O technological advancement and the need for constant innovation have remodeled several sectors of the world economy and the construction market has also benefited from this movement.
In this context, the constructtechs, a type of startup that applies technology to solve old and new challenges in the construction sector, from planning to post-construction projects.
These companies bring innovative solutions that promise increase efficiency, reduce costs and positively impact the environment. The emergence and expansion of construtechs in the Brazilian market are recent phenomena, but they already demonstrate significant impacts.
According to data from Construtechs and Proptechs Map of 2023, already are more than a thousand active startups focused on the construction sector and real estate market in Brazil – a number three times higher than that recorded in 2018, the first edition of the map. Among the states with the highest active participation of construtechs are São Paulo (44,8%), Santa Catarina (12%) and Paraná (9,5%).
According to a Sebrae research, only in 2023, in Santa Catarina, the number of startups grew 49,65%. Currently, the Santa Catarina Technology Association (ACATE) has 1.500 associated companies and, only in its program focused on construction, Vertical Construtech, is made up of more than 60 companies. These businesses operate in the development and commercialization of solutions technologies for Civil Construction and real estate.
This scenario reflects not only a change in the way of building and managing projects, but also in the way the market views innovation. Construtechs are remodeling the Civil Construction ecosystem in Brazil, making this a decisive moment to bring construction companies and developers up to date with the most advanced technologies.
How are construtechs transforming the Civil Construction sector?
In addition to technological innovations, construtechs also bring to the market new perspectives and working methods. This is because this transformation ranges from the conception of a project to its delivery and maintenance, introducing efficiency, sustainability process and a new level of quality.
Across digital and innovative solutions, these startups redefine industry paradigms, making processes more agile, transparent and accessible.
Productivity and digitalization in the market
Digitization driven by construtechs has proven to be a key element for increasing productivity in the construction sector. From the development of software that optimizes the planning and execution of works to advanced post-construction management systems, technology is at the center of solutions which aim to make the sector more efficient and less susceptible to errors and waste.
In this sense, construtechs offer tools that facilitate communication and collaboration between the various stakeholders of a project, including engineers, architects, builders and clients, ensuring that everyone is aligned and can make well-informed decisions in real time.
The implementation of technologies also allows for a better resource management, risk prediction e predictive maintenance, which can mean a considerable reduction in costs and project time.
Investments in the sector
Between January 2022 and November 2023, a survey by Liga Ventures in partnership with Secovi-SP revealed that the investments in the construtech sector reached the mark of R$ 748 million. This demonstrates investors' confidence in the ability of startups to innovate and optimize construction, from the project design phase to the delivery of works.
The injection of capital into these companies is also a clear indication that the market recognizes the need for digital transformation and operational efficiency. With financial resources, construtechs develop advanced technological solutions, expand their operations and, most importantly, test and implement its innovations on a real scale, benefiting the entire production chain.
Trends in the construtech ecosystem in the Brazilian market
As the construction leans more and more towards the innovation and technology, the construtech ecosystem in Brazil also continues on an upward trajectory, marked by several emerging trends that promise to transform the market.
Check out some examples.
Sustainability and green construction
With the increase in climate change awareness and the need to reduce environmental impact, construtechs are developing solutions that promote energy efficiency, which use of sustainable materials and waste minimization of construction. Software that optimizes the use of resources and technologies that allow the recycling of materials on the construction site are some examples.
Digitization and BIM (Building Information Modeling)
Digitization continues to be a strong trend in the sector, with the adoption of BIM (Building Information Modeling) standing out as a key advancement. BIM allows creating accurate digital representations of buildings, facilitating collaboration between everyone involved in design and construction.
Augmented and virtual reality
Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are becoming indispensable tools in the arsenal of construtechs. These technologies offer immersion and interactivity in project visualization, allowing clients and stakeholders to experience spaces even before they are built.
Furthermore, AR can be used to superimpose digital information on the real environment, helping with construction precision and problem solving on the construction site.
Automation and robotics
Automation and robotics represent a significant leap forward in increasing efficiency and reduced need for labor intensive. Drones for land mapping, tools and software for construction management are just a few examples of how construtechs are incorporating these technologies.
These innovations not only improve workflow, but also increase the speed and quality of construction.
Artificial Intelligence and Big Data
The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data is transforming decision making in the construction sector. Construtechs use these technologies to analyze large volumes of data, optimizing from the design to operation of buildings. AI can predict delays, identify potential risks, and offer insights for continuous improvement of construction processes.
Innovation in Civil Construction gaining strength
Civil construction is experiencing technological evolution with the introduction of solutions that are profoundly transforming the sector. Advanced tools and platforms are strengthening the impact of these innovations on the market, optimizing each stage of the work and raising operational efficiency to new levels.
However, these tools must act in a unified manner, connecting the entire chain and all construction stages of construction. And that's exactly what the construction industry technological ecosystem does.
The solutions below bring a big difference in relation to construtechs that still operate in an “isolated” manner:
These solutions highlight the strength of innovation in construction, where the adoption of technology becomes a competitive differentiator and leads the sector to a more efficient and sustainable future. Many construction companies are already realizing this in practice through return on investment in technology, with gains such as reduced costs and deadlines, greater productivity, data insight for assertive decision making. As a result, a culture of innovation is developing in construction and the supply of technology only tends to grow more and more.
