Germany’s Nemetschek Group, whose brands include SaaS-based AEC project platform Bluebeam, is throwing its weight behind the digital twin concept with a view to paving innovation for its architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry customers.
Tanja Kufner, head of startups and venture investments at Nemetschek, said the group was sponsoring the built environment track of a start-up initiative at the Technical University of Munich (TUM).
“Digital twins are opening entirely new possibilities for the sustainable and more efficient planning, construction and operation of buildings and infrastructure,” Kufner said.
“The innovative potential of start-ups in the area of digital twins is massive and critical for the development of the construction industry.”
According to The Nemetschek Group’s announcement, the Xpreneurs initiative at the UnternehmerTUM centre for innovation and business creation is a specialised three-month tech incubator aimed at driving innovation in construction, particularly in the area of digital-twin technology.
The first batch of projects would begin in March, the company said, with computer vision and AI also of interest in the programme. Participating start-ups were selected in February 2023.
“The new Built Environment Track supports the young entrepreneurs to validate their business model, win first customers and secure their initial investment,” it said.
“The Nemetschek Group is deeply rooted in the academic environment, working closely with educational institutes like TUM.”
The Group is also gearing up to present 10 brands at global construction industry trade fair BAU 17-22 April at Messe München, Germany. Some 250,000 visitors and over 2,000 exhibitors from almost 50 countries are expected at the event.
Nemetschek brands ALLPLAN, Bluebeam, CREM Solutions, dRofus, FRILO, Graphisoft, Nevaris, SCIA, Solibri and Vectorworks will showcase how digital tech is helping transform the industry, the company said.
For example, improved collaboration can boost efficiencies across construction projects and reduce the ecological and energy footprints of buildings, according to Nemetschek.
Yves Padrines, chief executive at Nemetschek, suggested industry challenges including resource use, waste and affordability could be addressed with digitisation.
“We do not think in terms of products but in terms of workflows along the entire value chain. More and more customers want open, combinable, and scalable solutions,” Padrines said.
( Photo by Sam Moghadam Khamseh on Unsplash )
