- SAALG Geomechanics’ solution would save more than 10% of the costs on civil work projects and up to 15% of the cost for foundations in large buildings with underground levels.
- Its Daarwin software enables real-time control of civil work projects, increasing safety by anticipating challenges or changes during the construction process.
BARCELONA, SPAIN. FEBRUARY 21, 2018 – CEMEX Ventures announced today its investment in SAALG Geomechanics, a Spain-based engineering startup that has developed Daarwin, a software which provides real-time analysis of the behavior of the ground during civil works and large building projects.
This is the third investment for CEMEX Ventures, CEMEX’s open innovation and venture capital unit, since its launch less than a year ago. CEMEX Ventures adds its investment to those of Mobile World Capital and Business Angels, current SAALG investors.
Based in Barcelona, Spain, SAALG Geomechanics was founded by geotechnical engineers Cristian de Santos and Ignasi Aliguer. The startup developed software called Daarwin, which provides real-time analysis of the behavior of the ground during civil work and large building projects. Through state-of-the-art Machine Learning and Real Time Data Analysis technology, it enables real-time control of civil work projects, increasing safety by anticipating potential catastrophes or substantial changes due to ground movement that are imperceptible at the beginning of the work.
The solution represents a fundamental step forward for the construction sector. Currently, ground analysis is performed manually during work execution, so it can prove inaccurate and limit decision-making. Daarwin software significantly increases the analytical capacity and reliability of terrain response predictions. This reduces the current uncertainty at the beginning of a project and, therefore, increases safety, optimizes the construction process, and reduces over-dimensioning material resources.
SAALG estimates savings in civil works of more than 10% of the project cost, and in large buildings with underground levels, savings can reach up to 15% of the foundation’s cost.
CEMEX Venture’s investment will enable SAALG to launch the first commercial version of the software, which is currently available as a project case version. With this software evolution, different agents of the construction process’ value chain will have access to the platform and enjoy the ability to work collaboratively in real-time. Needed modifications to the work can be made in an agile way, optimizing human, technical, and economic resources.
Additionally, CEMEX Ventures will provide SAALG with a wide network of contacts, driving the startup’s execution of new projects in international markets. Correspondingly, CEMEX Ventures remains at the forefront of the application of new innovation and collaboration trends with startups in the construction ecosystem.
