Builders Studio raises the first €1.5 million for the development of HR and PropTech startups
Builders Studio announces raising €1.5 million in their second closing. The startup studio combines innovative business ideas, funding, entrepreneurs, and operational support to efficiently develop scalable data-driven software companies that shape the future of work and living. The funding raised is part of a larger investment round in which Builders aims for a total amount of €6 million to develop eight companies and start international expansion.
The trend shows that work and living are merging, and scalable software solutions can realize a major impact. As a result, experienced entrepreneurs Michael van Lier and Sharon Klaver decided to set up Builders in 2020.
By developing innovative SaaS (Software-a-a-Service) solutions to improve workplaces and housing concepts, the startup studio takes on the mission of shaping the future of work and living across Europe. The founding of Builders was financed by successful earlier exits of Klaver and Van Lier, after which a second investment round was started to fund the expansion of the in-house team of experts and the development of the first two startups, Obeyo, and Influentials.
Today, Builders announces a successful raise of €1.5 million. In the upcoming year, the company aims to raise another €4.5 million to develop a total of eight high-impact software startups and expand to new cities in Europe.
Sharon Klaver, co-founder of Builders states:
In addition to the successful launches of Obeyo and Influentials and bringing in a great team of experts, we are getting ready to launch six more SaaS companies in the next couple of years. And before you know it, you might just find us in Spain.
From spark to champagne
Builders strive to develop two to three new software startups per year, working closely together with entrepreneurs who become equal co-founders. The innovative ideas for these SaaS companies originate from ongoing research into the market for emerging and future trends by the startup studio’s team.
After identifying promising trends, entrepreneurs (a CEO and CTO) with a vision that matches the project, are brought in to develop these trends into a successful and impactful software company along with the team from Builders. This process is subjected to an extensive validation process.
During the crucial first months, following the validation process, the entrepreneurs are provided with operational support by the in-house team of Builders, consisting of experts in (growth) marketing, product development, HR, finance, design, and technology, in
combination with a capital injection of €500,000.
Throughout the development process, the startup studio works via a unique stage-gate model aimed at acceleration and efficiency, minimizing risks, and allowing the software companies to enter the market within 12 to 18 months. In the following period, full-time employees are hired for the startup to take over from Builders’ core team, so that they can operate completely independently, and start scaling up.
Michael van Lier, co-founder of Builders states:
Entrepreneurship in the early phase is — in our opinion — the best thing there is and comes with its own unique challenges. In the past years, we have created a studio model with the right balance between entrepreneurship, funding, and support. This means that, together with ambitious entrepreneurs, we can quickly realize innovative solutions that add value to work and living. Drive, experience, and the right people around you — these are the keys to success.
The development of the first data-driven companies
Since its founding, Builders has used its unique method to develop two startups from ideas into impactful companies. First of all, Influentials; an end-to-end marketing platform used by entrepreneurs and marketing managers to simplify and automate their daily influencer marketing activities- from campaign management and recruitment to compensation. The second startup launched is Obeyo; the first all-in-one platform to facilitate the connection between owners, residents, and operators of shared living concepts, and help facilitate strong communities.
In the last months, Builders has been devoted to the development of a startup that can take goal-driven working in hybrid organizations to the next level. This software has already been deployed at a select group of companies and will be officially launched soon.
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Read Silicon Canal’s coverage of the funding round here.
