Buildo.Market: Construction Materials Marketplace Using VR & Catalogs

The introduction of virtual reality and catalogs has transformed customer preferences, shifting from hesitating to select materials without physical touch and feel to actively seeking a convenient platform for product exploration and selection.

Askar Poonthala - Founder & CEO, Buildo.Market

Buildo’s efforts in educating stakeholders and collaborators have successfully overcome the initial challenge of convincing customers about making informed decisions without physical product experiences, leading to quicker deal closures.
The idea behind Buildo.Market is to provide a one-stop solution for construction-related materials and services in India, driven by the changing customer purchasing behavior during the pandemic. Previously, people hesitated to select materials without the ability to physically touch and feel them. However, with the introduction of virtual reality and catalogs, customers now seek a convenient place to choose products.

Buildo aims to organize the highly unorganized construction industry by bringing manufacturers and vendors together. Initially, it was challenging to convince customers that informed decisions could be made without physical product experiences. However, Buildo’s efforts in educating stakeholders and collaborators have facilitated quicker deal closures.

With a wide range of construction, interior, and exterior products, Buildo offers a diverse portfolio without geographical restrictions. We cater to various locations, from supplying custom-made door handles from Jaipur to Kerala, to delivering Latrate Natural stone to Tirupur and designer tiles to Bangalore, among other parts of India.

As an early-stage startup, Buildo has achieved remarkable traction within the three quarters since its launch in September 2022.
Within six months of operations, we successfully served customers in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Lakshadweep. To expand our reach, we have established our first experience center in Bengaluru, targeting businesses in Tier 1 cities. Over the next two years, we plan to set up 15 experience centers across South India, aiming for a PAN India presence and global expansion in the future.

Two case studies highlight the synergy created by Buildo in completing construction projects on time and within budget. In a government project on Lakshadeep Island, we efficiently arranged AAC blocks, steel, and cement from the local market in Kerala, ensuring timely delivery for the civil works. Another case study demonstrates our ability to supply low-budget and high-quality FRP Manholes from Bangalore to Kozhikode.