Forging the Future at The 2025 Construction Startup Competition
The construction industry is undergoing a seismic shift, and at the epicentre of this transformation lies the Construction Startup Competition 2025.
Now in its ninth year, the world’s premier startup challenge has officially opened its doors, inviting visionary entrepreneurs to shake up the sector with disruptive ideas. From May 6 to June 22, startups across the globe can apply for a chance to redefine how the world builds.
Backed by an impressive coalition of industry giants — Cemex Ventures, Caterpillar, Dysruptek by Haskell, Ferrovial, Hilti, Leonard (VINCI Group), NOVA by Saint-Gobain, Trimble, and Zacua Ventures — the competition isn’t just a contest. It’s a launchpad for change.
“Construction Startup Competition is where startups go global, connect with industry leaders, and unlock new opportunities” Gonzalo Galindo, Head of Cemex Ventures, summed it up perfectly.
Four Strategic Pillars Driving Innovation
This year’s edition zeroes in on four critical areas transforming construction:
- Green Construction – Promoting sustainable practices and net-zero initiatives
- Enhanced Productivity – Streamlining processes and boosting efficiency
- Construction Supply Chain – Ensuring delivery on time, every time
- Future of Construction – Embracing disruption with new business models
These themes aren’t just buzzwords. They reflect real-world challenges and opportunities that demand fresh thinking and scalable solutions.
From Pitch to Partnership
What sets this competition apart is its powerful ecosystem. Finalists will gain access to a network of global decision-makers, potential customers, and strategic investors. The road culminates at Pitch Day, hosted during the Trimble Dimensions User Conference in Las Vegas (November 10-12, 2025). Here, selected startups will pitch live for the chance to win cash prizes and, more importantly, spark lasting collaborations.
Past success stories speak volumes. Since its inception in 2017, the competition has spotlighted 44 standout startups that reached Pitch Day. Collectively, they’ve gone on to raise a whopping US$448 million in funding. Not a bad return for those taking the plunge.
The Visionaries Behind the Movement
Launched in 2017, Cemex Ventures has become a powerful force for innovation. Its mission? To solve the most pressing issues in construction and push the sector into a smarter, greener future. By creating an open collaborative platform, Cemex Ventures empowers entrepreneurs, researchers, and corporates alike to co-create real impact.
“With over 3,000 startups in our network, many of which have scaled to become key players within the sector, this competition catalyzes the next wave of construction innovation”: added Galindo.
Fueling the Transformation
Behind every great competition stands an even greater support system. Let’s take a closer look at the powerhouses propelling the 2025 edition:
- Caterpillar – With 2024 revenues hitting US$64.8 billion, Caterpillar is more than just a machinery titan. It’s a cornerstone of global infrastructure. From off-highway diesel engines to mining equipment, Caterpillar continues to innovate with an eye on sustainability and resilience.
- Dysruptek by Haskell – Dysruptek lives up to its name. Created in 2018, it serves as Haskell’s innovation engine, investing in AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) technologies that challenge the status quo. Their motto? “Invest. Invent. Innovate.” Enough said.
- Ferrovial – Operating in over 15 countries, Ferrovial brings vast experience in sustainable infrastructure. As a publicly traded firm listed on Euronext Amsterdam, Nasdaq, and Spain’s IBEX 35, Ferrovial’s commitment to ESG goals and the UN Global Compact speaks volumes.
- The Hilti Group – Hilti needs little introduction. With more than 34,000 employees in 120 countries, it delivers cutting-edge construction technologies and services. The company invests around 7 percent of its annual revenue into R&D — a serious show of commitment to innovation.
- Leonard by VINCI Group – Leonard is VINCI’s foresight and innovation hub. Set up to envision the future of construction, Leonard backs over 40 ambitious projects annually. With outposts in Paris and operations expanding across Europe and Latin America, Leonard is a breeding ground for the builders of tomorrow.
- NOVA by Saint-Gobain – Saint-Gobain’s NOVA is all about partnerships. By connecting startups with one of the world’s oldest and most respected building materials giants, NOVA helps startups scale sustainably. Active across Asia, Europe, and the Americas, their reach is truly global.
- Trimble – Trimble is the digital thread that stitches physical construction with smart technology. Known for its innovations in modelling, geospatial tools and construction data analytics, Trimble is pushing boundaries where digital meets dirt.
- Zacua Ventures – Zacua Ventures rounds out the powerhouse team with a sharp focus on sustainability, productivity, and urbanisation. Their early-stage investments aim to future-proof the built environment. With a network spanning North America, Europe, and Asia, Zacua opens doors to scale and synergy.
Why This Competition Matters
For early-stage construction startups, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Gaining visibility in such a fragmented and traditional industry is tough. That’s what makes the Construction Startup Competition such a golden ticket. It not only validates your idea but opens doors to partnerships that can accelerate growth in a big way.
Plus, the exposure at Pitch Day is second to none. Being in front of industry veterans, global investors, and tech evangelists is an opportunity few can afford to miss.
Building New Rules
This year’s campaign comes with a rallying cry: “Building the New Construction Rules.” It’s more than a slogan. It’s a manifesto for modernisation. In an industry traditionally slow to change, this competition fuels an ecosystem that’s agile, adaptive, and future-facing.
As the world grapples with climate urgency, supply chain disruptions, labour shortages and outdated systems, it’s clear that innovation isn’t just nice to have — it’s essential.
So whether you’re building AI-driven scheduling tools, zero-carbon cement, modular supply chains or robotic construction systems, now’s the time to step up.
Apply today at: cemexventures.com/constructionstartupcompetition
Full Speed Ahead for Contech and Cleantech
From sustainability to digitisation, startups have the tools and talent to address the industry’s growing pains. And with the Construction Startup Competition 2025 offering a direct path to pilot opportunities, capital access, and global reach, the future is wide open.
With last year’s event drawing participants from over 80 countries, this year’s edition is poised to be even more inclusive, ambitious, and impactful.
