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Gropyus has recently joined the Semapa Next portfolio, which is relentlessly pursuing its path of growth and affirmation in the European venture capital landscape.
Originally from Austria and Germany, Gropyus defines itself as a company specializing in sustainable and accessible construction, having redesigned the entire building process. From design and engineering to construction, Gropyus uses advanced technological solutions that make the whole process more efficient, with higher quality and predictability, enabling economies of scale in a traditionally non-scalable sector.
Gropyus attracted Semapa Next’s attention due to several factors. Firstly, the background of the two co-founders, both previously involved in building two major success stories in the startup ecosystem, explains Daniel Nascimento, Principal at Semapa Next. We’re talking about Markus Fuhrmann-former co-founder of Delivery Hero, an online food delivery company-and Philipp Erler, former CIO of Zalando, one of Europe’s largest fashion and lifestyle e-commerce platforms. On the other hand, Gropyus’s vision and maturity stage also contributed to Semapa Next’s investment. As Daniel Nascimento notes, “At the time, we visited the first building Gropyus had built in Germany. Now, there are more. We saw that Gropyus is digitizing and transforming the residential market, ‘productizing’ housing construction.”
The co-founders of Gropyus aimed to transform residential building through technological innovation, sustainability, and accessibility. The technological innovation component is reflected in a fully integrated process that combines software, technology, robotics, industrialized manufacturing, and a turnkey solution. Gropyus created a tool that works as a home planner. This system allows clients to design their house in 3D. Based on pre-defined modules and standards, the planning is digitized and sent directly to the factory, which operates with a high level of automation, supported by a partnership with KUKA, a global leader in smart automation solutions, which chose Gropyus as a flagship company to jointly develop machines that will be key in this housing construction revolution.
Forty-five robots and twelve autonomous vehicles have been added, and in Gropyus’s current factory, it is possible to manufacture a wall panel in just 17 minutes and a ceiling panel in 16 minutes, reaching an automation level of 86%. This transformation allowed the company to drastically increase its production capacity to over 240,000 m² of gross area.
Alongside this, Gropyus’s approach is environmentally responsible. Daniel Nascimento highlights, “The main raw material used by Gropyus in construction is wood. This is the first step towards sustainability.” In addition, factory construction is faster, more efficient, and generates less waste. Consequently, costs are lower compared to traditional construction.
In addition to focusing on efficiency and cost reduction, there is a commitment to quality. All buildings are designed to meet universal standards of comfort, design, and functionality that are common to all profiles and ages. Gropyus’s construction concept goes beyond what is expected from a traditional construction company by promoting a healthier lifestyle-green spaces have been created to foster tranquility and a connection with nature. But that’s not all. Common areas were designed to encourage interaction among building residents.
By creating spaces that are simultaneously accessible, sustainable, and promote well-being, Gropyus is paving the way for a future where quality housing is not a luxury, but a right accessible to all. Daniel Nascimento, Principal at Semapa Next, also emphasizes that “Gropyus is solving what seems to be a major problem not only in Portugal, but across Europe: the supply of affordable housing.” At the same time, more jobs are being created, with around 300 employees across six locations in Germany, Austria, and Liechtenstein.
Learn all about Gropyus