Sources: Cemex Ventures, Monterrey, Mexico; CP staff
The corporate venture capital and innovation unit of Cemex S.A.B de C.V. invites participants in the sixth Construction Startup Competition—the biggest such program for the global construction industry. Open to businesses in their early stages up to their commercialization phase, the Cemex Ventures competition suits entrepreneurs who wish to knock on the doors of potential business partners. Participants can apply in Green Construction, Enhanced Productivity, Construction Supply Chain or Construction Future is Now categories.
The 2022 Construction Startup reunites Cemex Ventures and previous partners Dysruptek by Haskell, Ferrovial, GS Futures, Hilti, Vinci Group’s Leonard, and Nova by Saint-Gobain. Joining them this year are Black & Veatch, a global engineering, construction, and consulting firm; Procore Technologies, leading cloud-based construction software provider; and, Zacua Ventures, a construction sector-focused fund.
“Participants can expect to engage with any of the host companies even before the competition comes to an end, going as far as receiving investment or setting up agreements in the months following their application,” says Cemex Ventures Head Gonzalo Galindo. “This competition has served as a shortcut for many startups to connect with top industry investors and begin their successful collaborations, and this year’s lineup guarantees it will be no exception.”
The 10 Construction Startup hosts will evaluate applications before choosing the finalists in a November Pitchday event. Entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to showcase their solutions for competition jurors, as well as leading companies and investors from the construction and technology industry. The competition has seen 2,000-plus startups from more than 80 countries participate since its first edition in 2017.