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BRANU and Hike Ventures: Pioneering a New Era in Construction with AI

BRANU Inc., headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, has made a significant move to revolutionize the construction industry by partnering with Hike Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on promising startups utilizing AI technologies. With a vision to modernize the construction sector through technology, BRANU recently announced its Limited Partner (LP) investment in Hike Ventures, marking a crucial step towards innovative co-creation in the AI domain.

Embracing the Future: The 'On AI' Initiative

The core of BRANU's strategy is encapsulated in their 'On AI' initiative. This initiative seeks to leverage AI to transform construction sites, thus addressing longstanding challenges such as labor shortages, inefficiencies, and low profitability that have plagued the industry. By embedding AI across all their products, including the CAREECON Platform, BRANU aims to shift the construction landscape towards a more sustainable and efficient future.

The 'On AI' initiative represents more than just technological implementation; it’s a commitment to create an 'AI-native' environment where AI becomes a standard part of operations. This long-term vision positions BRANU as a pioneer in constructing a future where AI is deeply integrated into the construction sector.

The Need for Change in the Construction Sector

As AI technologies, including generative AI, continue to evolve, they have demonstrated their effectiveness in optimizing operations across various industries. However, the construction industry faces unique challenges due to its complex structure, with varying subcontractors and the mixing of short and long-term projects. The absence of standardization and a cohesive approach to digital transformation (DX) has hindered progress.

Moreover, in many companies, decision-makers are often required to be on-site, leaving little room for comprehensive operational improvement initiatives. It is in this context that AI offers a transformative potential, providing solutions to standardize knowledge sharing, automate complex tasks, and visualize risks and profits in real-time.

For small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs), AI technology can be a game-changer. By compensating for limited human and financial resources, it is emerging as a vital tool for driving productivity and sustainable growth.

BRANU's Commitment to Digital Transformation

Through the CAREECON Platform, BRANU has been supporting digital transformation for small construction enterprises. Recently, it has shifted towards a more AI-centric business strategy, ensuring that all product developments are rooted in AI technology. This includes fostering improvements in operational efficiency and optimizing management through AI-driven decision support and automation.

Hike Ventures, based in Silicon Valley, is known for its investments in startups tackling societal and industrial challenges through AI. Their deep expertise in the construction and AI sectors makes them a strategic partner for BRANU, allowing for greater visibility into groundbreaking developments in the startup ecosystem.

A Promising Future Together

The recent LP investment, by BRANU in Hike Ventures, is expected to expand BRANU's connections with leading AI startups globally, hastening the development of their products and accelerating growth. Both companies anticipate fostering future collaborations that could lead to groundbreaking advancements in construction driven by AI.

Shouji Naohiro, General Partner at Hike Ventures, expressed confidence in this partnership, stating that BRANU's profound understanding of construction and commitment to AI-native operations aligns with their vision for innovation. By combining global insight with on-site problem-solving abilities, the evolution of construction through AI technology is set to accelerate.

BRANU CFO Utsunomiya's Vision

Utsunomiya, CFO of BRANU, emphasizes the importance of external connections for practical AI implementation. This LP investment is seen as a strategic move to enhance BRANU's understanding of technology trends crucial for future business decisions and product developments.

As BRANU continues to evolve through partnerships and collaborations, the goal remains clear: to design a new industry reality rooted in AI technologies.

About CAREECON Platform

The CAREECON Platform consists of a matching site for construction professionals and an integrated business tool for marketing, recruitment, project management, and business management aimed at the construction industry. With over 5,000 contracts, this platform specializes in providing consulting services alongside its functionality to ensure effective DX implementation for SMBs.

Overview of Hike Ventures

Hike Ventures is a venture capital firm dedicated to investing in startups that resolve industry challenges through AI. They have established a robust network within the global startup ecosystem, particularly in Silicon Valley, focusing on cutting-edge technologies such as machine learning and deep learning.

About BRANU Inc.

Founded in August 2009, BRANU Inc. is dedicated to accelerating digital transformation in the construction industry. By leveraging the CAREECON Platform, they are at the forefront of driving technological evolution in a traditionally conservative sector, proving that innovation can indeed thrive in every corner of the industry.

For more information about BRANU, please visit BRANU Website.