Nearly five years ago, Thibault Launay and his wife Simi set out to build their dream home in Portugal, where they now reside. However, their journey turned into a frustrating battle with a broken system. “Fourteen months of delays, 20% budget overruns, and managing over 10 subcontractors—it’s been incredibly stressful,” Thibault recalls. They bought land in December 2020, received their construction license in early 2022, and began building that same year. The plan was to finish by February 2024, but as of May 2025, their home remains incomplete.
This experience opened their eyes to a widespread problem. “If we’re struggling with this, so are millions of others,” Thibault realized. As a serial founder and entrepreneur, and with Simi working as a consultant and founder herself, they decided to take action. Together, they launched Litehaus—a groundbreaking construction tech company dedicated to transforming how homes are built in Portugal, the U.S., and across Europe.
Litehaus aims to make building homes more efficient, sustainable, and affordable. Describing itself as the “Uber of construction,” Litehaus seeks to streamline the fragmented home-building process by connecting landowners and property developers with architects, contractors, construction companies, and interior designers. The platform offers real-time tracking of costs, schedules, and project progress, simplifying communication and management for all involved.
Focusing primarily on modular construction, Litehaus promises to cut costs by up to 30%, build 40% faster, and enhance sustainability by reducing waste and emissions—up to 90% less waste and 50% lower CO2 emissions compared to traditional methods. This innovative approach addresses the urgent need for affordable housing solutions in both the U.S. and Europe.
Litehaus is not alone in the modular construction space. Competitors include US-based Ginosko Modular and Flummerfelt, as well as India’s Schnelle Prefabs. The company is actively expanding its network, including partnerships with U.S. construction firms, aiming to become Europe’s fastest-growing construction tech startup.
The European construction industry is ripe for innovation. While American investors pour billions into construction tech startups, Europe still has significant room to grow in this sector. Recognizing this opportunity, Litehaus recently secured €1.46 million in pre-seed funding, led by the UK’s Cornerstone VC, with participation from Portugal’s Explorer Fund, Luxembourg’s Claster Group, and U.S. angel investor Pascal Levy.
Rodney Appiah, a managing partner at Cornerstone VC, emphasized the importance of addressing Europe’s housing shortage: “The crisis is driving up living costs and making homeownership increasingly out of reach. Thibault and Simi’s vision to simplify homebuilding by increasing transparency, sustainability, and trust is truly compelling.”
Thibault describes the fundraising process as “intense,” noting that many of their early investors are longstanding contacts. Originally from France, Thibault founded an immersive gaming studio in Portugal and has invested in multiple startups through firms like 50 Partners and Origins. His background also includes experience in green tech and mining. Simi, born in Nigeria and raised in London, previously ran a contemporary art gallery and wellness brand, working as a strategist across law and Africa-focused initiatives.
“I’ve always wanted to create businesses that genuinely improve people’s lives,” Simi shared. “Providing affordable homes at scale isn’t just a business opportunity—it’s a meaningful way to create lasting impact.” She now oversees marketing, communication, and design at Litehaus, while Thibault focuses on fundraising, business development, and technology.
When it was time to raise funds, they moved swiftly, partnering with backers who shared their vision from the start. The new capital will help scale operations and expand their team in engineering, product development, marketing, and operations.
Ironically, Thibault and Simi built their company, raised over a million euros, and had two children before their own home—something they began working on over four years ago—was finally completed. “We’re moving in next month,” Thibault says, “after a 14-month delay. That’s the very problem we’re determined to solve for millions of others.”
