Gravel, Indonesia’s premier construction technology company, has raised a total of US$14 million from prominent investors including New Enterprise Associates (NEA), Weili Dai (Co-Founder Marvell Technology Group), Lip-Bu Tan (Executive Chairman of Cadence Design System and Chairman of Walden International), SMDV, East Ventures, and other strategic backers. This substantial funding injection enhances Gravel’s position as a key player in the global construction technology sector.
Since its inception in 2019 as an app connecting customers with skilled construction workers, Gravel has experienced remarkable 45x revenue growth from 2020 to 2022.
Boasting a community of 1.7 million workers and strategic collaborations with architects, contractors, material suppliers, and government bodies promoting certified construction worker standards, Gravel has successfully executed over 6,000 projects across 20 provinces. Notable ventures include the LRT Jabodebek, Jakarta International Stadium, Pelni Hospital, and the Keong Mas IMAX Theatre, among others.
Gravel’s vision extends beyond connecting customers with construction workers. The company aims to use technology to efficiently assist anyone in building, renovating, and repairing living, working, and recreational spaces.
With four transformative features—Gravel Construction, Gravel Borongan, Gravel Maintenance, and Gravel Material—Gravel addresses industry demands for holistic services. These features, integrated with the Gravel-developed SalamChat instant messaging app, facilitate seamless communication and collaboration among stakeholders.
Dr. Nicholas Sutardja, co-founder and chairman of Gravel, emphasises the company’s mission to uplift the lives of Indonesian construction workers, stating, “It’s more than a business endeavor; it’s a mission with high social impact. Indonesia is just the beginning, and the impact it brings can span globally.”
Gravel’s leadership, including co-founder and co-CEO Georgi Ferdwindra Putra, has been instrumental in the company’s success. Putra highlights Gravel’s comprehensive approach to the construction process, empowering owners and contractors at every stage.
Utilising technology, Gravel’s smart matching technology, Personalised Job Feed, significantly reduces the time to connect the right workers with projects—from the conventional 5-14 days to as fast as one and a half minutes.
The company’s data platform enables real-time analysis of project activities, facilitating data-driven decision-making.
Looking ahead, Gravel plans to launch a predictive model for efficient project progress monitoring. Co-founder and co-CEO Officer Fredy Yanto envisions combining tech-driven platforms with a pool of tech talent to simplify the construction process, making it as seamless as an e-commerce platform checkout. Gravel’s strategic use of technology positions it at the forefront of innovation in Indonesia’s construction sector.
