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Our Approach

We are Building Ventures. We chose our name very intentionally – and not just because the url was available. That word: Building. It encapsulates what we care about and what we do. We focus equally on the process of building and the artifacts that are buildings. We work closely with the entrepreneurs we invest in to support them in the building of their companies.

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Our Mission

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DESIGN

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BUILD

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OPERATE

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EXPERIENCE

Digital technologies are reshaping the way we design, build, operate and experience our built environment and will have a profound effect on how we live as humans on our planet. Our objective is to keep a watchful eye over the entire innovation landscape of the built environment but only deploy capital into those with the most promising return characteristics.

Every investment we make lives up to our mission, as it is our sole focus.

Our Mission

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DESIGN

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BUILD

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OPERATE

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EXPERIENCE

Digital technologies are reshaping the way we design, build, operate and experience our built environment and will have a profound effect on how we live as humans on our planet. Our objective is to keep a watchful eye over the entire innovation landscape of the built environment but only deploy capital into those with the most promising return characteristics.

Every investment we make lives up to our mission, as it is our sole focus.

What we seek

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VISIONARY FOUNDERS

Building a startup is enormously difficult. Only those with the passion, tenacity and fortitude to will their company not only into existence but to market supremacy make it through the crucible. These are very special people and they are rare. While it can be easy to be enamored with a cutting edge technology or a really clever sales motion, the simple reality is that we have to believe deeply in the capability of the founders we partner with to build a large scale business that can have the industry impact our world needs.

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SAPLING STAGE

We call ourselves “Sapling Stage” investors. We look to invest in a company when it is still early enough in its formative development that our team’s experience, expertise and network can help it attract the best talent and the optimal early customers to help it grow and reach its potential. We are not bound by the typical conventions of Seed or Series A and deploy our capital when it makes the most sense for us and the company.

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TRANSFORMATIONAL IMPACT

Even the most talented founders and teams are only as successful as the market allows. At Building Ventures, we seek out companies that not only delight their market but also effectuate a radical transformation in how we design, build, operate or experience our world.

We invest in companies determined to solve big and important problems by marrying unique technological solutions with innovative business models, thereby engendering bold advancements and market-scale wins.

How we serve

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MISSION ALIGNMENT

We’re here to help entrepreneurs build: build companies, opportunities and connections. For over twenty years our team has helped build businesses that are transforming the realms of design, construction and real estate. We share your vision of a better world.

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FULL LIFECYCLE SUPPORT

We fund companies throughout their lifecycle, providing access, capital and guidance along the way. When our founders need us, our entire team is available and focused on offering approaches and solutions to assist them from the first critical hires through management of the exit process.

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CONNECTIONS & COMMUNITY

Our portfolio companies gain access to a proprietary network of industry experts committed to championing new ideas for a better built world. Offering everything from mentorship to pilot customers to funding, our network brings unique value to our companies.

Building Ventures represents everything a company looks for when partnering on a business. From knowledge of our industry, to industry connections, to their incredible team that is comprised of years of expertise, we knew that Building Ventures was going to be a valuable investor. They have gone above and beyond your typical advice and strategic counsel and we are incredibly grateful. We can’t speak more highly of Building Ventures.

Deepinder Singh
75F
Founder & CEO

Built Robotics was excited to partner with Building Ventures because of their deep appreciation for the construction industry and a belief in the future we are building. Few investors can offer that blend of strategic vision and domain expertise, and Building Ventures uniquely leverages that in combination with a broad network and a partnership mindset. I have worked with a number of investors in my time, and I feel fortunate that we have the opportunity to work with Jesse and Travis to build the future of construction.

Noah Ready-Campbell
Built Robotics
Founder & CEO

Dandelion launched from X, Alphabet's "Moonshot" division. When I told Astro Teller, the CEO of X, we'd decided to work with Building Ventures as an investor, he said, "You really can't do better than those guys." He was right. Many investors use other investors' interest as a strong signal of value. Building Ventures stands out as doing due diligence differently. They prioritized getting to know us as a team, seeing how we accepted feedback and how we communicated. I never feel like I have to filter information or "message" to them, because they are genuine in their motivation to do whatever they can help the company succeed. This trust makes the relationship highly productive.

Kathy Hannun
Dandelion
Founder & President

When we started Hypar there was only one outside investor that we wanted to work with early on: Building Ventures. We knew that the expertise of the Building Ventures team would be incredibly valuable, and that we could leverage their deep network to have the right conversations as we define our product-market fit. Not a day goes by where my inbox doesn’t have a lead or opportunity provided by a member of the Building Ventures team, and we rely on their decades of experience in AEC to help calibrate our vision for Hypar. These guys are out there every day working hard to ensure our success.

Ian Keough
Hypar
Co-Founder & CEO

I met Jesse in 2014 when Borealis invested in a startup where, at the time, I led engineering. Jesse stood out from the rest of the syndicate. He was consistent and genuine in his engagement with the team. This made a lasting impression. When the time came for me to raise a round as the founder of my own startup, naturally Jesse and Building Ventures was on my shortlist of target VCs. Not surprisingly, the entire BV team shares Jesse’s signature work ethic, active engagement with the portfolio, quality of character and a true commitment to the industry.

Andrew Zukoski
Join.build
Co-Founder & CEO

We chose to work with Building Ventures because their team was earnest and comprised of tech entrepreneurs with relevant real estate expertise. They were efficient and transparent on diligence, able to see the opportunity the same way we did at Measurabl and offer constructive input to accelerate our business goals.

Matt Ellis
Measurabl
Founder & CEO