Real-Time Platform Aims to Connect On-Site Teams and Office Staff, Boosting Efficiency Across Infrastructure Projects
The construction industry faces a staggering $280 billion problem, driven by costly rework, poor communication, and outdated data management between site teams and office staff. UK startup SymTerra is tackling this challenge head-on with a real-time communication platform designed for construction projects of all sizes.
Founded in 2021 by Sarah Crawley, a former senior project manager at Mace, and John Ryan, a chartered mechanical engineer, SymTerra leverages years of experience delivering major infrastructure projects such as rail and water networks. Crawley explained, “On-site teams have the most knowledge of what’s happening, yet it’s largely uncaptured. Poor communication from the site can have a detrimental impact on a project, and existing tech didn’t help. We wanted to create a tool that actually benefits on-site teams.”
The startup has now raised £1.1 million from industry leaders, including Fabienne Viala, former Chair and CEO of Bouygues UK, to accelerate product development and expand across £10 billion+ infrastructure projects. This funding follows a successful £1.4 million pre-seed round, after which the company became profitable.
Unlike platforms like Procore and Autodesk Construction Cloud, SymTerra focuses on communication, not administration. The mobile-first platform captures photos, videos, updates, and records in real-time, connecting the field with decision-makers in the office. Its architecture allows interoperability with existing systems like BIM, ERP, and CDEs, meaning teams can adopt the tool without changing workflows.
Crawley also highlighted SymTerra’s commitment to diversity: “The company was founded and designed by women with hands-on construction experience, something still rare in built environment technology.”
Looking ahead, SymTerra aims to become the go-to communication platform for construction, helping teams work smarter, faster, and more efficiently by making real-time data easily accessible.
