{"id":519277,"date":"2025-04-24T12:13:30","date_gmt":"2025-04-24T11:13:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.constructionnews.co.uk\/?p=519277"},"modified":"2025-04-24T12:13:30","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T11:13:30","slug":"ai-startups-backed-to-boost-construction-productivity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.constructionnews.co.uk\/supply-chain\/ai-startups-backed-to-boost-construction-productivity-24-04-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"AI startups backed to boost construction productivity"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

This story was written with AI assistance from Harmsworth
\nWho is Harmsworth?<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Technology innovation body Digital Catapult has selected ten AI startups to tackle inefficiencies in construction through a government-backed accelerator aimed at scaling digital solutions into real-world project delivery.<\/p>\n

The initiative forms part of the BridgeAI programme, a national AI adoption drive led by government agency Innovate UK and delivered in partnership with Digital Catapult, the Alan Turing Institute, the Hartree Centre and the British Standards Institution. It is designed to support digital transformation in sectors with high growth potential but historically low uptake of artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n

Digital Catapult, established in 2013 by government agency Innovate UK to accelerate the adoption of advanced digital technologies, said the construction-focused accelerator would apply AI to persistent sector challenges including fragmented workflows, compliance complexity, and the slow uptake of modern methods of construction (MMC).<\/p>\n

The ten startups (see boxout) will collaborate with architects Foster + Partners, engineers Buro Happold and 3D printing specialist Versarien on live use cases involving design automation, real-time materials analysis and digitally enabled project delivery.<\/p>\n

Dr Stephen Hodge, chief executive at Versarien, said the accelerator would help \u201cunlock meaningful efficiencies in 3D construction printing\u201d through better integration of material performance and digital fabrication data.<\/p>\n

The BridgeAI programme has engaged more than 2,500 organisations across sectors since its launch. Through Digital Catapult\u2019s accelerator, participating firms will receive innovation support, technical guidance and direct industry engagement to ready their tools for deployment at scale.<\/p>\n

A showcase of the selected startups\u2019 work is scheduled for later this year.<\/p>\n

\n

AI start-ups participating in Digital Catapult<\/strong><\/p>\n