AI-Based Contech Startup TruBuild Raises $1M to Expand in KSA and Beyond

Saudi Arabia-based contech firm TruBuild has secured $1 million in Seed funding to advance product development and support regional and international growth.

Funding led by Wa’ed Ventures and Dar Ventures

TruBuild, a construction technology startup based in Saudi Arabia, has closed a $1 million Seed round led by Wa’ed Ventures, the venture capital arm of Saudi Aramco, and Dar Ventures, affiliated with Dar Al-Handasah. The round also saw participation from Plug & Play Ventures, OQAL, Taz Investment, and several angel investors, including Simon Moon, former CEO of Atkins Middle East. The startup had previously gained early support from Antler MENAP during its 2023 Riyadh cohort.

Founded in 2023 by Bisrat Degefa and Dr. Sari Sabban, TruBuild aims to solve long-standing inefficiencies in construction by embedding AI into day-to-day project workflows. The company’s platform is designed to identify risks early, streamline documentation, and align stakeholders to reduce rework and prevent delays.

Addressing cost and communication issues in construction

The construction sector faces losses exceeding $1.6 trillion annually due to project changes, unclear scopes, and lack of traceability across teams. TruBuild addresses these issues by integrating its platform with tools already used by contractors, consultants, and developers. By automating routine administrative tasks and surfacing potential issues before they escalate, the solution facilitates faster decision-making in tender evaluations, contract processes, and change approvals.

Supporting Vision 2030 with localized innovation

The company’s strategic direction aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, particularly its goals for innovation and efficiency in public and private infrastructure. TruBuild’s model combines British construction expertise with Saudi-based AI development, aiming to bring structure and clarity to high-value infrastructure projects.

“TruBuild is combining the best of British construction expertise with cutting-edge Saudi AI R&D to support the realisation of the Saudi Vision 2030 and beyond,” said Matt Jones, of the Saudi British Joint Business Council.

Strong investor confidence in TruBuild’s mission

Investor sentiment reflects confidence in both the product and the founding team. “We fully believe in TruBuild’s mission to eliminate costly project changes and variations, in line with our mission to invest in impactful businesses in the construction sector,” said Anas Algahtani of Wa’ed Ventures.
Faysal Shair of Dar Ventures added, “TruBuild’s mission and founding team have the potential to disrupt the construction industry and redefine the status quo.”

Deployed in live projects across Saudi Arabia

TruBuild is already being implemented in projects managed by leading developers, including Osool Real Estate Company. According to David Watkins, Chief Project Development Officer at Osool, “TruBuild’s approach is an integral part of our digital strategy, allowing Osool to procure and develop projects more efficiently.”

Led by experienced founders

CEO Bisrat Degefa, formerly a Global Director at Atkins and Gleeds, brings over 15 years of experience managing complex projects worth more than $34 billion. CTO Dr. Sari Sabban, a two-time Fulbright Scholar and patent holder, has spent nearly two decades in machine learning and research.

Speaking on the company’s broader vision, Degefa stated: “We’re not here to disrupt for the sake of it. We’re here to make everyday decisions easier through objective data and to help teams avoid the painful surprises they’ve faced for decades.”

The latest funding will be directed toward product enhancements, team expansion, and growth across Saudi Arabia and international markets, as TruBuild continues to evolve its AI-driven platform for modern construction delivery.