CRH Ventures, the venture capital arm of CRH, a leading provider of building materials solutions, has announced the launch of its latest accelerator programme, Sustainable Building Materials. Applications for the programme are open until 16 December 2024.
With a focus on driving the construction industry towards smarter and more sustainable practices, the new accelerator is designed to support Seed, Series A, and Series B stage companies in the construction technology (contech) and climate tech sectors that have market-ready products. The initiative aims to identify and promote innovative materials and applications that can help lower emissions, reduce waste, and improve energy efficiency in the built environment.
The accelerator will centre on three primary areas:
- Sustainable Binder Solutions: This includes companies that enhance the carbon performance or circularity of traditional cement and concrete materials.
- New Materials and Applications: This area targets firms developing novel materials or alternative applications of existing materials to create non-traditional cement or concrete solutions.
- CO2 Mineralized Materials: This focuses on companies that utilise CO2 in binders, aggregates, or concrete to develop building materials that also offer carbon storage benefits.
By tapping into the significant market potential for decarbonisation, the Sustainable Building Materials accelerator aims to support startups in developing and scaling their operations. CRH Ventures plans to facilitate one or more pilot programmes for each shortlisted applicant, providing commercial users for their products and assisting in technology refinement. Startups will also have broader access to CRH’s extensive network of over 200 operating companies, allowing them to gain insights from CRH experts and explore synergies as they expand their technologies. Furthermore, participants may be eligible for potential investments from CRH Ventures following the pilot programmes.
Eduardo Gomez, Head of CRH Ventures, stated: “There’s an incredible opportunity to reduce construction-related emissions and enhance circularity through innovation. At CRH, we’re uniquely positioned to support the development of sustainable and innovative solutions and technologies to meet the changing needs of construction. In launching the Sustainable Building Materials accelerator, we plan to identify the most impactful innovations and drive their commercial development through our network to support the construction industry in decarbonising and help CRH achieve its 2050 net-zero ambition.”
Applications for the accelerator can be submitted via the CRH Ventures website until 16 December 2024. The selection process will take place throughout November and December, culminating in a live pitch day in February 2025 for the most promising 10-12 startups.
Since its establishment in 2022, CRH Ventures has positioned itself as a leader in construction innovation, backed by a $250 million venturing and innovation investment fund. The Sustainable Building Materials accelerator marks CRH Ventures’ third initiative; earlier this year, it launched the Roads of the Future accelerator, aimed at innovations impacting the roads ecosystem, and a Water Solutions accelerator focused on technologies addressing various water management challenges.