Leaders of eight construction technology companies announced launch on Dec. 11 of Built by Builders, a support group for the growing tech sector that also aims to boost user confidence in adoption of next-generation tools and processes developed by experts with previous industry project management experience to drive innovation and efficiency.
"Our goal is to create a platform where industry innovators can support each other, collaborate on groundbreaking ideas, and elevate the construction sector, as a whole," says Steve Dell’Orto, founder and CEO of ConCntric, a preconstruction management and collaboration platform and a founding group member. He adds that Built by Builders seeks construction industry technology development based on "real-world experience and a deep understanding of what builders truly need.” Dell’Orto is a 26-year construction industry veteran and former regional executive officer of Clark Construction.
Other group founding members are founders and CEOs of Document Crunch, a contract and document compliance platform; Clearstory, a change order management platform; Togal.AI, an artificial intelligence-based estimation platform; ProjectMark, a construction customer relationship management platform; SALUS, a safety management software; Kaster, a trade subcontractor management platform; and PLOT, a worksite procurement and delivery tool.
Dell'Orto said the group expects to add more construction tech firm leaders as members in coming months.
Membership will primarily be invitation-based "to ensure alignment with the group’s core mission and values." he said. "However, companies that meet specific criteria—such as being founded or led by individuals with substantial construction industry experience," can contact the group,
"Diversity is an essential value of the Built by Builders network," he said. "We have exciting plans for 2025, including prioritizing representation by collaborating with diverse industry leaders to ensure a wide range of perspectives and solutions."
Dell'Orto added: "Our mission is to improve the AEC industry and outcomes for the built world."
While he termed the group label a "symbol of trust and authenticity, signifying that the solutions were created by industry professionals with deep experience," Dell'Orto said "it does not constitute a formal certification or guarantee of competence, nor does it serve as a performance warranty. The association is only meant to reflect the collective expertise and collaborative spirit of the group rather than imply legal or technical assurances."
The group formation "stems from a lot of the conversations I was having with our customers, and the realization that my background as a construction industry executive and really having hands-on experience at a deep level ... gave [our customers] comfort that somebody has walked in their shoes, and maybe even mastered the issues that they're dealing with," he said. "Building that experience into a tool they can use made a big difference. This is really about elevating the industry."
The “Built by Builders” label is a symbol of trust and authenticity, signifying that the solutions were created by industry professionals with deep experience. However, it doesnot constitute a formal certification or guarantee of competence, nor does it serve as aperformance warranty. The association is only meant to reflect the collective expertise andcollaborative spirit of the group rather than imply legal or technical assurances
The group is planning to launch a dedicated website, as well as the first in a series of webinars already announced on ConCntric's website.
