Monumental, the robotics startup dedicated to addressing the labor, cost, and sustainability challenges in the construction industry, has successfully raised $25 million in funding. The round was co-led by Plural and Hummingbird, with participation from Northzone, Foundamental, NP-Hard Ventures, Material Ventures, and prominent angel investors. The infusion of capital will enable Monumental to expand its team of hardware and software engineers, increase the deployment of its AI-powered autonomous construction robots across Europe, and enhance the range of construction tasks these robots can undertake.
Founded by serial entrepreneurs Salar al Khafaji and Sebastiaan Visser, former founders of Silk (acquired by Palantir in 2016), Monumental specializes in building construction robots. Its autonomous ground vehicles (AGVs) navigate rough building sites to assist contractors, initially focusing on bricklaying. With over half of European countries facing severe bricklayer shortages, Monumental’s robots offer a solution to address this pressing need. Equipped with advanced sensors, computer vision technology, and small cranes, each Monumental robot delivers precise and efficient bricklaying performance comparable to human workers. Operated by Monumental’s AI-powered software, Atrium, these robots can access tight spaces and work alongside humans, offering contractors a cost-effective and low-risk solution.
Monumental’s innovative approach not only pioneers a new category within construction but also addresses global industry challenges. Construction robots have the potential to boost productivity by 50-60%, with the global construction market projected to reach $15.5 trillion by 2030. However, existing solutions have often been costly, limited to off-site applications, or incompatible with human collaboration. In contrast, Monumental’s electric robots offer a sustainable, on-site solution that helps meet global construction demands while controlling project costs and timelines.
Following successful pilot tests in the Netherlands, Monumental completed its first large-scale facade project in 2023 and has since deployed its robots on various projects, including social housing initiatives. The company has forged partnerships with several top 25 general contractors, positioning itself as a key player in the construction industry’s transformation.
In a statement, Salar al Khafaji, co-founder, and CEO of Monumental, emphasized the company’s commitment to revolutionizing the construction industry. He stated, “At Monumental, we’re addressing the challenges of global labor shortages and rising supply chain costs by blending human expertise with robotic efficiency. Our robots are poised to transform not only the construction process but also the economics of the industry itself. We’re thrilled to have the support of our esteemed investors as we embark on this mission.”
Sten Tamkivi, Partner at Plural said: “Monumental’s approach is the perfect coming together of ambition and expertise, the rising power and impact of AI, and the shrinking cost and size of cutting-edge hardware to address an industry that’s at breaking point. Something significant has to happen if we’re to meet the housing demands of millions and reduce the economic and environmental burden of the built world and Monumental is going to be something significant.”
Firat Ileri, Partner at Hummingbird, said: “Europe’s infrastructure has been suffering from the shortage of skilled labourers for years and we’re excited to support Monumental and its innovative approach to solving this challenge. Monumental’s robots won’t just improve efficiencies on building sites, but the technology has the potential to enhance safety, optimise workflows and attract more talent into the field who are excited to learn new skills. We’re confident Monumental will deliver long-term benefits for the industry and society as a whole.”
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