Since the start of 2024, over 35 million euros have already been invested in start-ups supported by Leonard, in the construction, energy, real estate and mobility sectors. These contributions attest to the vitality of the sector, in a context where France is already the second country to invest the most in this type of project in Europe in 2023.
The construction sector confirms its commitment to sustainable practices
“Recent fundraisings of projects supported by Leonard demonstrate not only the vitality and resilience of the construction sector, but also the commitment of investors to support innovative projects. These financings reflect a growing confidence in the ability of start-ups to transform and modernize our industry with forward-thinking solutions and disruptive technologies. Leonard is proud to be able to support the maturation of these projects thanks to the VINCI ecosystem”, says Julien Villalongue, director of Leonard.
Connecting start-ups with 300 expert investors in the construction, energy, real estate and mobility sectors is an integral part of Leonard’s mission to actively contribute to the transformation of the industry and the promotion of solutions that meet today’s environmental and economic challenges.
Leonard exposes start-ups to three main families of investment funds: venture capital funds, such as Eurazeo, Daphni and Ring Capital; corporate investors, such as Nova by Saint-Gobain and Holcim Maqer Ventures; and institutional investors, such as Bpifrance or BNP Paribas.
Among the promising projects supported by Leonard, four start-ups stand out for their economic potential and environmental impact :
- Orus Energy, an AI-powered software that helps commercial building operators activate and leverage their flexibility on the power grid to generate a new revenue stream, has raised 2.2 million euros. The software also helps reduce carbon emissions and accelerate the energy transition. The funds raised will be used to develop the energy flexibility platform and decarbonize electricity grids.
- Materrup, a young French industrial impact company producing low-carbon cement based on uncalcined clay derived from local waste, has raised 26 million euros. The funds raised will support the deployment of Materrup’s MCC1© circular, low-carbon cement technology based on uncalcined clay, and accelerate the roll-out of its production units in France and Europe.
- Strong by Form, a Spanish company that uses cutting-edge technologies to create optimized architectural structures, has raised 5.2 million euros. This investment will facilitate the implementation of their pioneering projects in the field of sustainable construction. Strong by Form combines the logic of composite materials with the natural intelligence of wood and advanced robotics to produce lightweight, free-form structural components to replace steel, concrete and aluminum in construction and mobility.
- Autarc, a Berlin-based start-up that uses AI and LiDAR technology to optimize the heat pump installation process, has raised over €1 million. Their SaaS (Software As A Service) platform cuts project time by 50% by simplifying access to installers and financing options for customers, and the contractual process for installers.
Leonard also facilitates the match between the operational needs of VINCI subsidiaries and the innovative solutions developed by these startups. In 2023, contracts signed between start-ups supported by Leonard and VINCI Group companies generated sales of 4.6 million euros.
Among these successes is Machine26, a marketplace platform dedicated to the resale and life-extension of construction equipment. After receiving support from Leonard in 2022, the start-up signed a partnership agreement with VINCI Construction on June 26, entrusting it with the resale of its construction equipment.
Green Tech confirms its growth
Among the thirty or so startups supported in recent years by the SEED start-up program, Leonard has observed an increase in green tech projects, which encompass technological innovations and practices designed to reduce the environmental impact of human activities.
The Class of 2024 confirms that this is a favorable environment for their development, as in 2023, French green tech raised almost 278 billion euros, making France the second biggest investor in this type of project in Europe (Source: Bpifrance).
En parallèle de SEED, Leonard déploie également les programmes CATALYST (pour l’accélération de star-up plus matures), Intrapreneurs et IA, pour les collaborateurs de VINCI. 39 projets et start-up sont accompagnés dans ce cadre cette année par Leonard.
Alongside SEED, Leonard also deploys the CATALYST (for the acceleration of more mature star-ups), Intrapreneurs and AI programs, for VINCI employees. Leonard is supporting 39 projects and start-ups this year.
