Media Releases
Singapore to host inaugural APAC Pitch Day for the world’s largest competition for construction start-ups
6 May 2026
The world’s largest Construction Startup Competition (CSC) will launch its inaugural Asia-Pacific (APAC) Pitch Day in Singapore, solidifying the Republic as the region’s innovation leader in Construction Technology (ConTech). The competition is hosted by leading venture capital and built environment (BE) stakeholders: Cemex Ventures, Caterpillar, Dysruptek by Haskell, Ferrovial, Hilti, VINCI Group’s Leonard, NOVA by Saint-Gobain, Trimble, Zacua Ventures, and the BCA.
The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) of Singapore is proud to announce that Singapore will be hosting the inaugural Asia Pacific (APAC) Pitch Day for the 10th edition of the Construction Startup Competition (CSC) in 2026. The debut of CSC in Singapore marks a significant milestone, cementing the Republic’s position as a premier regional hub for Construction Technology (ConTech). This partnership will facilitate greater exchange of innovative global solutions with local and regional Built Environment (BE) firms, while providing Singapore’s startups with the chance to engage with the world’s leading venture capital and construction firms.
A Growing Global Market
Acute needs in the global BE sector - spanning from the demand for greater sophistication in design to the need for greater efficiency and productivity, have driven momentum for BE firms to search for innovative technology and solutions. This growing demand has fuelled significant investment growth, with global ConTech investment doubled from 2024 to reach USD 6.57 billion in 2025, the highest level of capital allocation to date.
The APAC region is also fast becoming a key engine of this global ConTech flywheel, accounting for almost 20% of global ConTech investment in 2025.[1] By hosting the CSC APAC Pitch Day, Singapore is strategically positioning itself at the nexus of this ecosystem, bridging the gap between global capital and regional innovation.
The Construction Startup Competition (CSC)
Founded by nine global industry leaders, the CSC has become the leading global platform for disruptive construction technology since its inception in 2017 (Please see Annex for more information). Through its past nine editions, the platform has empowered over 4,100 startups from over 80 countries, offering them greater industry recognition, opportunities to pilot their solutions in real projects, funding from global venture capitalists, and strategic partnerships with BE industry leaders. As of 2025, 44 finalist start-ups, including homegrown startup Ailytics which develops AI-powered video analytics solutions for construction worksites, have advanced to the US and European Pitch Day events, collectively securing over US$448 million in investment. Ailytics was also named a finalist winner at CSC’s European Pitch Day in 2025, a testament to the global competitiveness of Singapore’s homegrown innovative solutions.
"Singapore’s ConTech ecosystem has crossed a new growth threshold, positioning us to lead the next wave of innovation and technology development. BCA is proud to welcome the inaugural APAC edition of the CSC to Singapore – a move that establishes the country as a gateway for introducing ConTech innovation from the US and Europe markets to the rest of APAC. Our CSC partners will benefit by unlocking connections within the APAC region, whilst giving our local solution providers access to these international markets. Having a greater exposure to the best cutting-edge solutions globally will help to accelerate Singapore’s BE transformation through innovation and technology,” said Mr. Heng Teck Thai, Deputy CEO, Building and Construction Authority.
The CSC continues to expand its global footprint, with a strategic move into the APAC region through the collaboration with BCA Singapore as a key partner. This milestone strengthens CSC’s presence in one of the most dynamic and innovation-driven construction ecosystems. As highlighted by Miguel Carralón, Investment Manager at Cemex Ventures, “We see Singapore increasingly positioning itself as a global technology hub, and through the CSC we aim to expand our footprint and bring the platform closer to the local ConTech community, enabling stronger access to collaborations and investment opportunities. At the same time, this expansion will allow us to provide greater visibility to the rest of the CSC partners on the highly disruptive innovations emerging across the region, fostering new connections and unlocking opportunities that might otherwise remain untapped.”
The Inaugural APAC Pitch Day
The APAC Pitch Day will welcome submissions from applicants across the Asia Pacific region from 4 May to 28 June 2026. Five finalist winners will be invited to participate in The APAC Pitch Day, hosted at the International Built Environment Week (IBEW) 2026’s ConTech Summit on 2 September 2026. These finalists will join the top 125 global entries, and will gain access to one of the most influential networks of venture capital and stakeholders in the BE industry. The winner will receive a cash prize, access to one of the most influential networks of venture capital and stakeholders in the BE industry, and a place among the top 30 global entries of the CSC.
The event aims to attract promising startups from across the region, giving local and regional BE firms a direct pipeline to access and evaluate technologies that are ready to be piloted or adopted, while presenting an opportunity to introduce CSC's global network of partners and investors to Singapore's Innovation and Technology (I&T) ecosystem. For our homegrown startups, the APAC Pitch Day on home ground is a chance to compete and be recognised on the world stage and gain networking and investment opportunities to scale and establish their solutions globally.
Download the PDF version of the media release here
[1] Source: Cemex Ventures Top 50 Startups Report 2025: https://www.cemexventures.com/top-50/
ANNEX – 10th Edition of the Construction Startup Competition (CSC)
Now in its landmark 10th edition, the Construction Startup Competition (CSC) continues to connect emerging companies with leading corporates, investors, and industry decision-makers seeking scalable solutions to some of construction’s most pressing challenges. Startups selected for the programme will gain access to strategic visibility, valuable industry connections, potential pilot opportunities, and exposure to capital partners across a global innovation ecosystem.
CSC2026 will conclude with three flagship Pitch Days, designed to connect startups with regional innovation hubs and global industry leaders. Finalists will have the opportunity to present their solutions in the APAC Pitch Day in Singapore, the European Pitch Day in Helsinki, and US Pitch Day in Las Vegas.
This year’s edition introduces five strategic focus areas aligned with the sector’s evolving priorities:
1. Preconstruction Tech: Technologies that use data, analytics, and digital planning to improve decision-making before construction begins.
2. Jobsite Productivity & Building Systems: Solutions that optimise on-site execution by improving labour, equipment, and building system performance.
3. ClimaTech for the Built World: Technologies that reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency and enable sustainability across buildings and construction.
4. Smart Manufacturing & Logistics: Digital and automated solutions that enhance production efficiency, supply chain coordination, and material flows.
5. Smart Buildings and Infrastructure: Connected systems that use data, sensors, and automation to operate buildings and infrastructure more efficiently, safely, and intelligently.
Through these categories, the Competition aims to spotlight the technologies driving greater efficiency, resilience, sustainability, and performance across the construction value chain.
Organising Partners of the Construction Startup Competition
About Cemex Ventures
Launched in 2017, Cemex Ventures focuses on helping overcome the main challenges and capitalizing on the opportunity areas in the construction ecosystem through sustainable solutions. Cemex Ventures has developed an open collaborative platform to lead the revolution of the construction industry, engaging startups, entrepreneurs, universities, and other stakeholders to tackle the challenges in the construction environment and shape the industry’s future. For more information on Cemex Ventures, please visit: www.cemexventures.com
About Caterpillar
With 2024 sales and revenues of $64.8 billion, Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. For 100 years, we’ve been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reduced-carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed. Caterpillar does business on every continent, principally operating through three primary segments – Construction Industries, Resource Industries and Energy & Transportation – and providing financing and related services through our Financial Products segment. Visit us at caterpillar.com or join the conversation on our social media channels at caterpillar.com/en/news/social-media.html
About Dysruptek
Formed in 2018, Dysruptek is the venture investment arm of The Haskell Company. Dysruptek seeks to invest in disruptive Architecture, Engineering and Construction technologies reshaping the built world. Dysruptek acts as an agent of change and partner to innovators driving meaningful impact across the industry. Invest. Invent. Innovate. For more information, please visit: www.dysruptek.com
About BCA
The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) of Singapore champions a safe, sustainable, and liveable built environment for Singapore. As a leader in the sector, BCA is dedicated to driving industry transformation and setting rigorous standards in building safety, quality, and environmental sustainability. By advancing innovation, digitalisation, and the development of a skilled workforce, BCA fosters a dynamic industry that is ready to meet the evolving needs of the nation and build a resilient and progressive built environment for all. For more information, visit www.bca.gov.sg
About the Hilti Group
The Hilti Group supplies the worldwide construction and energy industries with technologically leading products, systems, software and services. With more than 34,000 team members in over 120 countries the company stands for direct customer relationships, quality and innovation. Hilti generated annual sales of more than CHF 6.4 billion in 2024 and invests approximately 7 percent of sales in research and development each year. The company is privately owned by the Martin Hilti Family Trust, which ensures its long-term continuity. The Hilti Group’s purpose is making construction better, based on a passionate and inclusive global team and a caring and performance-oriented culture. With more than 280,000 daily interactions with customers, Hilti knows that the most innovative ideas are born on the jobsite. To learn more, please visit: www.hilti.group
About VINCI Group’s Leonard
Leonard is the innovation and foresight platform set up by VINCI, a global player in concessions, energy and construction businesses, employing more than 280,000 people in more than 120 countries. Leonard was created to imagine the future of the Group’s business lines and is tasked with watching emerging trends in VINCI’s areas of expertise and markets, identifying new growth opportunities, and setting up incubation and acceleration programs for Group employees as well as start-ups. Each year, Leonard supports the acceleration and development of over 40 of the best innovative projects in construction, mobility, energy and real estate. To house these programs and start conversations with all the people blazing new trails in VINCI’s business lines, Leonard opened Leonard: Paris, a 4,500 square meters lab in Paris. Since 2020, Leonard has been expanding operation in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Latin America. To find out more about Leonard: https://leonard.vinci.com/en/
About NOVA By Saint-Gobain
NOVA by Saint-Gobain identifies forward-thinking startups around the world that align with Saint-Gobain strategy and focus on sustainability to help nurture their companies to scale through strategic partnerships and investments. With a presence in Asia, Europe, North and South America, NOVA connects the global startup community with the power, resources, and experience of Saint-Gobain to address the needs of today and challenges of tomorrow. Learn more by visiting https://www.nova-saint-gobain.com and www.saint-gobain.com
About Trimble
Trimble is a global technology company that connects the physical and digital worlds, transforming the ways work gets done. With relentless innovation in precise positioning, modeling and data analytics, Trimble enables essential industries including construction, geospatial and transportation. Whether it's helping customers build and maintain infrastructure, design and construct buildings, optimize global supply chains or map the world, Trimble is at the forefront, driving productivity and progress. For more information about Trimble (Nasdaq: TRMB), visit: www.trimble.com
About Zacua Ventures
Zacua Ventures is a dynamic, early-stage venture capital fund dedicated to tackling the most pressing challenges in Sustainability, Productivity, and Urbanization within the built environment, on a global scale. With our strategic footprint in North America, Europe, and Asia, Zacua Ventures actively supports the most visionary and forward-thinking entrepreneurs. Our mission is to not only fortify their value propositions but also facilitate the global expansion of their ventures, leveraging extensive corporate networks. Zacua has a robust backing from industry-leading corporations worldwide, across the entire value chain of the industry, establishing a distinctive value proposition for our portfolio startups by fostering direct relationships with leading building material manufacturers, contractors, engineering companies, developers, and software companies. Zacua is led by partners with over three decades of combined industry expertise, who, for the past decade, have been at the forefront of investing in cutting-edge construction technology. Discover how Zacua Ventures is shaping the future of the built environment by empowering visionary entrepreneurs at www.zacuaventures.com
About Ferrovial
Ferrovial is one of the world’s leading companies. The Company operates in more than 15 countries and has a workforce of over 25,000 worldwide. Ferrovial is triple listed on Euronext Amsterdam, the Spanish Stock Exchanges, and Nasdaq (Nasdaq 100 Index) and is a member of Spain’s blue-chip IBEX 35 index. It is also included in globally recognised sustainability indices such as the Dow Jones Best in Class Index (former Dow Jones Sustainability Index), and all its operations are conducted in compliance with the principles of the UN Global Compact, which the Company adopted in 2002. For more information on Ferrovial, please visit: www.ferrovial.com