Design-build firm Clayco has launched an investment arm called Treehouse Adventures to provide financing and operational infrastructure to startups, including those serving the AEC industry.
“We see a lot of opportunities in construction services,” says Michael Latiner, who joined Clayco last November as Treehouse’s President and Principal.
The goal is to create an environment where fledgling companies can concentrate on innovation and worry less about running a business. Clayco has dedicated the 14th floor of its headquarters in Chicago to provide space for the startups.
Treehouse’s first investment is Chicago-based Ventana Design-Build Systems, a five-month-old company that designs, supplies, and installs high-performance glass curtain wall façade systems. Latiner says Ventana’s President, Bob Trainor (center in photo, flanked by VPs Marty Trainor, left, and Ryan Murphy), was known in the business and had the ideas and processes, but needed Clayco’s operational backbone for support. “We were able to get them up and running in a week,” says Latiner.
Trainor says that Treehouse uses Clayco’s back-office services to provide marketing, IT, legal, and accounting support. It also provides an experienced senior management team and a network of relationships that startups like Ventana can leverage.
Treehouse doesn’t have a dedicated fund set aside for investment, but Latiner says he anticipates investing in two or three companies a year. A second deal has already been cut, with a technology startup whose expertise is making buildings smarter.
Read about more innovations from BD+C's 2014 Great Solutions Report.
Related Stories
| Feb 5, 2014
7 towers that define the 'skinny skyscraper' boom [slideshow]
Recent advancements in structural design, combined with the loosening of density and zoning requirements, has opened the door for the so-called "superslim skyscraper."
| Feb 4, 2014
World's fifth 'living building' certified at Smith College [slideshow]
The Bechtel Environmental Classroom utilizes solar power, composting toilets, and an energy recovery system, among other sustainable strategies, to meet the rigorous performance requirements of the Living Building Challenge.
| Feb 4, 2014
Must see: Student housing complex made with recycled shipping containers
Architect Christian Salvati's new structure is just the first step in bringing shipping container construction to New Haven, Conn.
| Feb 3, 2014
Gehry wins bid to design Berlin's tallest tower [slideshow]
The architect's "rotating cubes" scheme for the 300-unit residential tower beat out design submissions by eight other prominent firms, including Adjaye Associates and David Chipperfield Architects.
| Jan 31, 2014
Trump Hotel Collections announces luxury hotel for Rio de Janeiro
The 13-story, 171-guestroom Trump Rio will be Trump Hotel Collection’s first property in South America and the only luxury hotel in the neighborhood when it opens in 2016.
| Jan 31, 2014
LEGO, Google partner to develop 3D modeling tool for LEGO structures
The free tool, called Build, allows Chrome users to create virtual 3D structures using any shape and color in the LEGO catalog.
| Jan 31, 2014
Ultra-modern McDonald's restaurant voted one of world's best new buildings
This McDonald's, which is combined with a fuel station and recreation areas, was awarded the Best Commercial Building of the Year by architecture website ArchDaily.
| Jan 31, 2014
6 considerations for rehabbing student union buildings
Most colleges and universities feel pressure to offer the latest amenities in order to attract and retain the best and brightest students. While hauling in the bulldozer to create modern facilities is attractive in some regards, deciding to renovate can be just as effective and, in some cases, even preferable to new construction.
| Jan 30, 2014
Mayors of 10 metros unite to cut building-related climate pollution
Organizers say combined initiative could cut as much climate-change pollution as generated by 1 million cars every year, and lower energy bills by nearly $1 billion annually.
| Jan 30, 2014
See how architects at NBBJ are using computational design to calculate the best views on projects [video]
In an ideal world, every office employee would have a beautiful view from his or her desk. While no one can make that happen in real life, computational design can help architects maximize views from every angle.
