The deals spanned firms based around the globe and reflect a growing modernisation of tools aimed at improving productivity, reducing labour dependence, and digitising processes for the built environment.

1) AIM Intelligent Machines 鈥� $50 million funding round

Caterpillar equipment equipped with AIM Intelligent Machines systems in mining applications. (Image: AIM Intelligent Machines)

US-based AIM retrofits heavy construction equipment (including bulldozers, excavators, and loaders) with AI-powered systems that enable fully autonomous operation, removing the need for onboard drivers.

The company is scaling operations with a new facility in Washington state and started work with the US Army Corps of Engineers on seawall construction.

The company鈥檚 retrofit kits can be installed in under 24 hours and are compatible with a wide range of machines, regardless of make, model or age. Using sensors similar to those found in self-driving vehicles, the system generates real-time 3D maps of the environment and executes high-level tasks remotely, such as grading or trenching, under the supervision of a single off-site operator.

AIM says its platform enables 24/7 operation in hazardous or labour-scarce environments and has already been deployed commercially in mining and data centre sitework.

鈥淲e鈥檙e changing what鈥檚 possible in earthmoving,鈥� AIM CEO Adam Sadilek says. 鈥淭hese are still among the most dangerous jobs in the world, and efficient automation is how we both protect people and keep up with demand.鈥�

AIM claims its technology can generate up to $1 million in added value per machine annually.

2) Buildots 鈥� $45 million Series D

A worker uses Buildots鈥� platform on a laptop. (Image: Buildots)

Israel-based Buildots software platform uses AI and computer vision to analyse images captured by 360掳 cameras worn onsite, enabling real-time tracking of construction progress against design models and schedules.

In addition to tracking site progress, Buildots enables users to forecast delays, verify contractor billing, and improve coordination across teams.

The latest round will help expand North American operations and grow its R&D team. CEO Roy Danon said the company is seeing a shift from project-based pilots to multi-year enterprise deals.

The $45 million Series D brings Buildots鈥� total funding to $166 million. The platform is now used by contractors on projects in more than one dozen countries. 

鈥淲e鈥檙e already seeing a shift from project-by-project tech adoption to long-term enterprise agreements,鈥� says CEO Roy Danon. 鈥淎s firms move from reactive to proactive management, the industry stands to unlock billions in cost savings and operational gains.鈥�

3) Auar 鈥� 拢5.1 million ($6.9 million) seed

ABB鈥檚 robotic arm during an Auar assembly. (Image: ABB)

UK-based Auar (also known as Automated Architecture) develops container-sized 鈥榤icro-factories鈥� equipped with robotics, artificial intelligence, and machine vision; designed to prefabricate timber housing components at or near construction sites.

Developed in partnership with Swiss-based OEM ABB, the temporary factories utilise vision-equipped robotic arms to assemble timber structures in as little as 12 hours.

Auar claims the process can reduce labour needs by up to 75% and construction costs by 40%. The firm is now targeting mid-rise timber housing across Europe.

Auar鈥檚 plug-and-play micro-factories are shipped in standard containers, each fully assembled with ABB robotic arms, and can be deployed within a 12-week lead time to run a single continuous manufacturing workflow for walls, floors, and roofs.

The company鈥檚 web site promotes, 鈥渇ull value chain automation, supporting design to delivery of sustainable homes at 30鈥�40% total cost reduction.鈥�

The temporary units follow a hardware鈥慳s鈥慳鈥憇ervice model, enabling builders to sidestep large capital expenses and rapidly scale production without needing specialist equipment or training.

鈥淏y enabling the industry to build together, powered by robotics and AI, we鈥檙e not just offering a new tool 鈥� we鈥檙e unlocking new possibilities for how homebuilders can grow, innovate, and deliver at scale,鈥� notes co-founder and CEO Mollie Claypool.

4) NavLive 鈥� 拢4 million seed ($5.4 million) seed

NavLive鈥檚 scanning devise (Image: NavLive)

A spinout from the University of Oxford, NavLive (UK) produces an AI-powered handheld LiDAR scanner that delivers live 2D/3D building models and integrates directly with BIM workflows.

The company deployed its system across nuclear, defence, and commercial sites; stated customers include Mace, Jacobs and AtkinsRealis. The round includes a 拢700,000 ($948,000) Innovate UK grant.

NavLive鈥檚 scanner runs simultaneous localization and mapping scanning algorithms on an edge computing unit housed within the handheld device, enabling survey-grade accuracy and real-time feedback without needing cloud processing. The platform integrates with major architectural and BIM software, turning scans into editable building models that support decision-making during design, retrofit or maintenance phases .

鈥淲e鈥檙e building the underlying record of truth for spatial data across the entire lifecycle,鈥� explains NavLive CEO Chris Davison.

5) CalcTree 鈥� 鈧�2.3 million ($2.6 million) pre-seed

CalcTree鈥檚 browser platform (Image: CalcTree)

CalcTree (Australia) is developing a collaborative cloud-based software platform for engineering calculations, designed to streamline design workflows and reduce errors during the planning phase of construction projects.

The seed is backed by Foundamental (Germany), a VC focused on construction technology, and Suffolk Technologies (US), the venture arm of contractor Suffolk Construction.

According to co鈥慺ounder Onur Ekinci, 鈥淔oundamental invested in CalcTree because... engineering workflows are being held back by antiquated systems that create inefficiencies and rework.鈥�

The company aims to cut design-phase errors and inefficiencies by turning complex calculations into reusable, version-controlled templates that teams across disciplines can access and update in real time.

CalcTree reports that its platform is already in use across 35 European countries and by engineers at firms such as Arup, Jacobs, Aurecon and WSP. Its founders cite the high cost of manual calculation errors (up to 7% of contract value) as a driver for digitisation

What鈥檚 trending?

Automation, real-time data, and AI-led productivity tools continue to dominate early-stage funding in construction tech.

From automating equipment to improving surveying and calculations, these start-ups point to a shift toward flexible tools that work across projects and teams. With ongoing labour shortages and rising risks, investors are backing tech that speeds up work, cuts errors, and controls costs.

Robotics company partners to develop timber houses AUAR reports that it has completed a 拢2.6 million seed round

Buildots launches tool to eliminate construction workflow bottlenecks Buildots鈥� new feature leverages site-specific AI-driven progress data