Munich Startup: What does Emidat do? What problem are you solving?
Lisa Oberaigner, CEO and Co-Founder of Emidat: We are building the world’s leading environmental operating system (eOS) for the construction industry. We start by developing an AI-powered solution for generating environmental data for building material manufacturers. This data helps manufacturers create life cycle assessments and EPDs (Environmental Product Declarations) for their products – a process that is currently very time-consuming and costly. We manage to reduce the time required to create an EPD from about twelve months to one week and cut costs from around 15,000 euros to just a few hundred euros per product.
In the long term, we want to become the leading provider of climate intelligence in the construction industry with Emidat. We collect environmental data directly where it is generated – from building material manufacturers – and make it available throughout the entire value chain. Through our solution, we promote transparency and sustainability in the industry and thus contribute significantly to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Munich Startup: But that already exists!
Lisa Oberaigner: It’s true that there are already tools, but we are the first to develop a manufacturer- and product-independent tool for creating verified environmental data. A key advantage of our technology is that we can skip the final, costly and lengthy verification step – our tool is already fully verified.
We automate data collection and processing and reduce manual inputs using our AI model, which was trained on over 130,000 existing EPDs. This way we make the entire process faster, more efficient and more cost-effective.
The construction industry is one of the largest drivers of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide
Munich Startup: What is your founding story?
Lisa Oberaigner: We both knew we wanted to found something in the construction industry. Because this industrial sector is one of the largest drivers of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.
Florian, who comes from a family with 100 years of experience in construction, and I, who had already examined sustainability in the construction industry during my master’s studies, knew we wanted to change something in this industry.
At first, we wanted to pass on existing data to project developers and architects to support them in making more sustainable decisions. However, at the BAU trade fair and in conversations with stakeholders, we realized that the real problem was not the use of data, but its collection. We saw great potential here, especially given the upcoming Construction Products Regulation, which will gradually make the provision of this data mandatory.
Through more than 400 interviews with experts from the construction industry and other relevant stakeholders, we were able to validate our hypotheses and further sharpen our business model.
Challenge: team building
Munich Startup: What have been your biggest challenges so far?
Lisa Oberaigner: One of our biggest challenges was building a strong and competent team. In addition, we had to reconcile the multitude of requirements and wishes from our customers with the need to develop a scalable and future-proof product.
Munich Startup: Where do you want to be in one year, where in five years?
Lisa Oberaigner: In one year, we want to be known as an established name with all building material manufacturers in Europe when it comes to creating environmental data. Emidat should be the preferred solution for efficiently generating EPDs that promote transparency and sustainability in the industry.
In five years, we want to be present and known throughout the entire construction industry and enable the database for sustainable building so that Europe can achieve its sustainability goals. Following the motto: “What you don’t measure, you can’t improve”.
Munich Startup: How have you experienced Munich as a startup location so far?
Lisa Oberaigner: Very positively! Because through networks like UnternehmerTUM or CDTM there is a lot of exchange and networking opportunities with other startups. Many of the founders know each other and are always helpful when questions arise.
We were based at Munich Urban Colab, which is a great startup hub right in the middle of the city. This is where many innovative companies regularly meet, and exciting events take place that promote exchange.
Emidat: A business model with impact
Munich Startup: Hidden champion or shooting star?
Lisa Oberaigner: Currently we see ourselves more as a hidden champion. The construction industry may seem unsexy to many, but as one of the largest causes of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, it offers enormous potential for innovation and sustainability. Moreover, it is a huge industry that is still largely undigitalized. With Emidat, we have developed a business model that can have enormous impact in the long term.
