BuiltWorlds Expands Global Innovators List to Recognize the Industry’s Growing Appetite for Change

Innovation in the construction industry is evolving rapidly, and BuiltWorlds’ fifth annual Global Innovators list is a testament to this transformation. The 2024 edition of the list has expanded from 50 to 75 companies, reflecting the industry’s increasing drive and capacity for adopting groundbreaking technologies and methodologies.

Celebrating a New Era of Innovation

Each year, BuiltWorlds’ Global Innovators list highlights companies making significant strides in advancing the buildings and infrastructure sectors. These organizations are recognized for pushing boundaries internally within their operations and externally across the global industry.

“The Global Innovator awards are an annual recognition of the companies considered by the industry to be driving change, both internally and externally, in the most impactful and widespread ways,” says Tyler Sewall, Senior Research Director for BuiltWorlds. “The intent of this award is to highlight those organizations on the leading and bleeding edges of innovation to inspire, educate, and inform the whole ecosystem.”

Companies featured on this prestigious list are described as “first movers,” “lighthouses in the fog,” and, at times, “canaries in the coal mine” for the global construction industry. Their work sets benchmarks for what’s possible in an era of rapid technological change.

Why 75? The Growth of Innovation in Construction

This year’s expanded list acknowledges the construction industry’s remarkable evolution over the last five years. According to Sewall, the role of innovation within organizations has grown significantly, with more companies establishing dedicated innovation teams and expanding their focus areas.

“Many innovation teams started out with a specific focus, generally either related to pilot programs or investments in early-stage technologies. In recent years, more mature innovation teams have sought to build more robust ‘open innovation’ programs that operate across business units and combine pilot programs, venture investments, corporate development, and business innovation efforts to broadly expand all business opportunities,” Sewall explains.

The decision to include 75 companies instead of 50 reflects this shift. The expanded list captures the industry’s increasing readiness and capacity to integrate innovation into its core processes, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and technological maturity.

Acknowledging Industry-Wide Progress

“The technological maturity of the construction industry has advanced significantly, and this progress is no accident,” Sewall notes. He attributes much of this advancement to substantial investments from leading companies in the world. These efforts have driven the development of new technologies and a broader acceptance of innovation across the industry.

As organizations continue to prioritize innovation, it becomes increasingly crucial to recognize these efforts and their transformative impact. The expanded Global Innovators list serves as both a celebration and a roadmap, highlighting the companies shaping the future of the built environment.

Explore the 2024 Global Innovators 75

This year’s Global Innovators list is available on the BuiltWorlds website. For an in-depth look at the companies leading the charge in construction technology and innovation, visit the 2024 Global Innovators list.

Source: BuiltWorlds, Chicago, IL, January 8, 2025