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The construction tech scene in Norway is thriving

The construction industry is known for being a laggard when it comes to digitalization, the industry is now picking up the pace.

Several factors are driving this change of pace ranging from evolving client expectations, where factors like energy efficiency, IoT, and connected objects are going from nice-to-have to must-have.

Advancements in technology play a significant role in both explaining why the construction industry has been a digital laggard, but also why now is the time for digitalization at scale. Looking at digital frontrunners, their similarities are often b2c industries where self-service and pure digital delivery models have played a significant role in their digital agendas.

For the construction industry, the ability to connect the physical world to the digital has long been a barrier to widescale digitalization. With technologies available on the market allowing both data capture through sensors, drones, telemetry, and more as well as methods and solutions to drive real-time actionable insights and automation.

A new generation of workers is also driving the adoption of digital tools on the sites. At the same time, user expectations are shifting towards simplicity and ease of use. A productivity tool on your smartphone is no longer compared with the ERP system used back at HQ, it is compared to every other app installed on that phone. Without a state-of-the-art user experience, widespread adoption is unlikely.

Lastly, just like the innovation agenda in the financial services industry was lit ablaze by the rise of fintech, the startup scene is once again shaping the innovation agenda in an incumbent industry. Globally, the construction tech (ConTech) scene is shaping up with several promising companies as well as a growing inflow of capital. The local scene is no exception. Some of these companies include (listed unranked and uncategorized):

Ditio collects data from large complex construction sites to enhance profitability, site insights, and accurate reporting. At the core of the software lies a unique approach to mass hauling, enabling improved efficiency and reduced climate footprint due to optimal route planning for mass hauling. Ditio has raised seed capital from Skanska. Read more at Ditio.

Modulize is a web-based, data-driven software solution that empowers the construction industry to build more sustainably through the adoption of offsite construction at scale. The solution is a procurement platform for constructors and manufacturers that provides automated takeoff, cost estimation, collaborative tendering, and bid generation. Modulize has raised 19 MNOK from TRK Group, Møller Eiendom, Investinor, and Antler among others.  Read more at Modulize.

7Analytics utilize artificial intelligence to calculate and predict the flow of surface water and the risk of flooding based on future weather predictions. The solution allows engineers, contractors, municipalities, and property developers to develop future projects in an efficient and sustainable way. 7Analytics has raised $2.5 million in a seed round of funding led by sustainability-focused VC firm Momentum Partners, with participation from Construct Venture and Obos. Read more at 7Analytics.

VirtualHouse allows the building contractor to test and perform QA on equipment and software from technical subcontractors before they gain access to the building. It provides a safer and more transparent construction process, a building with fewer errors at handover, and more cost-effective operation for the client. Read more at VirtualHouse.

Steer is a Norwegian technology startup that provides advanced autonomous and remote control solutions to any kind of construction equipment. Read more at Steer.

Digiquip promises a complete overview of equipment, personnel, and projects in one platform. Learn more at Digiquip.

Tørn is an online marketplace where building materials and supply retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturer can sell their dead stock and surplus to consumers and craftsmen. Tørn facilitates a seamless purchase experience between sellers and buyers through its platform with inbuilt payment, shipping, and customer support. Read more at Tørn.

Catenda is a collaboration platform centered around the BIM model for visual collaboration in 3D models and auto-generated 2D floor plans. With strong API capabilities at the core of the platform, Catendas Bimsync allows integrations to leading industry BIM tools such as Revit and Solibri. Catenda has has Spring Capital, and Egis as notable investors. Read more at Catenda.

Consigli delivers a platform for data driven engineering, planning and and optimization throughout the entire value chain from design to building operations. Consigli promise to reduce material usage, energy consuption and deliver higher quality in execution. Consigli has raised capital from TRK Group and Møller Eiendom among others. Read more at Consigli.

Cobuilder offers a platform of integrated solutions that address the specific information management needs of construction industry actors by enabling collaboration and seamless data exchange internally and within any third-party software. Read more at Cobuilder.

Imerso promise to be the world’s smartest construction monitoring platform to help clients to save costs, accelerate deliveries, and drive productivity across their projects. Through 3D scanning Imerso allows clients to capture the built environment and create As-built documentation as well as deliver automatic BIM inspection. Imerso has Nemetscheck as a notable investor. Read more at Imerso.

Novorender delivers a solution allowing sharing of advanced 3D models between stakeholders in a construction project regardless of 3D formats and file sizes. Novorender promise to dramatically increase the value of existing 3D models during the development of large projects through increased availability of 3D models. Read more at Novorender.

Findable is a SaaS platform that automates document workflows by utilizing AI and machine learning. It allows building owners, operators, and general contractors to reduce manual work and increase document quality and efficient facility management. Findable has raised 20 MNOK from Construct Venture, Kompas Venture, and Malling&Co. Read more at Findable.

Spacio offers a cloud-based platform for building design and optimization. the solution aims to factor in floor plans, adaptive parking, energy, space allocation, noise, daylight, energy, stormwater, and more. read more at Spacio.

Vrex is a VR technology company. Their product is a collaboration tool, VREX, for BIM and CAD in Virtual Reality. It allows you to work virtually with anyone around the world, integrated with your issue management systems. Vrex reduces costs through better reviews in less time, which means fewer costly mistakes and less travel time. Vrex has Construct Venture and Skagerak Maturo as notable investors. Read more at Vrex.

Fonn is a field management tool for construction projects, with inclusive usability for all tech skill levels. Fonn enables all users in a construction project, with up-to-date information and all communication in one place. Fonn has raised 30 MNOK from Idekapital, Investinor, Skagerak Maturo, Aidiom and Oxer Kapital. Read more at Fonn.

nLink designs and develops mobile robots that solve real-life problems, replacing repetitious work tasks in difficult and dangerous environments. Notable investors are equipment manufacturer Hilti. Read more at nLink.

Shapemaker delivers a platform for civil engineering analysis and design with the goal of being able to reduce carbon footprint and raw material consumption. Starting off with telecom infrastructure, the solution promises flexibility for last-minute changes and standardization of tower families. That means better results, lower costs, and scalability. Shapemaker has raised capital from TRK Group, Firda Seed, and Runway FBU among others. Read more at Shapemaker.

InfoBric offers several solutions such as access control, fleet management, blast management, and work hour tracking for sustainable, compliant, and efficient construction sites. Infobric is wholly owned by Summa Equity. Read more at Infobric.

Infraspace is a cloud-based platform for early-stage infrastructure planning and design. By generating all possible design outcomes through an algorithmic approach, the platform suggests the optimal solution based on a weighted priority of cost, quality, and sustainability factors. Read more at Infraspace

Emerald Geomodelling is a service provider specializing in providing the missing link between complex geophysical and sparse geotechnical data in order to reduce risk in infrastructure projects. By combining project experience with efficient and accurate machine learning routines, the company provides full 3D coverage with quantified precision. Read more at Emerald Geomodelling.

Bygr is a collaboration tool for residential development that aim to streamline communications related to change request, added building options and after-market between end-customers, property developers, main contractors, and sub-contractors. Bygr has raised 40 MNOK in several rounds, and notable investors include Construct Venture and Kistefos. Read more at Bygr.

Birdflocks is a collaboration and networking platform for the AEC industry where stakeholders can share common challenges, joint project opportunities and more. Read more at Birdflocks.

Svenn is a project planning tool for contractors and craftsmen. The solution delivers project management, risk management, data capture, communication, and budgeting with the aim of delivering better profits and increased control. Svenn has raised capital in several rounds from among others Norselab and Alligate. Read more at Svenn.

Loopfront is a digital platform for surveying, documentation, collaboration, logistics, and reporting the reuse of materials. Loopfront raised 55 MNOK last year from among others Proventure and Wiski Capital. Read more at Loopfront.

Material Mapper is a digital platform that facilitates the reuse of building materials. Read more at Material Mapper.

Celsia provides a software solution to calculate the EU Taxonomy score. Step-by-step assessment in line with the EU Taxonomy. Celsia has raised capital from Runway FBU, DNB Ventures, Finstart Nordic, Firda, and Bonheur. Read more at Celsia.

Kvist Solutions delivers a software solution to simplify BREEAM certification throughout the building process. read more at Kvist.

Ei Solutions delivers an analysis engine that generates the sustainability insights the industry needs to comply with the EU-taxonomy’s screening requirements with just a click. This provides an overview of potential red flags instantly for real estate owners in order to target the sustainability issues that really matter in the portfolio. Read more at Ei Solutions.

Reduzer helps developers design and build buildings and infrastructure while keeping environmental impacts organized and helping contractors reduce impacts. All environmental data, goals, and certifications are captured and presented in an easy-to-use collaborative workspace. read more at Reduzer.

Rebartek delivers prefabricated, tailor-made reinforcement cages. By combining parametric structural design and robotics, the company provides a safer construction site, faster installation, less waste, and lower cost. Read more at Rebartek.

dPlan is a project management tool with an emphasis on VDC (Virtual Design and Construction) processes and lean project management. Read more at dPlan.

Sparkel is a collaboration platform centered around BIM for better communication, workflow management, and change order management. Read more at Sparkel.

Perlo automatically collects, standardizes, and manages project information during the building phase across the relevant third-party systems in a single channel to help property developers and contractors master the core business of building. Read more at Perlo.

Tendro delivers software for procurement processes in the construction industry through a communication and delegation platform that integrates the builder, entrepreneur, and subcontractor into the same platform. Read more at Tendro.

Parallello is a platform that utilizes parametric design to generate optimally and all possible floor plans. Read more at Parallello.

Datatrees is a parametric design agency that delivers a building modeling tool for fast building design and a similar product for lighting design. Read more at Datatrees.

Arealize is an online tool to generate floor plans automatically. Read more at Arealize.

Sirken offers surplus materials from building sites through retrofitted shipping containers. Read more at Sirken.

Order Control is an order management and delivery calendar tool that automatically cross-references material prices and tracks service levels to reduce time spent with order management as well as reduce material waste. Read more at Order Control.

Skanska Digital has developed several solutions for both civil and building construction ranging from data capture and reporting for drill and blast tunneling, systematic completion, and sensor-based data capture that is yet to be launched in the market as commercial products. Stay tuned for more.

An honorable mention to Spacemaker, although no longer a Norwegian startup by definition. The 240 MUSD acquisition by Autodesk gave the construction tech segment the locomotive that is needed to spark investor interest and growth.

Other significant players in the space worth mentioning are Norconsult Informasjonssystemer, Holte Prosjekt and SmartDok who has been serving the AEC industry with industry software for some time.

This is my first take on getting the full picture of the Norwegian Contech scene, if you are missing any companies on the list, please let me know in the comments below. Please note that I have limited the scope to exclude companies that are primarily (although they may have some use in the AEC value chain) in the proptech category and/or deliver solutions for building maintenance and operations.

2 thoughts on “The construction tech scene in Norway is thriving

  • Journey Technologies – With the creation of Journey, the purpose is to remove friction in the newbuild industry, and especially the friction between developers and buyers. Journey will provide developers of all sizes with a modern, unified and data-driven experience for managing projects and key stakeholders. Furthermore, it is designed to give their customers a digital end-to-end experience; allowing them to keep track of their future home from the purchase is made until they move in, and beyond.

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