Saudi Arabia-based TruBuild, a rising star in the construction tech (contech) space, has secured $1 million in Seed funding to tackle one of the industry’s most expensive challenges — inefficiencies, delays, and cost overruns.
Founded in 2023 by Bisrat Degefa (CEO) and Dr. Sari Sabban (CTO), TruBuild is on a mission to make construction in Saudi Arabia smarter, faster, and more transparent using AI-powered solutions.
Backed by Big Names
The funding round was led by:
- ✅ Wa’ed Ventures (Saudi Aramco’s $500M VC arm)
- ✅ Dar Ventures (Dar’s venture capital division)
- ✅ Plus participation from Plug & Play Ventures, OQAL, Taz Investment, and seasoned angel investors including Simon Moon, former CEO of Atkins Middle East.
TruBuild was also part of Antler MENAP’s 2023 cohort in Riyadh, giving it a strong early foundation in the region’s startup ecosystem.
Solving a $1.6 Trillion Problem
The global construction industry loses over $1.6 trillion annually due to miscommunications, unclear project scopes, and unforeseen changes. TruBuild is fixing that by embedding AI directly into the tools used by:
- ✅ Contractors
- ✅ Consultants
- ✅ Project owners
Their platform:
- ✔️ Surfaces early-stage risks
- ✔️ Automates tedious documentation
- ✔️ Aligns stakeholders to avoid rework
- ✔️ Speeds up contract awards and change approvals by up to 80%
This means faster delivery, reduced costs, and fewer nasty surprises.
Supporting Saudi Vision 2030
TruBuild blends British construction expertise with Saudi-led AI innovation, aligning with Vision 2030’s goals to localize tech and improve infrastructure delivery across the Kingdom.
As Matt Jones from the Saudi British Joint Business Council puts it:
“TruBuild is combining the best of both worlds to support Saudi Arabia’s transformation.”
What Investors Are Saying
🗣️ Anas Algahtani, Wa’ed Ventures:
“We fully believe in TruBuild’s mission to eliminate costly variations and improve project efficiency.”
🗣️ Faysal Shair, Dar Ventures:
“The founding team has the potential to disrupt and redefine how the construction industry operates.”
Already Trusted by Developers
TruBuild is already working with major players like Osool Real Estate Company, integrating its solutions into active project pipelines.
“TruBuild plays a crucial role in our digital strategy,” said David Watkins, Chief Project Development Officer at Osool.
Meet the Founders
Bisrat Degefa, CEO
Former Global Director at Atkins and Gleeds, with $34B+ in managed projects across 15 years.
Dr. Sari Sabban, CTO
A two-time Fulbright Scholar, AI patent holder, and machine learning expert with nearly 20 years in the field.
What’s Next?
With this fresh funding, TruBuild plans to:
- ✅ Expand across Saudi Arabia
- ✅ Grow into international markets
- ✅ Hire top tech talent
- ✅ Further develop its AI platform
TruBuild isn’t just building tech, it’s laying the digital foundation for a smarter, more efficient future in construction.
