Buildroid AI Raises USD 2 Million to Launch Construction Robots

24 Nov 2025 CW Team

Founded by Slava Solonitsyn, a YC alumnus and former founder of Mighty Buildings, and Anton Glance, founder of Glance Clock, Buildroid initially aims to transform partition wall-building before scaling to wider applications within the UAE’s USD 42.75 billion construction market.

Slava Solonitsyn, CEO and Co-founder, said: “UAE’s construction growth demands solutions to persistent labour shortages and productivity bottlenecks. Construction robots have been around for over a decade, but have had limited success, primarily because they automate narrow skills and require significant additional labour to support them. With the rapid development of AI, it has become possible to bring general-purpose and industrial robots to construction as well.”

Buildroid integrates Building Information Models with AI-based Digital Twin simulations powered by Nvidia Omniverse to optimise robotic workflows. Its simulated block-laying robot is currently being piloted on UAE construction sites and will be supported by Autonomous Mobile Robots for automated material delivery. The system delivers productivity improvements of up to 10x and cost reductions of up to 4x compared with manual labour.

The startup plans to expand into ERP-style orchestration for robotics, enabling simulation-first workflows and large-scale deployment across contractors. The approach differentiates Buildroid from single-purpose robotic providers in the MENA region, where construction is projected to reach USD 401.2 billion by 2030.

Imad Itani, Head of Innovation, ALEC, said: “In line with our robotics strategy, we are piloting Buildroid’s robotic block-laying system and look forward to leveraging their BIM simulation tools to virtually test solutions and de-risk onsite deployment.”

Lead investor Tim Draper said the platform offers scalable automation supported by skilled operators, combining multiple robotic technologies validated through BIM-based simulations.

The funding will be used to expand pilot programmes, advance simulation and autonomous capabilities, and accelerate commercial rollouts. Buildroid plans to deploy its first commercially available AI-powered robotics teams in Q2 next year through partnerships with major contractors.

Buildroid AI has emerged from stealth with USD 2 million in pre-seed funding led by Tim Draper, marking the launch of its first AI-driven block-laying robot, unveiled at the Big Five Construction Conference in Dubai. The initiative targets productivity challenges in the UAE construction sector, which is projected to grow 5.2 per cent in 2025 and reach USD 130 billion by 2029.Founded by Slava Solonitsyn, a YC alumnus and former founder of Mighty Buildings, and Anton Glance, founder of Glance Clock, Buildroid initially aims to transform partition wall-building before scaling to wider applications within the UAE’s USD 42.75 billion construction market.Slava Solonitsyn, CEO and Co-founder, said: “UAE’s construction growth demands solutions to persistent labour shortages and productivity bottlenecks. Construction robots have been around for over a decade, but have had limited success, primarily because they automate narrow skills and require significant additional labour to support them. With the rapid development of AI, it has become possible to bring general-purpose and industrial robots to construction as well.”Buildroid integrates Building Information Models with AI-based Digital Twin simulations powered by Nvidia Omniverse to optimise robotic workflows. Its simulated block-laying robot is currently being piloted on UAE construction sites and will be supported by Autonomous Mobile Robots for automated material delivery. The system delivers productivity improvements of up to 10x and cost reductions of up to 4x compared with manual labour.The startup plans to expand into ERP-style orchestration for robotics, enabling simulation-first workflows and large-scale deployment across contractors. The approach differentiates Buildroid from single-purpose robotic providers in the MENA region, where construction is projected to reach USD 401.2 billion by 2030.Imad Itani, Head of Innovation, ALEC, said: “In line with our robotics strategy, we are piloting Buildroid’s robotic block-laying system and look forward to leveraging their BIM simulation tools to virtually test solutions and de-risk onsite deployment.”Lead investor Tim Draper said the platform offers scalable automation supported by skilled operators, combining multiple robotic technologies validated through BIM-based simulations.The funding will be used to expand pilot programmes, advance simulation and autonomous capabilities, and accelerate commercial rollouts. Buildroid plans to deploy its first commercially available AI-powered robotics teams in Q2 next year through partnerships with major contractors.

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

VECV Sales Rise 7.8 Per Cent In May 2026

VE Commercial Vehicles recorded sales of 7,978 units in May 2026, compared to 7,401 units in May 2025, registering growth of 7.8 per cent. This included 7,789 units from the Eicher brand and 189 units from the Volvo brand.Eicher branded trucks and buses reported sales of 7,789 units during the month, up 7.3 per cent from 7,258 units a year earlier. In the domestic commercial vehicle market, Eicher sales rose 9.1 per cent to 7,375 units from 6,758 units in May 2025.Exports declined 17.2 per cent to 414 units from 500 units in the corresponding month last year. Volvo Trucks and Volvo Buses recor..

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

Table Space Strengthens DESYN Leadership Team

Table Space has announced strategic leadership appointments within DESYN, its integrated Design and Build business, as it looks to strengthen operations across key enterprise and GCC markets in India. DESYN was launched as a strategic extension of Table Space’s workspace solutions portfolio to meet rising demand for agile, high-quality and rapidly deployable enterprise workspaces.Shruti Ookabhoy has joined DESYN as Executive Director and will lead the Design vertical, focusing on design capability, operational excellence and team development across markets. She brings over 22 years of experi..

Infrastructure Transport

02 Jun 2026

Concord Associate Bags Rs 2.79 Bn Kavach Order

Concord Control Systems said its associate company, Progota India, has received a Rs 2.79 bn domestic order from Indian Railways for the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of on-board Kavach 4.0 loco equipment.The order is scheduled for execution within 12 months and strengthens Concord’s role in India’s railway safety and signalling ecosystem. Kavach is India’s indigenous automatic train protection system, designed to improve operational safety by helping prevent signal passing at danger and reducing collision risks.Gaurav Lath, Joint Managing Director, Concord Control Syst..