The Construction Innovation Hub (CIH)
Aims to tackle major challenges in the construction industry, including labor shortages, environmental impact, project delays, and technology adoption, by fostering collaboration among stakeholders in the value chain. CIH will provide a platform for relevant stakeholders in the construction value chain comprising of tech / product startups, architects, engineers, designers, contractors, masons, carpenters, designers, policymakers, academics, and civil society organizations to come together and share their experiences, best practices, and solutions for sustainable construction. The Hub will also promote the development of markets for sustainable & affordable construction solutions.
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+Startups
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+Student Entrepreneurs
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+MSME Market Players
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+Hackathons
Key Activities
Support Startups
Identification, selection, and support startups across India with solutions in the construction / housing and with a special focus on affordable housing.
Nurturing Early-Stage Entrepreneurs
Coordinating with Universities and colleges in Kerala to identify early-stage innovators in shelter tech and to extend CIH support to them through knowledge sharing, expert mentoring, domain specific workshops and bootcamps.
MSME support in the construction value chain
The Hub will organize training programs, workshops, and seminars to build the capacity of MSME’s in construction practices, including sustainable construction practices.
Industry Outreach
The Hub will facilitate networking and collaboration among stakeholders in the construction industry, investor and corporate connect events, business incubation, and mentorship programs.
Innovation and research
The Hub will support research and development of innovative technologies and materials for sustainable construction, including low-carbon building materials, smart buildings, and renewable energy systems.
Policy advocacy
The Hub will work with policymakers to advocate for sustainable construction policies and regulations that promote resource efficiency, environmental protection, and social responsibility.
Access to funding
Paid PoC pilots to early-stage startups and access to funding at various stages through The Terwilliger Centre and KSUM network.
Benefits
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Benefit 01
Mentoring
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Benefit 02
Grants worth USD 150K
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Benefit 03
Support through KSUM schemes
Focus Sectors
Construction
Housing
Real Estate
Green Building Materials
Climate Tech
PropTech
Advisory Committee members
Anuj Mehra
Ex MD- Mahindra Home Finance , Impact Investment Mentor, Independent Director - Adani Housing Finance.
Bharat Jaisighani
Executive Director – Polycab India Limited
Harish Anand
Head - Group Corporate Infra Projects, Landmark Group
Adithya Jain
CEO, Founder TVASTA Manufacturing Solutions
Dhaval Monani
Associate Professor & Director of Housing, Anant National University and Advisory Board Member – TCIS
Anoop Ambika
CEO -Kerala Startup Mission
Anoop Nambiar
Country Director, TCIS
Gopikrishnan V
Founder BuildNext.in
Deepak Visvanathan
Technical Mentor & Advisor Habitat for Humanity International
Prof. B. Sunil Kumar
Director of Indian Institute of Infrastructure & Construction(IIIC)
Huddle Global Talk on Construction Innovation Hub
The hub aims to identify innovative solutions for the construction industry, focusing on sustainability and affordability. By leveraging the expertise of startups and entrepreneurs, the hub will drive the development of cost-effective and sustainable construction methods.
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Launch of Construction Innovation Hub
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Catalytic Grant Program 1.0 Winners
Gaudrika Digital Labour Chowk Private Limited
Digital Labour Chowk (DLC) is a private company founded by Chandrashekhar Mandal in October 2020 and registered under the Companies Act, 2013, with its registered office in Darbhanga, Bihar. Operating under the brand name Digital Labour Chowk, the company is a technology-driven virtual platform that connects migrant construction and domestic workers (such as painters, carpenters, electricians) with job opportunities in the construction industry.
DLC aims to transform employment opportunities for migrant workers by offering essential services such as health and safety provisions, insurance, banking assistance, and credibility-building platforms (like resume creation and profile ratings). The company’s vision is to replace traditional physical labour chowks across India with digital solutions, formalizing the labor industry and improving workers’ income levels. With the Indian construction sector employing over 144 million workers, DLC addresses critical issues like delayed wages, lack of training, and limited access to government schemes, contributing to the growth of the country’s economy.
C-DISC Technologies
CDISC Technologies, founded in 2020 by a seasoned civil engineering couple, is an innovative R&D startup revolutionizing the construction sector. As a women-led enterprise incubated at NIT TBI Calicut, the company focuses on merging cutting-edge construction technologies with sustainability principles based on the 3R’s (reduce, reuse, recycle). By incorporating advanced solutions such as Light Gauge Steel Framed Structures (LGSF), EPS 3D panels, Pre-Engineered Steel Building Systems, Precast Prestressed Grillage foundations, and the Pre-Engineered Nail Foundation system (PEN), CDISC aims to bring efficiency and eco-friendly alternatives to the industry. Developed by the company’s R&D team at NIT Calicut, these technologies support the creation of scalable, modular, and energy-efficient homes. The ultimate goal is to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the construction industry, paving the way for sustainable and net-zero energy housing solutions.
All About Architecture
All About Architecture is an AI-driven digital community dedicated to Green Building Architecture. Our goal is to assist designers, developers, and organizations with real estate portfolios in effortlessly adopting sustainable practices. The construction sector is one of the most environmentally damaging industries, and with over a thousand material choices and multiple factors to consider when building a single unit, it can be challenging to make the most sustainable decisions. Additionally, there is a shortage of trained professionals in this field. To address these challenges, our platform provides tools designed to help users make informed choices, ultimately reducing the environmental impact of construction projects and promoting eco-friendly building practices
Catalytic Grant Program 2.0 Winners
NOVACRET
At Ecostrata, we have developed Novacret, an innovative green concrete blend that revolutionizes sustainable construction. This zero-cement technology eliminates the need for cement, significantly reducing CO₂ emissions and removing the requirement for water curing. By utilizing steel industry waste like GGBS as the primary binder and a proprietary chemical activation process, Novacret achieves high compressive strength and durability with lower binder content, making it both cost-effective and eco-friendly.
recycleX
recycleX is developing innovative, low-cost building solutions that help reduce greenhouse gases. Our technology enables the production of cement-free, carbon-negative concrete using mineral waste and CO2 as raw materials. We are Using a process called carbonation activation, we eliminate the need for cement in concrete by replacing it with ground steel slag, a by-product of steel-making, Construction Waste and all kinds of ash from boilers and power plants. Recyclex manufactures Eco-Concrete, and eco concrete precast products like bricks, blocks, roads, etc a material which is the same as concrete but without cement. Eco-Concrete uses industrial by-products and alkaline chemicals to replace cement inside concrete. Our products and technology are economically affordable and cheaper for low-cost housing projects and better in strength.
CarbonStrong
Cement is the key component of concrete responsible for 8% of global CO2 emissions and India produces more concrete than the USA and Europe combined. With 75% of India’s 2050 built environment yet to be constructed, a scalable, low-carbon solution is critical. We address this by providing an engineered cement substitute based on fly ash—a widely available industrial byproduct—into a high-performance cement replacement. While fly ash is already used in concrete, it can only replace up to 20% of cement reliably. Our proprietary mechanochemical treatment activates fly ash, enabling 50-60% cement replacement without compromising performance. This innovation significantly reduces concrete’s carbon footprint while remaining cost-effective. Future developments could push this to 100% replacement, making zero-carbon concrete a reality through our technology.
Hackathon Winners
Partners
Ecosystem Partners
Community Partner
Supporting Partner
