Leap into the Future with Cemex Ventures Leaplab Startup Accelerator
The construction industry is undergoing a seismic shift. As sustainability, digitalisation, and productivity continue to dominate the conversation, industry leaders are turning to startups for fresh ideas and fast-track innovation.
Cemex Ventures, the open innovation and venture capital arm of global building materials giant Cemex, is at the heart of this transformation. With the launch of the third edition of its high-impact startup acceleration programme, Leaplab, Cemex Ventures is raising the bar once again.
This year’s Leaplab 2025 cohort is a global ensemble of six standout startups from four different countries, each offering trailblazing solutions to pressing industry challenges. From decarbonisation to circular economy technologies, these startups are bringing more than ideas—they’re bringing tested innovations that promise to reshape the future of construction.
Why Leaplab Matters
Leaplab isn’t just another startup incubator—it’s a deep-dive, real-world testbed for scalable innovation. Over 16 weeks, the selected startups are embedded within Cemex’s global operations, giving them a rare chance to validate their tech at scale and receive targeted support from over 80 seasoned mentors, experts, and business advisors.
Karla Arrambide, Cemex Ventures Leaplab Manager, summed it up best: “The construction industry is at a turning point where technological innovation plays a crucial role, and at Cemex, we are determined to face this by betting on the talent of these startups. Leaplab is a programme that drives the sector’s transformation by connecting high-potential startups with Cemex’s experience and resources.”
That connection is powerful. Participants work directly with Cemex pilot teams, applying their tech to real-world scenarios across all business lines. The culmination? A Demo Day where startups showcase their results, share key learnings with Cemex’s Executive Committee, and pitch their solutions for potential commercial deals and investment.
A Global Line-up of Trailblazing Talent
Without further ado, here are the standout startups selected for Leaplab 2025:
- EarthTrack (Singapore) – A leader in AI-powered geospatial monitoring, EarthTrack delivers real-time insights on land use, environmental changes, and site progress through satellite analytics.
- Emidat (Germany) – This startup simplifies the creation of environmental product declarations (EPDs), giving manufacturers and developers easy tools for lifecycle assessments and carbon reporting.
- FuelHub (USA) – Revolutionising onsite fuel management, FuelHub uses IoT and data analytics to track fuel usage, prevent theft, and optimise consumption for heavy machinery.
- Guidewheel (USA) – Focused on real-time factory operations, Guidewheel empowers production teams with plug-and-play visibility tools that boost efficiency and reduce downtime.
- Optocycle (Germany) – A champion of the circular economy, Optocycle transforms post-consumer plastic waste into high-quality additives for concrete production.
- Sodex (Austria) – This digital twin solution enhances safety, compliance, and operational performance in large construction sites through real-time monitoring and predictive analytics.
From Pilots to Partnerships
Here’s where things get exciting. Participation in Leaplab opens doors far beyond mentorship. For those who deliver the goods—solid results, scalable technology, and aligned values—Cemex Ventures offers real commercial pathways. Graduating startups have the potential to enter into long-term collaborations and contracts with Cemex business units worldwide.
In many cases, the relationship doesn’t stop there. Cemex Ventures also keeps its eyes peeled for strategic investment opportunities, supporting the most promising ventures with the capital they need to grow and expand their reach. It’s a win-win: the startups gain access to global markets and scale, while Cemex reaps the benefits of cutting-edge innovation tailored to its operations.
Building on a Legacy of Innovation
Launched in 2017, Cemex Ventures has quickly become one of the most active corporate venture capital initiatives in the construction sector. Its mission? To tackle the industry’s biggest pain points, carbon emissions, waste, inefficiency, and fragmentation—by investing in bold ideas and building an ecosystem that fosters collaboration.
Through Leaplab and its other initiatives, Cemex Ventures brings together startups, entrepreneurs, academics, and industry leaders under one umbrella, creating a dynamic network focused on reimagining construction for the better. Their collaborative platform encourages not just innovation, but transformation.
Walking the Talk on Sustainability
Behind Leaplab is Cemex itself—a multinational cement and construction materials company that’s putting sustainability at the core of its business model. With operations across the globe, Cemex is spearheading efforts to reduce carbon emissions and embrace the circular economy by turning waste into valuable resources.
Their pledge to achieve carbon neutrality is backed by a relentless commitment to innovation. Through digital tools, data platforms, and partnerships like Leaplab, Cemex is not only staying ahead of the curve—it’s helping draw the curve.
Cemex’s product portfolio—spanning cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates, and urban solutions, is increasingly powered by green technology. The company continues to invest heavily in R&D, aiming to make sustainable construction the industry standard rather than the exception.
Innovation That Builds Bridges
Leaplab 2025 is more than just a programme. It’s a signal—a clear message that the future of construction lies in agility, collaboration, and technological evolution. By bridging the gap between nimble startups and a global powerhouse like Cemex, Leaplab offers a rare fusion of vision, velocity, and validation.
As the selected startups gear up for 16 weeks of testing, learning, and scaling, the industry watches with anticipation. These innovators are not only solving immediate problems, they’re laying the foundation for a smarter, more sustainable construction landscape.
To keep up with the Leaplab journey or explore partnership opportunities, visit Cemex Ventures.
