Subham Kedia joins Hilti Ventures to back AI robotics and modular construction

United States, September 4, 2025

News Summary

Hilti Ventures has hired Subham Kedia as a senior associate to lead deal sourcing and support for startups in AI-powered robotics, next-generation construction software and modularisation. Kedia brings a mix of recent strategy and operations experience plus prior venture investment work focused on early-stage construction technology. The role bridges hardware and software disciplines, emphasizing automation, factory-built modular methods and AI-enabled scheduling and planning tools. The hire aligns with Hilti Ventures’ broader activity in contech, including participation in an $11 million Series A for a scheduling startup, and signals ongoing corporate interest in reducing delays and boosting on-site productivity.

Subham Kedia joins Hilti Ventures to back AI robotics, next‑gen software and modular construction

Key move: Subham Kedia has joined Hilti Ventures as a senior associate. The corporate venture capital arm of the US construction group Hilti will tap Kedia to work on investments in AI-powered robotics, next‑generation construction software and sustainable building methods such as modularisation. A photo of Subham Kedia is credited as courtesy of LinkedIn.

What the role covers

Kedia’s remit at Hilti Ventures includes sourcing and supporting startups focused on automation and data-driven tools for construction sites, plus solutions that speed delivery and improve sustainability through prefabrication and modular building systems. The position draws on Kedia’s recent stints in strategy, operations and investment roles across the construction technology ecosystem.

Background on Kedia

Kedia was briefly strategy and operations manager for a software and professional services company, NCR Voyix, before returning to venture investing. Prior to that, Kedia worked as a senior investment associate at Zacua Ventures, a venture capital firm that focuses on early-stage investments in construction technology startups. That experience gives Kedia familiarity with both operator and investor perspectives in contech.

Hilti Ventures and recent activity

Hilti Ventures invests in construction technology (contech) across hardware, software and services that affect productivity on site. In November, Hilti Ventures took part in an $11 million Series A round for a San Francisco-based construction scheduling and planning software provider, Outbuild. The round was led by Sway Ventures and included participation from Trimble Ventures, BGV and Zacua Ventures.

Outbuild’s software delivers real-time insights and project analytics through customizable dashboards and is positioned to help construction teams optimize scheduling, increase efficiency and reduce delays. The Series A investment is intended to drive a targeted 100% increase in commercial growth by fall 2025, support significant team expansion and advance an AI-inclusive product roadmap.

Sector context: recent funding and trends

Investment activity in contech has focused on AI solutions, automated estimating, scheduling and modular construction in recent funding cycles. A sample of notable rounds includes:

• Austrian modular builder Gropyus raised €100 million to expand a robotic smart factory and move forward on timber‑hybrid modular projects.
• Reality capture and data management firm Cintoo closed a €37 million Series B to accelerate its SaaS platform that converts large 3D scans into compact, high-resolution meshes.
• Document compliance firm Document Crunch raised $21.5 million to expand AI-driven contract review and field access tools.
• Construction operations and risk management firm BiltOn completed a $15 million Series B and added workforce verification and automated time tracking to its platform suite.
• Drawer AI raised $5 million in seed funding for advanced machine learning that automates electrical estimating and design tasks.

Investor-level data shows momentum: one corporate investor reported a 32% sequential increase in contech investments in a recent quarter, totaling $734 million across 85 deals in that period.

How this fits with Hilti’s wider strategy

Hilti has been broadening its position beyond tools into digital services and partnerships. Recent moves include partnerships with field management and asset-tracking software vendors and previous investments spanning concrete sensors, BIM robotics and construction software platforms. Hilti’s sales approach, which combines direct, face-to-face technical consulting with software integration support, aims to help subcontractor-heavy customer segments capture productivity gains from technology.

Hilti leaders have highlighted opportunities in project management and asset tracking—areas where software can reduce lost equipment, improve planning and boost workforce productivity. Integrations that connect tool tracking systems with telematics platforms are intended to streamline data transfer and reduce costly custom integrations for customers.

What Kedia’s hiring signals

The Kedia appointment signals continued corporate VC interest in startups that combine robotics, AI and scalable software for construction workflows, as well as a focus on sustainable, modular methods that can shorten timelines and reduce waste. With a portfolio that now includes scheduling and planning software, Hilti Ventures appears to be balancing hardware and software plays to address both jobsite productivity and broader project lifecycle challenges.

FAQ

Key features at a glance

Feature	Details
New hire	Subham Kedia, Senior Associate at Hilti Ventures
Focus areas	AI-powered robotics, next-generation construction software, modularisation
Recent portfolio activity	Participation in $11M Series A for Outbuild (construction scheduling software)
Sector trends	Rising investment in AI tools, estimating, scheduling software and modular construction
Market signal	Corporate and VC capital flowing into contech; increased focus on productivity and sustainability
Related capabilities	Tool tracking, telematics integrations, field management and consulting-led software implementation

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

Additional Resources

• Global Venturing: Subham Kedia joins Hilti Ventures
• Wikipedia: Hilti
• Equipment World: Hilti partners with tech companies (Fieldwire, Trackunit)
• Google Search: Hilti Ventures corporate venture construction tech
• Construction Dive: Contech funding round — Gropyus document crunch
• Google Scholar: construction technology modular construction
• PR Newswire: Outbuild secures $11 million in Series A
• Encyclopedia Britannica: modular construction
• CEMEX: Construction industry’s flagship startup competition kicks off its 9th edition
• Google News: construction technology startups funding