20 Construction Companies & Startups with Big Potential
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Construction is big business, and it’s on track to becoming even bigger in the coming years. According to Statista, construction for 2028 in the US is projected to reach a value of $2.3 trillion.
In the startup world, companies are emerging to make the lives of AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) professionals easier by improving job site safety, streamlining project communication, opening up job access, and more.
We’ve rounded up 20 construction startups that you need to know about, each with unique missions and impressive search growth numbers.
1. UpCodes
5-year search growth: 193%
Search growth status: Exploding
Year founded: 2016
Location: San Francisco, California
Funding: $7.6M (Series A)
What they do: UpCodes is a construction and building code computing startup. Specifically, they provide software that helps the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry develop code-compliant buildings. In addition to a searchable database containing building code information, the company also provides a tool they call UpCodes AI.
This tool scans 3D models developed with building information modeling (BIM) data and notifies the architects about potential code violations. UpCodes has over 500,000 active monthly users. The startup has raised $7.6M in funding.
2. Branch Technology
5-year search growth: 93%
Search growth status: Exploding
Year founded: 2014
Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee
Funding: $19.8M (Series B)
What they do: Branch Technology is a Tennessee-based construction startup that specializes in 3D printing of large structures using cellular fabrication techniques. Their technology can create custom-designed parts of various shapes and sizes, allowing for greater freedom of design and reduced waste compared to traditional construction methods.
They have developed projects in industries ranging from architecture to aerospace, using their platform to create sustainable and efficient buildings.
3. ProperGate
5-year search growth: 36%
Search growth status: Regular
Year founded: 2018
Location: Warsaw, Poland
Funding: $1.6M (Seed)
What they do: ProperGate helps companies improve onsite construction logistics through a management platform that streamlines communication and notification for building material deliveries. The startup was included in a BESIX Group accelerator and received recognition at the PropTech Festival, EUTop50, and more.
4. Plannerly
5-year search growth: 5,900%
Search growth status: Regular
Year founded: 2017
Location: Irvine, California
Funding: Undisclosed
What they do: Plannerly offers software for BIM management that helps AEC industry professionals manage projects and improve communication. Features of their solution include simplified contracting with e-signature, BIM scheduling tools, an easier way to outline project scope based on industry best practices, and more.
5. Roofr
5-year search growth: 3,233%
Search growth status: Exploding
Year founded: 2015
Location: San Francisco, California
Funding: $43.8M (Series A)
What they do: Roofr is a software platform built for roofing contractors to streamline and manage business operations in one place. Key Roofr features include the Instant Estimator, CRM, Proposal Generator, and Roof Measurement Reports. According to CEO Richard Nelson, Roofr has measured over 1.5 million roofs.
6. Projul
5-year search growth: 7,400%
Search growth status: Regular
Year founded: 2017
Location: St. George, Utah
Funding: Undisclosed
What they do: Projul is a construction management software that aims to simplify project management, client interactions, and document handling in one centralized platform. The startup is highly rated by customers, with 4.9 out of 5 stars on G2.
7. Buildcon
5-year search growth: 28%
Search growth status: Peaked
Year founded: 2015
Location: Belgrade, Serbia
Funding: $125K (Seed)
What they do: Buildcon offers a mobile app and website platform to handle construction management. Highlights of their platform include real-time data for work tracking, tailor-made accounts for particular business needs, daily project summaries, and more.
8. SiteDocs
5-year search growth: 252%
Search growth status: Exploding
Year founded: 2012
Location: Abbotsford, Canada
Funding: Undisclosed
What they do: SiteDocs is a cloud-based safety management software primarily used by construction, manufacturing, and drilling companies. The platform offers real-time documentation monitoring, smart employee certification tracking, paperless operations, advanced analytics, and over 1,350+ software integrations. SiteDocs was given the Top EHS Management Software Award from Capterra in 2023.
9. Capmo
5-year search growth: 70%
Search growth status: Regular
Year founded: 2018
Location: Munich, Germany
Funding: $36M (Series B)
What they do: Capmo is a construction project management platform that provides contractors with real-time project tracking and collaboration tools. The platform streamlines the construction process from start to finish, making it easier for contractors to manage their projects and ensure successful completion. Capmo helps contractors increase efficiency and reduce the risk of manual errors by providing a centralized platform for project management, communication, and collaboration.
10. EquipmentShare
5-year search growth: 519%
Search growth status: Regular
Year founded: 2014
Location: Columbia, Missouri
Funding: $3.5B (Debt Financing)
What they do: EquipmentShare is a cloud-based digital tech and equipment marketplace for the construction industry. The startup offers equipment rental and sales, and with each piece of equipment, customers get access to their advanced T3 technology. This operating system integrates construction workflows to enhance onsite efficiency and streamline operations.
CEO William Schlacks shared that the company had around $2 billion in annual revenue in 2022. Today, it has 185 locations across the United States.
11. Ekotrope
5-year search growth: 8,100%
Search growth status: Peaked
Year founded: 2010
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Funding: $4M (Series Unknown)
What they do: Ekotrope provides industry-recognized Home Energy Rating System (HERS) software, in addition to providing other construction-related services. Their HERS software, RATER, is used in one of every six new U.S.-built homes and contributes to 280,000 metric tons in annual CO2 savings. Financial backers of Ekotrope include angel investors Tom Rutledge, Tibor Toth, and Eric Silverman.
12. Ergeon
5-year search growth: 240%
Search growth status: Exploding
Year founded: 2018
Location: Palo Alto, California
Funding: $40M (Series B)
What they do: Ergeon is a construction startup that offers on-demand, high-quality home improvement and renovation services. The company uses technology to streamline the construction process and provide customers with accurate estimates and project timelines. Ergeon also offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee, ensuring that all work is completed to the customer's satisfaction.
13. Sitemate
5-year search growth: 8,025%
Search growth status: Regular
Year founded: 2015
Location: Sydney, Australia
Funding: $11.4M (Seed)
What they do: Sitemate is a no-code platform that allows construction and infrastructure companies to digitize their processes quickly and affordably. Notable features within the platform include electronic scanning, electronic signatures, Kanban workflows, and advanced process management logic.
14. Tobly
5-year search growth: 3,300%
Search growth status: Peaked
Year founded: 2016
Location: New York, New York
Funding: $497K (Convertible Note)
What they do: Tobly helps facility managers rent necessary equipment, including forklifts, boom lifts, and scissor lifts. They operate in several cities, including New York City, San Francisco, Miami, Orlando, Chicago, and others, and their customer base includes well-known companies such as Apple, REI Co-op, and more.
15. Safesite
5-year search growth: -25%
Search growth status: Regular
Year founded: 2012
Location: San Francisco, California
Funding: $58.1M (Series B)
What they do: Safesite offers safety management software and a mobile app that helps higher-risk companies improve the way they handle safety and compliance, from incident reporting to digital safety inspections and beyond. Safesite received a number of commendations in 2020, including Software Advice’s “Most Recommended” and Capterra’s “Best Ease of Use.”
16. Arcoro
5-year search growth: 840%
Search growth status: Exploding
Year founded: 2018
Location: Los Angeles, California
Funding: Undisclosed
What they do: An HR software startup, Arcoro has created a suite of tools for the construction industry to manage their HR processes in one place. Customers can access various features, including applicant tracking, succession planning, onboarding, payroll, compliance, and more. Currently, the company supports more than 7,500 total customers.
17. Knowify
5-year search growth: 33%
Search growth status: Regular
Year founded: 2016
Location: New York, New York
Funding: $12.1M (Series A)
What they do: Knowify is a construction management SaaS platform that helps contractors manage their businesses with job costing features, bid/contract creation and management, scheduling functionality, and more. In February 2021, Knowify partnered with prominent eastern electrical supplier United Electric Supply to expand options specifically for United Electric Supply customers.
In November 2021, Knowify raised $5.45 million in their most recent funding round A.
18. Cove.Tool
5-year search growth: 47%
Search growth status: Regular
Year founded: 2017
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Funding: $36.8M (Series B)
What they do: Cove.Tool is an AI-powered construction software that helps architects and engineers optimize building designs to save time, money, and energy. The platform uses machine learning algorithms to analyze and identify the most cost-effective and sustainable building materials and energy systems for a given project, helping construction teams make better decisions and reduce their carbon footprint.
19. SafeAI
5-year search growth: 1,900%
Search growth status: Exploding
Year founded: 2017
Location: Santa Clara, California
Funding: $64M (Series B)
What they do: SafeAI is building autonomous solutions for the mining and construction industries. The company primarily retrofits existing heavy construction vehicles with upgraded tech to operate autonomously. The startup has also developed a cloud OS for construction site planning, mapping, vehicle monitoring, fleet dispatching, and more.
20. KEWAZO
5-year search growth: 200%
Search growth status: Peaked
Year founded: 2018
Location: Bayern, Germany
Funding: $19.1M (Series A)
What they do: KEWAZO supplies the construction industry with robotic hoists, or elevators, with the main application being scaffolding assembly. Their product, LIFTBOT, cuts labor costs by 44%, increases safety, and is easy and quick to install. In early 2023, the German company raised $10M in a Series A funding round.
Conclusion
By and large, these 20 startups are using technology to transform the way that construction professionals work.
From BIM management platforms like Plannerly to job marketplaces like Faber Connect to other construction management platforms, these companies aim to rework manual processes and eliminate sources of inefficiency.
With their distinctive approaches to solving common problems, the 20 startups listed here are worth keeping an eye on in 2024 and beyond.
