The construction industry generates an immense amount of waste, accounting for over a third of the total waste produced annually in the European Union.
This problem is even more pronounced in the U.S., where construction waste surpasses household waste by more than twofold each year.
Addressing the Root Cause
Sensorita aims to tackle the construction industry’s waste problem by addressing what its co-founder and CEO, Ulrikke Lien, identifies as the core issue: the lack of reliable data.
Lien explained to TechCrunch that many waste management companies handle numerous construction sites, often lacking knowledge about bin locations, quantities, and optimal collection times.
“From the very beginning, it was evident that the industry’s access to data is severely limited, and this remains true today,” Lien stated. “Compared to any other process industry, no one would accept this level of data, insight, or knowledge, and that’s the fundamental problem.”
Digital Twins for Waste Bin Management
The Oslo-based startup places sensors within construction waste bins and employs radar and machine learning technology to create digital twins for each bin. Waste management companies can then utilize Sensorita’s software to receive real-time updates on bin locations and fill levels, facilitating better planning for pickups.
“Currently, they rely on visual inspection to monitor fill levels, which is a major challenge if it consumes 45 minutes of your day,” Lien remarked. “It’s a low-margin industry, and waste management companies can leverage this information to streamline operations, cut costs, and save time.”
Genesis of the Idea
Lien conceived the idea for the company in 2020 while pursuing her engineering degree at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences.
Initially, she intended to develop a solution for the municipal (household) waste sector but realized that several startups were already targeting that market. Additionally, household waste is fragmented and publicly funded, making it difficult to gain traction.
Consequently, Sensorita shifted its focus to construction waste, where it has remained ever since. Early on, the company approached Ragn-Sells, a prominent construction firm, with their concept.
Ragn-Sells provided $10,000 in funding, enabling Sensorita to begin development and launch its first pilot in February 2022. The relationship with Ragn-Sells has since grown, and Sensorita now collaborates with three additional clients.
Gaining Traction and Addressing Industry Challenges
“We’ve been demonstrating traction from the outset,” Lien affirmed. “Whenever you speak to a new waste company, they’re grappling with the same information-related struggles.”
The company is emerging from stealth mode with $3.25 million in venture funding. The round was led by construction-focused VC Brick and Mortar Ventures, with participation from Telenor, a major telecommunications player. In total, the firm has raised $6 million, with approximately one-third coming from grants.
Meeting at Slush Conference
Lien crossed paths with Brick and Mortar Ventures partner Guillaume Bazouin in 2022 at Finland’s Slush conference. At the time, Bazouin was working with Leonard, a startup accelerator operated by Vinci, a Paris-based construction company.
Bazouin expressed to TechCrunch that upon joining Brick and Mortar Ventures nearly a year later, he knew he wanted the firm to invest in Sensorita.
“Waste management in construction is a massive problem,” Bazouin stated. “The reason it’s gaining attention is due to stringent regulations in Europe, which are pushing for effective waste tracking.”
Future Plans and Expansion
Lien revealed that Sensorita intends to utilize the funding to expand its team and continue investing in technological advancements.
The company enjoys strong traction in Norway and aims to expand beyond the region. They are developing their sensor technology to identify the types of materials present in garbage bins and aspire to create a virtual assistant for the waste management industry.
“It’s incredibly challenging to improve anything without understanding the current situation,” Lien emphasized. Sensorita aims to be the first step in addressing this challenge.