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EllisDon selects Winners!

Written by Josh Graham | Nov 28, 2024 11:10:14 AM
EHAB to accelerate expansion across North America with keystone partnership. 

EHAB is proud to be one of just three startups, chosen from a competitive cohort of 165 applicants, to partner with EllisDon Corporation in accelerating innovation. This milestone marks the beginning of a significant collaboration across EllisDon construction sites, transforming how the industry tackles weather risk management in Canada and beyond.

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EllisDon Corporation, founded in 1951 in London, Ontario, is an employee-owned global construction services and technology company, headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario. With over 70 years of experience, EllisDon has established itself as a pioneer in delivering large-scale, innovative projects across various market sectors, including healthcare, infrastructure, and commercial development. The company is widely recognized for its unwavering commitment to innovation, sustainability, and advancing the construction industry.

 

The Accelerator

As a forward-thinking organisation, EllisDon continually invests in emerging technologies and cutting-edge solutions to address the evolving needs of the construction sector. This commitment is exemplified through initiatives like the Construction Technology Accelerator Program, launched in May 2023 in partnership with Impulse Partners. This accelerator identifies and supports promising construction tech start-ups, providing them with resources, access to pilot projects, mentorship from industry experts, and networking opportunities. Through this program, EllisDon demonstrates its dedication to fostering innovation and driving transformational change in the industry, cementing its role as a trailblazer in modern construction practices.

In 2023, EllisDon launched its inaugural ConTech Accelerator Program, aiming to foster innovation within the construction industry. The program attracted over 100 applicants, from which eight global startups were selected to participate. These startups engaged in a dynamic two-day event that included discussions, site tours, networking opportunities, and pitch sessions. The program focused on five key challenges: Productivity & Efficiency, Environment & Sustainability, Health & Safety, Contract & Legal, and Quality Assurance & Quality Control. The 2023 edition successfully connected emerging technologies with industry leaders, setting a strong foundation for future collaborations and advancements in construction technology.

In 2024 they went one step bigger & better. Over 165 applications came in, driven in large part due to the success of the first program. 

The Journey

In May, EHAB threw its hat into the ring as one of the ambitious hopefuls vying for a coveted spot at the EllisDon Construction Technology Accelerator. The stakes were high, and the competition fierce, but being chosen as a finalist was already a monumental win. With excitement and determination, Josh Graham, EHAB’s CEO, packed his bags and set off on the 3,547-mile journey from London to Mississauga, Ontario, a vibrant part of the GTA (Greater Toronto Area).

Mississauga greeted him not just with a strikingly different climate but also a palpable energy. From the very first moments at EllisDon’s headquarters, it was clear that innovation wasn’t just a buzzword—it was a core value. The program kicked off in grand style, with EllisDon’s chairman and CEO taking center stage in the opening speeches, setting an inspiring tone. Their involvement as judges on the innovation panel underscored their hands-on commitment to driving progress in construction technology. It wasn’t just about pitching ideas; it was about shaping the future of the industry.

The 8 finalists: 

  1. BoxLock (Atlanta, GA, USA): Provides smart padlocks and software solutions to enhance security, efficiency, and accountability for businesses, enabling them to secure assets and automate processes.

  2. Dig Robotics (Nir Am, Israel): Develops technology for optimal operation of excavation machinery, aiming to offer cost-effective solutions that achieve net-zero emissions while improving efficiency and reducing energy consumption.

  3. EHAB (London, England): Assists the construction industry in measuring, minimising, and mitigating weather-related risks through a platform that combines hyper-local data, machine learning, and advanced modelling.

  4. GanttAI (Mississauga, ON, Canada): Utilises AI models trained on company-specific data to revolutionise project scheduling, enabling teams to generate, review, and compare future schedules efficiently.

  5. Salus (Vancouver, BC, Canada): Offers a safety management platform connecting businesses to field workers, enhancing compliance and simplifying complex environments in industries such as construction, oil and gas, mining, and manufacturing.

  6. Sensytec (Houston, TX, USA): Provides real-time performance data for critical infrastructure through patented technology, offering insights into concrete infrastructure performance and promoting process efficiencies and CO₂ reduction.

  7. Siiv (San Francisco, CA, USA): Employs AI to automate the payment application review process in construction accounting, capturing documents, automating audits, and generating reports to provide project insights and predictions.

  8. Specter Automation (Köln, Germany): Digitizes lookahead planning for construction sites, offering a dynamic 3D model-based to-do list and live site status overview to assist managers in making optimal project planning and execution decisions.

As part of the experience, we toured a local construction site. This provided valuable insight into how EllisDon manages its projects and offered a great opportunity to capture some impressive photos.

 

What this means for EHAB?

Now, with EHAB’s victory secured, the focus shifts to rapid improvement, deployment, and expansion of the product to address EllisDon’s diverse use cases. EHAB is determined to deliver significant time and resource savings for EllisDon, while setting a new standard for contractors and clients across North America. By helping projects better manage weather risks, EHAB is paving the way for a more efficient, resilient future in construction.

A huge congratulations to all the startups who pitched and participated! A heartfelt thank you to the EllisDon team who took the time to meet with us and discuss our project, as well as the incredible innovation team and Impulse Partners who made it all possible. Now, the real work begins.