We’re writing to you not just for the first time in 2023, but for the first time from our new Building Ventures office. We moved into a bigger space of our own last month, and we’ve already had the whole team gather at the new Boston home base. Now, we’re putting some final touches on the office—including shelving our built environment books, hanging pictures of our portfolio companies and previous BVIN events, and, of course, troubleshooting our audio and visuals for our Zoom meetings. Once we get everything settled, we’re looking forward to sharing more about our new setup and our experience working with Canoa to outfit the space with furniture and layouts that support our day-to-day work and reminds us of our mission to create a better built world.
Our move into the new space couldn’t have been timed better. We’ve recently welcomed Kelly LaBuff, an extern from HBS who is working with us for the semester.
Earlier this quarter, we also announced our investment in Skillit, the trade recruiting platform that makes the hiring experience faster and smarter for the construction industry. Our portfolio companies have all been busy with plenty of news, including product releases, expansions, press features, and more, as you’ll see below.
– The BV Team
Investment Updates
Our Investment in Skillit
We’re thrilled to lead Skillit’s seed round. Founder and CEO Fraser Patterson and the team provide construction companies with the most efficient way to recruit and retain skilled labor. Jesse shares more here.
Portfolio News & Activity
Measurabl & Aeroseal Earn Spots on the Global Cleantech 100 ♻️
The list highlights companies that have developed innovative decarbonization solutions. Aeroseal was recognized in the Energy & Power category, and Measurabl in the Resources & Environment category. Take a look at the entire list here.
In the News
🤖 Built Robotics acquired Roin Technologies, the makers of the first automated concrete power trowel, to grow the capabilities of Built’s engineering team and accelerate technological developments. Find the announcement here.
This quarter, Mezo launched a partnership with property management software AppFolio. The Mezo team also released several product updates and enhancements, including Enhanced Intelliflows to translate resident service requests into a clear diagnosis, skills, parts and tools required for actionable maintenance work orders. 🔧
AEC Magazine featured Hypar as its cover story. Read the article here. 👏
🏘 Mosaic expanded into Florida, with its build-to-rent general contracting services up and running. Builder covered the news here.
🏆 The 75F HyperStat is a finalist for the Edison Awards in the Safety and Security Solutions category. More here.
BuiltWorlds featured Join.build on its list of top preconstruction tools. Check that out here. 🏗
Canoa’s Head of Creative Alma Lopez was featured in Collective’s newsletter focused on the world of work and place. Check out the feature here. 🛶
🌐 Join Digital introduces its latest product AdaptIQ, the first first connected platform to power the creation of amazing work places. Read more.
Aeroseal earned recognition as a top sustainability product winner in this year’s Products that Count awards. Find the full list of winners here.🏆
Musings
🎥 enVerid released its first video in the company’s Ask the Experts Series featuring Brandon Harwick, founder and president of Engenium Group recently named one of ASHRAE’s top people in engineering to watch. Take a look here.
The team at Elephant Energy put together a complete guide to heat pumps in cold climates. Read that here. 📝
🎧 Dandelion founder Kathy Hannun joined Ross Palmer’s Beat the Often Path podcast to talk geothermal, her experience at Alphabet’s X Labs, and more. Listen here.
People Updates
Recently, Extracker announced that Tom Maiaroto has been promoted to Chief Technology Officer and Jim Lesko has joined the team as VP of Engineering. Read more here. 🙌
Hypar welcomed Leah Kovach to the team to lead marketing. 👏
Our portfolio companies have recently posted job openings for accountants, electricians, project managers, and so much more. Check out all the openings across BV portcos here. 👀
BV Updates
We’re excited to have Kelly LaBuff joining us as an extern this semester. Heather talked with Kelly about her passion for climate tech, her motivation for working with us, and more. You can read that here.
Earlier this month, Travis shared his take on student entrepreneurs launching startups without plans to drop out in The Boston Globe.
Back in January, Travis joined Measurabl at Sustainable Ski, the company’s first ever customer conference.
Earlier this year, Jesse and Gregg also attended the NAHB International Builders Show.
Next week, Gregg and Mayra will both be attending CONEXPO.
This week, Mayra will be speaking at BuiltWorlds Venture West. Mayra will join BVIN member and Head of Startups at VINCI Guillaume Bazouin, Swinterton Director of Innovation Aaron Anderson, Ecomedes CEO & Co-founder Kathleen Egan, and Ubiquitous Energy CEO Susan Stone in a panel discussion on climate tech and the regulatory impact on the built world. Gregg and Allen will be attending the BuiltWorlds conference, too.
In April, Heather will be hosting a session on product marketing and go-to-market strategy for startups at TechCrunch Early Stage in Boston.
Building Ventures invests in companies that are reshaping the way we design, build, operate and experience our built environment. Do you know a founder we simply have to meet? Send them here!
