#construction #Portugal #Lisbon #tech startup #Litehaus

Advancing the Construction Industry: Litehaus

In an exciting development for the construction sector, Litehaus, a startup founded in 2024 by Simi and Thibault Launay, has successfully raised €1.46 million in a pre-seed funding round. This influx of capital is aimed at fundamentally transforming the process of residential construction in Europe, leveraging technology to streamline operations and enhance efficiency.

The genesis of Litehaus arose from the Launays’ own challenges faced while building their home in Portugal. They encountered 14 months of delays, a 20% cost overrun, and the daunting task of coordinating ten different contractors. Such experiences led to a realization: there had to be a better way, one that could prevent others from facing similar hurdles.

Thus, Litehaus was conceived as a digital platform designed to simplify the complexities of construction. The platform acts as a comprehensive operating system that unites the various phases of home construction—from planning and budgeting to execution and delivery—into a single, cohesive solution. This innovative approach aims to connect clients with a diverse array of professionals including architects, contractors, and designers, ensuring a seamless workflow throughout the building process.

The distinguishing factor of Litehaus lies in its commitment to cost-effectiveness, speed, and sustainability. With the use of advanced technologies, the platform aims to reduce construction costs by 30%, expedite timelines by 40%, and contribute 60% more toward sustainable practices compared to conventional methods.

Recent funding has been led by Explorer Investments, a major Portuguese investment fund, alongside contributions from Cornerstone VC, Pascal Levy-Garboua, and the Claster Group. Rodney Appiah, Managing Partner of Cornerstone VC, expressed enthusiasm for Litehaus's mission, emphasizing the urgent need for transparency and trust in a construction sector rife with challenges. According to Appiah, “Litehaus combines transparency, sustainability and trust in a sector that urgently needs to change.”

In a short span of operation, Litehaus has made significant strides, having signed contracts valued at €4 million with individual clients and established partnerships that could potentially lead to over €296 million in construction initiatives. The company has already successfully overseen the construction of two houses, with plans to support the development of an additional fifteen in the coming period.

Simi Launay, co-founder of Litehaus, articulated a broader vision, stating, “I’ve always wanted to build businesses that change people’s lives. Making affordable housing available at scale isn’t just a market opportunity—it’s one of the most significant ways to create a real and lasting impact.”

Located in Portugal, Litehaus is not just limiting its operations to Portuguese borders; it has extended its presence into Spain, Estonia, and the USA, signaling its ambition to tackle housing shortages across these regions.

In an era where technology continuously shapes our daily experiences, Litehaus stands at the forefront of not just building structures but revolutionizing the entire ecosystem of home construction. As Thibault Launay aptly stated, “We don’t just build houses; we build the infrastructure and ecosystem that make constructing homes scalable.”

By bringing together cutting-edge technology and a client-centered approach, Litehaus purports to address some of the most pressing challenges faced by the housing market today. With its unique blend of high-tech innovation and operational efficiency, the startup is well-poised to make a significant impact on how homes are built in modern society.

In conclusion, the future of construction is increasingly leaning towards technology-driven platforms like Litehaus that promise to make the process of building homes more accessible, affordable, and efficient than ever before.