Construction is one of the world’s largest and most traditional industries – and one that urgently needs improvements in both efficiency and sustainability. It also lags behind many other sectors in digitalisation.
Four Aalto University students founded a startup, Complink, to tackle these challenges. By leveraging artificial intelligence and building information modeling (BIM) technology, the company aims to make construction not only more cost-effective but also more sustainable. With operations kicking off in Finland this year, Complink plans to expand across Europe within the next five years.
One of Complink’s founders, CEO and Master’s student at Aalto University School of Business, Jonathan Atwood, explains that the company has developed a software solution for construction firms that utilises both AI and architectural and engineering models to match projects with the most suitable products. This, in turn, helps optimize procurement and logistics on job sites.
‘For example, when a designer creates a ventilation duct, our system can compare it with similar products available on the market based on technical specifications such as diameter or material. The system then optimises the selection based on factors like cost, quality, CO2 emissions, logistics, and timing,’ Atwood explains.
This means construction firms can save significant amounts of time and money. Traditionally, the procurement process can take weeks or even months, but Complink’s software can perform the same analysis in minutes. According to Atwood, this could save companies millions of euros annually. In addition to cost-efficiency, the solution also enhances sustainability.
‘Our software optimises logistics, which is a major source of emissions in construction, making the procurement process more sustainable,’ says Niklas Paassilta, Complink’s Head of Sales and Marketing and also a Master’s student at Aalto University School of Business.
Complink also aims to optimise the timing in construction. In the future, the software will include a feature that synchronises product deliveries with on-site construction activities, helping to mitigate common industry challenges such as budget overruns and project delays.
‘Construction projects are often behind schedule and over budget. So, we save them a significant amount of time in that procurement phase,’ Atwood says.
This approach allows for flexibility in project priorities. Some projects aim to minimize costs, while others prioritize sustainability. Complink’s technology enables both perspectives to be integrated, ensuring that cost-effective solutions can also incorporate sustainability considerations.
The idea of leveraging AI and technology to enhance efficiency in construction emerged when Atwood and Paassilta conducted market analyses as part of their strategic management studies. Their shared passion for entrepreneurship and connections to the construction industry led them to collaborate with engineering student Mikko Suhonen and architecture student Aino Hukkanen at Aalto University’s Startup Sauna, forming the foundation for Complink.
The company combines expertise from four different fields: Suhonen has developed the software and AI algorithms, Hukkanen has focused on user interface design and company culture, while Atwood and Paassilta have worked on the business strategy and managed relationships with investors and clients.
‘Aalto’s entrepreneurial community played a crucial role in giving us the confidence to turn our idea into a startup,’ Paassilta says.
Last summer, Complink developed a prototype of its software, initially designed to help navigate the complex landscape of construction regulations. Since then, the focus has shifted toward creating a comprehensive software solution to enhance construction processes. The company has already begun discussions with several Finnish construction firms, and its first pilot project is scheduled to launch in spring 2025.
Complink’s goal is to scale quickly and expand internationally. In the initial phase, the company aims to secure construction firms in Finland as customers before expanding to the Nordic countries and the rest of Europe.
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