FK Group, a construction company and one of the UK’s leading specialists in full building envelopes – the primary thermal control layer between the inside of the house and the exterior – has launched FK Accelerate, a global startup search to drive innovation in the construction sector. Run in partnership with corporate innovation specialist L Marks, FK Accelerate will identify technologies with the potential to revolutionise construction processes and systems.
Interested startups can learn more about FK Accelerate and submit their applications on programme’s website. Applications are open until 23:59:59 on Sunday 13th October 2019.
The FK Group, which will turn 40 in 2019, also specialises in roofing, cladding, glazing and maintenance across many sectors. The firm has completed a number of high profile projects, ranging from Bupa’s headquarters to stadium expansions for Manchester City and Liverpool football clubs.
Reflecting and reinforcing the firm’s commitment to innovation, FK Accelerate’s mission is to champion new thinking, and provide opportunities to explore and refine new ideas. Successful startups will benefit from the experience and expertise of FK Group’s senior team as they run trials and explore opportunities for future partnerships.
Startups selected for FK Accelerate will gain access to:
- Mentorship from senior leaders at FK Group and subject-matter experts
- Development opportunities and product validation
- Support necessary to develop offsite prototype trials
- Opportunities to launch live trials with FK Group
Focused on identifying transformative technologies with applications for the business and the construction sector, the FK Group has identified the following key innovation areas:
Systems Optimisation: The Group is looking for technological solutions that enhance its service offering to its clients by improving its internal process and optimising its current systems. In particular, they are interested in startups that can provide a seamless solution for extracting CAD designs and integrating with other models and systems. They also want to see if there are solutions that can take fabrication information and easily link them with estimating software to enable accurate predictive estimation.
Drones & Virtual Inspections: Currently, FK utilises man-power to complete inspections on an installed product as well as to inspect the structure of a building prior to or during installation. FK is looking for startups that can help make this a virtual process. This could include VTOL hardware for building inspection, machine learning and advanced image analytics solutions for QA testing of installed products, a platform to analyse and monitor inspection results or AR/VR solutions.
Robotics: Roofing is a large part of the operational delivery of FK’s business for clients. Currently, the roofing secure process is done entirely by hand, including fixing, seaming and checking the roof materials during installation. The Group is looking for robotic tools and hardware which can standardise roof fixings, magnetic-based installation robots which can screw or drill into the roof to secure it to the structure, or robotics systems that can integrate with the KalZip machine to enhance its offering and performance.
Tracking & Parts: Quality is at the heart of everything FK does, from the materials they use to the high-calibre service and delivery they provide to their clients. As such, they are looking for tools and systems that can provide transparency on our material’s entire journey from the point of origin to onsite. This can include solutions that offer advanced scanning technology for on-site material, track and trace solutions or geo-fencing capabilities. They are also interested in hearing from startups who have digital twin capabilities that will allow them to ‘twin’ our assets which can enhance our operations and delivery staff’s capabilities.
Wildcard: Do you know something FK Groug don’t? Do you have a technology that you think could improve or transform FK’s business? That’s what the wildcard is all about. What will the future of glazing, cladding and roofing look like in 10 years? What other technologies might be relevant for either the operational front-end or the office back-end of the FK business? Surprise them!
“Innovation is key to the future of FK,” said Francis Keenan, CEO of FK Group. “We look forward to working with the next generation of game changers and developing new industry leading ideas.”
“We are delighted to have partnered with the FK Group in delivering FK Accelerate,” said L Marks CEO Daniel Saunders. “FK have had hugely successful year to date and I am looking forward to finding dynamic, early stage companies who can disrupt the sector and help strengthen FK’s capabilities.”
Interested in collaborating with the FK Group? Apply now until 23:59:59 on Sunday 13th October 2019!
