Simon Schaefer at the Digital Built Accelerator Bootcamp
The Role of Innovation in Transforming Construction
Entrepreneur and European innovation ecosystem specialist Simon Schaefer took part as a guest speaker at the Digital Built Accelerator bootcamp, a program promoted by Técnico Venture Lab, held at the Oeiras campus of Instituto Superior Técnico on May 6th and 7th.
Recognized for his work at the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship, and urban innovation, Simon Schaefer shared with participants his international experience in building innovation hubs and startup spaces, including projects such as Factory Berlin and Unicorn Factory Lisboa.
During the session, the entrepreneur addressed the challenges of innovation in the real estate and construction sectors, emphasizing the need to bring academia, technology, and business closer together in order to accelerate the industry’s transformation.
“The construction sector is old. It needs these new inputs,” he stated, arguing that programs like the Digital Built Accelerator play a fundamental role in creating connections between startups, engineering, and academic research.
Throughout his talk, Simon Schaefer also highlighted the growing impact of technology in the construction sector, particularly through process digitalization, 3D planning, and the use of tools such as BIM (Building Information Modeling). According to the specialist, the democratization of these technologies could lower entry barriers and drive a new wave of innovation in the industry.
“The construction world is one of the last major sectors yet to undergo technological transformation. We need more innovation to address the challenges of sustainability, affordable housing, and urban planning,” he noted.
The session also included a reflection on Europe’s role in creating favorable conditions for the growth of technology startups, a topic on which Simon Schaefer has been actively involved as president of Allied for Startups and co-founder of the EU Inc. initiative, focused on building a more integrated European framework for startups and investment.
As part of his participation in the bootcamp, Simon Schaefer also visited the Oeiras campus of Instituto Superior Técnico, where he had the opportunity to engage with the institution’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
The Digital Built Accelerator is a program by Técnico Venture Lab, funded by Portugal’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) under the DIH Digital Built initiative. The program is dedicated to supporting startups developing innovative solutions for the construction sector, with a focus on ConstructTech, ConTech, and New Materials. It promotes collaboration between startups, industry, and academia, driving technological solutions aimed at sustainability, efficiency, and the digital transformation of construction.
