coal ash is able to substitute 30% of cement by helping bind sand and gravel to make concrete.
The challenge is that ash supply is falling, as, over the last decade, 380 U.S. coal power plants have shut, leaving only 217 operating.
By 2040 there will be a 40Mton shortage of coal ash translating to a 15% increase in cost of concrete.
PHNX materials is able to refine the 2.9 billion tons of US landfilled coal ash into valuable end products.
Adaptavate, an English startup, raised £2.7m in Pre-Series A funding. They are developing and industrializing green construction materials starting with their flagship product, Breathaboard which is a drop in product alternative for plasterboard. More here.
[View open jobs - 1 role in Finance, 1 role in Software]
Reality Capture
SitePace, an Indian startup, raised Seed funding. They have developed an AI powered construction monitoring platform turning helmet-mounted 360° footage into real time site walkthroughs. More here.
Material Decarbonization
Optimitive, a Madrid startup, received investment from CEMEX Ventures. They provide analytics and AI solutions for the operational optimization of heavy industries with a focus on cement equipment providing real time recommendations to reduce equipment downtime and increase production. More here.
Payments
Hokodo, a London startup, raised €10m in funding. They have developed a digital account receivables platform allowing B2B merchants and marketplaces to offer instant and flexible payment terms consolidating payments, collections, credit insurance, fraud management, and financing offering solutions for a range of industries including construction. More here.
Asset Monitoring
CSignum, a Scottish startup, raised £6m in Series A funding. They have developed a wireless technology supporting IoT communications that can reliably transmit data through challenging environments such as water, ice, soil, rock, and concrete, to surface networks gaining traction in asset monitoring of critical infrastructure such as offshore turbines or oil & gas fields. More here.
Landscaping
Yarbo, a New York startup, raised $27m in funding. They are developing a multipurpose autonomous intelligent yard robot able to complete tasks such as lawn mowing, leaf blowing or snow removal. More here.
Other
Lace AI, a Californian startup, raised $14m in funding. They have developed customer service software for home services companies like HVAC and plumbing which uses AI to analyze incoming calls and detect lost revenue opportunities. More here.
[View open jobs - 1 role in Sales, 1 role in Software, 1 role in Product, 2 roles in Customer Success]
Out of Stealth
SADE, a San Francisco startup, emerged out of stealth. They are developing an AI platform that delivers permit-ready structural analysis, reports, and drawings. View website here.
Policy and Regulatory Changes
US
Trump orders federal procurement overhaul
The order gives officials 180 days to simplify the 2,000-page Federal Acquisition Regulation that dictates how the government buys products and services.
In a second order Trump also directed agencies to purchase only commercially available products and services.
This is instead of unique government systems or custom solutions, unless they are given a waiver from the agency’s approval authority.
DOT repeals highway GHG emissions reporting rule
U.S. Transportation Secretary repealed a rule requiring states to monitor and report transportation-related emissions on interstate highways and other major roads.
The rule also required states to establish two-year and four-year statewide targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
It also required metropolitan planning organizations to set four-year targets for their planning areas.
Interior Department to Fast-Track Oil, Gas and Mining Projects
The Interior Department said it would fast-track approvals for projects involving coal, gas, oil and minerals on public lands.
This is as President Trump’s declaration of an energy emergency allowed it to radically reduce lengthy reviews.
Environmental reviews that typically take a year to complete would be finished in 14 days.
More complicated environmental impact statements that usually take two years would be completed in 28 days.
US wants to slap tariffs as high as 3,500% on solar panels from Southeast Asia
US trade officials finalized steep tariff levels on most solar cells from Southeast Asia.
This arose from a case in which American manufacturers accused Chinese companies of flooding the market with unfairly cheap goods.
In order for the tariffs to be finalized, the International Trade Commission must vote in June on whether the industry was materially harmed by the dumped and subsidized imports.
Notes:
These countries supplied more than $10 billion of solar products to the United States last year.
This could have an impact on the economics and therefore construction of solar farms.
Texas House bill would create state nuclear office, funding program
House Bill 14 would establish a state office to promote advanced nuclear supply chain and power generation projects in Texas.
It would also create a fund to provide grants of up to $200 million for eligible nuclear construction projects.
It passed the Texas House of Representatives with bipartisan support and is heading to the senate.
A draft budget calls for the elimination of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) by not providing it any funding at all.
The federal budget is controlled by Congress, not the presidential administration.
However the Department of Health and Human Services has already fired all of the staff working in the LIHEAP office.
The secretary has terminated a $63.9m grant for the Amtrak Texas High-Speed Rail Corridor.
This project was originally announced as a purely private venture.
As cost estimates increased, the proposal became dependent on Amtrak and federal dollars for development work.
EU
Commission invests €86 million to improve climate resilience and water security
The investment is in projects focusing on improving water quality and availability, cleaning up polluted rivers, improving fire and flood protection, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The selected projects are located in Denmark, Estonia, Poland, Slovenia and Iceland.
Half of European Cities Now Have Adaptation Plans
The European State of the Climate report says that 51% of European cities have dedicated adaptation plans in place, up from 26% in 2018.
In 2022 alone, 19,000 adaptation actions were reported, addressing risks to water, buildings, land, agriculture, and health, among other things.
Europe experienced the most widespread flooding since 2013 last year, with property-destroying inundations affecting some 413,000 people.
Flemish Environment Minister to review building permit process
The regulations for building permits will be reviewed to create rules which are less vulnerable to unjustified appeals.
By 2035, an additional 240,000 homes are needed, along with renovations and reconstruction projects.
However, only half of larger residential projects receive initial approval.
One in five granted permits faces an appeal process.
If an appeal reaches the Council for Permit Disputes, half of these permits are annulled.
Oman and Europe Forge First Liquid Hydrogen Corridor Amidst Global Energy Transition
Oman has signed a landmark Joint Development Agreement (JDA).
This is to establish the world's first commercial-scale liquid hydrogen corridor.
It would link the Port of Duqm in Oman to the Port of Amsterdam in the Netherlands and further to Germany's Port of Duisburg.
The corridor aims to export Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO)-compliant liquid hydrogen to Europe.
UK
AtkinsRéalis appointed as UK's first approved drone assessor
AtkinsRéalis' technical experts will assess the flight worthiness of drone designs across various sectors - including cargo, medical deliveries, surveying and media.
This involves evaluating whether commercial operators and designers comply with the CAA's new technical requirements for design, manufacturing and flying characteristics.
National Infrastructure Projects & Priorities
US
Trump Station? Feds take control of Penn Station rebuild, kick MTA off the project
President Donald Trump is taking over the reconstruction of Penn Station and kicking the MTA off the project.
The necessary planning for reconstruction and expansion of Penn Station will be conducted under a single grant, led by Amtrak.
$8 Billion and 16 New Clean Energy Projects Abandoned in First 3 Months of 2025
The $7.9 billion in investments withdrawn since January are more than three times the total investments cancelled over the previous 30 months.
Project cancellations are occurring amid escalating market uncertainty and as Congress begins debate on repealing the tax credits and other incentives.
Wind farms in Louisiana? At least five land-based projects are in development. Here's where.
According to public records, at least five utility-scale wind projects are in development in Louisiana.
Notes:
This is occurring even as Trump is taking aim at the wind energy industry with installations hitting a decade low in the US.
Fossil fuels fall below 50% of US electricity for the first month on record
In March 2025, fossil fuels accounted for less than 50% (49.2%) of electricity generated.
The shift meant that clean sources generated more than half (50.8%) of US electricity for the first month on record.
The record was driven largely by an increase in wind and solar power, which reached a record 24.4% of US electricity in March 2025.
Spain / Portugal
New Madrid-Lisbon high-speed train to cut journey time from 10 hours to three
A new high-speed train route linking Madrid and Lisbon aims to be operational by 2030.
The new route, which will cut the journey time from over 10 hours to just three, has received official sign-off from the European Commission.
EU backs €400 million H2 scheme in Spain
The scheme will support up to 345 MW of electrolyzer capacity and enable the production of as much as 221,000 tons of renewable hydrogen in Spain.
Indonesia
South Korea's LG Energy Solution pulls out from Indonesia EV battery investment
LG Energy Solution has withdrawn from a 142 trillion rupiah ($8.45 billion) project to develop electric vehicle battery making in Indonesia.
They cited various factors including market conditions and investment environment as the reason for the withdrawal.
Indonesia will continue to seek foreign investors to partner with local companies to develop the battery industry, leveraging the country's rich nickel reserves.
Cambodia
China and Cambodia’s $1.2 billion canal project raises environmental concerns
Cambodia and China have signed a $1.2 billion deal to finance a 151.6-kilometer (94-mile) canal project.
It aims to boost trade efficiency by linking a branch of the Mekong River near Phnom Penh to a port on the Gulf of Thailand.
Big Tech
Data Centres: AWS Goes on Pause
According to an equity research note from Wells Fargo, AWS has hit pause on parts of its US colocation-leasing pipeline for data centers.
AtmosClear is developing a carbon capture facility at the Port of Greater Baton Rouge in Louisiana.
Construction is planned to start in 2026 and commercial operations in 2029. Fidelis estimates that the project will result in over $800 million of investment.
They have signed a contract with Microsoft for 6.75 million metric tons of engineered carbon removal from bioenergy carbon capture & storage ("BECCS").
This is the world’s largest contract for permanent carbon removals to date.
Google signs 10MW geothermal PPA with Baseload Capital in Taiwan
Google has signed its first corporate Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for a geothermal project in the APAC region.
The long-term PPA is aimed at catalyzing the geothermal market in the region.
Due to Taiwan’s location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, the country has a significant geothermal potential.
Investment funds
Kompas VC, a Danish VC, closed a €150m fund. They invest in the manufacturing industry and the built environment startups in the US, Europe and Israel across three main focus areas of decarbonisation, productivity and resilience. More here.
News
Caterpillar pledges $100M to upskill workforce in AI era
Workers on average can expect two-fifths of their existing skills to be transformed or outdated by 2030.
The investment by the construction and mining equipment manufacturer is to train up its workforce with robotics, automation and AI technologies.
Q1 2025 AEC-Tech report (Foundamental)
AEC seed rounds are now six times larger than they were a decade ago.
Regionally, Asia–Pacific continues to lead in relative allocation with 1.3% of all VC in the region went into AEC-Tech.
Prologis Says Trade War Will Boost Demand for U.S. Warehouse Space
China, Russia may build nuclear plant on moon to power lunar station, official says
Demand for electrical engineers is surging
Over 70% of employers in the energy sector report struggling to find all the skilled labor they need.
Electrical and power engineers are in particularly high demand.
Developers delay billions in projects amid mounting uncertainty
If I missed anything this week, please reply and let me know! I’ll make sure to include it next week.