In a historic first, Standards Australia steps into the startup arena, investing in CalcTree’s mission to transform how engineers manage calculations.
Standards Australia Makes First Startup Investment in CalcTree
In a landmark move, Standards Australia has made its first-ever startup investment, contributing significantly to a $3.8 million pre-seed funding round for engineering SaaS startup CalcTree. The 101-year-old institution, through its commercial investment arm Kungari, has taken a strategic leap into the innovation space to support digital transformation in engineering.
The round also included participation from early-stage VC Antler, Suffolk Technologies, Berlin-based Foundamental, and individuals from Autodesk and Bentley. Notably, Standards Australia accounted for close to one-third of the total raise, underlining its commitment to advancing the engineering industry through technology.
CalcTree: A Modern Fix for Engineering Calculation Pain Points
Founded in 2021 by former engineers and product leaders from Archistar, Arup, and Plaxis, CalcTree aims to solve a persistent bottleneck in engineering workflows: the management of complex calculations. Co-founders Tim Rawling, Mahan Lamei, and Onur Ekinci built the platform to enable seamless collaboration and automation for engineering consultancies and infrastructure firms.
“Spreadsheets have their place, but they don’t support modern needs like data integration or real-time collaboration,” said CalcTree CEO Onur Ekinci. “CalcTree fills that gap by giving engineers a dedicated space to automate and track their calculations — improving efficiency, accuracy, and team communication.”
Industry data shows that calculation errors can account for up to 7% of project contract value. By reducing reliance on manual processes and siloed tools, CalcTree’s platform aims to cut costly rework and delays, providing traceable, reusable workflows tailored for technical teams.
Why Standards Australia Is Investing Now
This investment signals a new chapter for Standards Australia, long regarded as a foundational force in defining and maintaining engineering and construction standards. According to Adam Stingemore, the organisation’s Chief Development Officer, the decision to back CalcTree aligns with a broader strategy to modernise the practical application of standards in the field.
“Standards Australia is not just about creating documents — we’re about enabling smarter implementation,” said Stingemore. “Our investment in CalcTree highlights our belief in tools that embed standards into everyday engineering workflows and drive meaningful innovation.”
Although now a shareholder, Standards Australia remains a strategic investor with no operational influence over CalcTree. Ekinci confirmed the partnership preserves the startup’s independence, with future collaborations based solely on mutual value and shared goals.
Careful Growth Backed by Credibility
Despite users in over 110 countries, CalcTree is taking a measured approach to growth, focusing on pilot programs with major firms like Arup, Jacobs, and Aurecon to refine its product.
“The engineering world is cautious — trust is earned,” said CEO Onur Ekinci. “Standards Australia’s backing gives us instant credibility.”
The funding is being used to strengthen CalcTree’s no/low-code platform, streamline onboarding, and enhance integration with existing tools. Unlike traditional software, it’s built for bottom-up adoption.
Looking Ahead: Standards Australia and CalcTree Target Industry-Wide Transformation
While construction and infrastructure are the immediate focus, CalcTree’s long-term ambitions include sectors such as automotive, utilities, and resources — industries where engineering calculations are mission-critical.
“Standards Australia has opened the door to a future where standards aren’t just reference documents, but living parts of digital workflows,” Ekinci said. “Together, we’re pushing the engineering sector toward a smarter, more connected way of working.”
