Hilti Venture's bold bet on the future of construction
Rhizlaine Benabid • 
As construction finally embraces long-overdue transformation, Hilti Venture is stepping in to accelerate the shift at the intersection of innovation, technology and real-world impact.
Founded in 2018 as the corporate venture-capital arm of the Hilti Group, Hilti Venture focuses on identifying and backing startups that are redefining how the built environment is planned, designed, constructed and maintained. Its mission is clear: support breakthrough ideas that create long-term strategic value for the construction industry and Hilti’s customers.
An innovation engine with a mission
Hilti Venture takes a focused approach by investing in startups working in robotics, software, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things, modular construction and sustainability. “What sets us apart is our commitment to working closely with startup founders, general and trade contractors, engineers and industry partners,” says Antonia Soler, head of Hilti Venture. “We don’t just invest, we build partnerships.”
That hands-on philosophy is essential in a sector where regulation is complex, adoption is slow and innovation must prove itself on real jobsites. “It’s not just about funding good ideas,” she adds. “It’s about making sure they can be implemented at scale and deliver measurable results.”
Backing big ideas having real-world impact
While Hilti Venture’s investment scope is broad, it remains grounded in the Group’s core strengths. “Our biggest bets are on software and robotics, especially AI-driven solutions that enhance productivity, efficiency and safety on the jobsite,” says Soler.
Other areas of growing interest include cloud-connected tools, modular building systems and technologies that drive sustainability.
Each potential investment is evaluated through two critical lenses: Does the startup align with Hilti’s long-term strategic vision? Can it be a venture-backed company and succeed in the market? The team looks closely at three pillars: the strength of the founding team, the size of the problem being addressed and evidence of early traction - such as pilot projects, revenue or customer feedback.
Hilti Venture invests across all stages, from pre-seed to Series C, tailoring its collaboration to each startup’s maturity, needs and growth path.
Challenges and success stories
Like any corporate venture capital (CVC) arm, Hilti Venture had to align the agility inherent in startups with the processes of a large industrial group. Hilti Venture’s priorities have focused on ensuring strategic alignment at all levels in an organization and building the systems that enable Hilti Venture to be a top CVC player in construction, bringing value to all stakeholders and the industry as a whole.
“Startups move quickly but corporate decision-making may not,” Soler notes. “One of our key roles at Hilti Venture is ensuring internal alignment and being the champion for our portfolio companies enabling them to maintain their momentum while benefiting from their collaboration with us."
Hilti Venture has the right setup in place and has achieved notable success. A standout example is Fieldwire, a construction management platform backed by Hilti Venture and fully acquired by Hilti Group in 2021. “It was a textbook example of what a successful corporate-startup partnership can be. In the three years after acquisition, the company more than tripled in size,” says Soler.
More recently, Hilti Venture invested in Outbuild, the first fully integrated scheduling and field planning software for construction. “We are very excited about Outbuild and all our portfolio companies and we can’t wait to see all the amazing things they will achieve,” notes Soler. “We also continue to sharpen our approach by working and listening to the very same company founders we back. We are highly committed to being a top corporate venture capital investor in construction and the best partner to our customers and startup founders,” Soler continues.
Investing for the long run
Hilti Venture’s investment strategy focuses mainly on the value that startups can bring to the industry. “Innovation in construction is a long game,” Soler explains. “Our goal is to invest in the most promising startups to make construction better.”
While AI, robotics and software remain top areas of focus, every investment must have a clear practical benefit. “Technology must solve a real problem,” she adds. "If it doesn't improve safety or efficiency and show outsized value for construction companies, our customers, it's not the right fit."
Currently, Hilti Venture’s focus is mainly in Europe and North America, but the team is exploring opportunities in new regions where innovation in construction is gaining momentum.
More than just capital
Startups that join Hilti Venture’s portfolio receive more than financial backing—they gain access to deep industry knowledge, customer networks and credibility.
“In this sector, access is often more valuable than funding,” Soler emphasizes. “We give startups exposure to potential customers and domain experts, access to Hilti’s software and robotics ecosystem and a trusted name that can accelerate their growth.”
That reputation matters in an industry where trust is earned through results and deep industry knowledge, not just pitch decks.
Hilti Venture is both founder- and customer-centric. It fosters a vibrant innovation ecosystem through long-term partnerships with startup founders, contractors, and key stakeholders in construction technology. Hilti Venture creates value by connecting promising startups with an extensive network of industry experts, including seasoned executives in go-to-market strategies and operations, technology specialists and successful company founders.
Through regular community events and networking opportunities, both public and private, Hilti Venture enables meaningful collaborations between customers, investors and innovative startups. The Venture team also partners with startups on product integration and features them on Fieldwire’s and ON!Track’s app marketplaces to expand their customer reach.
This comprehensive approach allows us to strengthen the construction tech ecosystem while supporting the vision of company founders and helping our customers stay at the forefront of industry innovation.
What’s next for Hilti Venture?
Looking ahead, Hilti Venture aims to keep building an ecosystem where capital, expertise and collaboration converge to tackle construction’s biggest challenges.
“We offer the stability of an established company and the flexibility of a fast-moving venture partner,” says Soler. “That combination allows us to help shape the future of construction one bold idea at a time.”
