EC8 placed third in Soda’s recent Seed grant event. Soda caught up with Founder, Christopher Staal for all the details on his business.

Chris is the founder and managing director of the business, and after 15 years within the Energy sector, has decided to try his hand at a construction technology.

Asking the question “why can’t building materials other than the framing arrive like kitset furniture?” sparked EC8’s business, as he had a solution. Chris developed a process of digital capture, quick order and rapid factory cutting, producing pre-cut plaster boards to be delivered to building sites.

EC8 is designed to empower builders, to build houses faster, with less waste. EC8’s software enables builders to take a digital copy of their buildings and measurements, which then goes back to EC8’s factory, to begin the cutting process. The final products are then delivered to the building site, saving builders the time and hassle of doing this by hand.

While it is clear to see the efficiency EC8 brings to the building site, the company also encourages a more sustainable practice. Their software reduces the waste caused by current processes on building sites by 30%. The small amount of waste that is left, is then recycled.

The business was founded one year ago and they are slowly expanding their team, and with a developer and mechanical engineer now on board, they are looking to develop their technology even further. This is where the seed grant prize money will be used.

Soda’s seed grant allowed Chris to pitch his idea to our expert judging panel, gain feedback and created quality connections that are relevant to his business.

Our next round of seed grants will open January 2021, so if you have a new business or an innovative idea book a time with our Head of Startups - Rachel Adams.