Get All Access for $5/mo

Construction Startup Tvasta Raises Funding To Build 3D Printed Homes Non-profit organization Habitat for Humanity International has invested in startup Tvasta Manufacturing Solutions Ltd to boost the supply of affordable 3D printed homes in India

By Prabhjeet Bhatla

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Tvasta

Habitat for Humanity International through its Shelter Venture Fund recently invested INR 30 million ($411,000) in Tvasta Manufacturing Solutions Ltd. to increase the production of affordable 3D printed homes in India. Hestia Partners and Capnetic Investments joined Habitat in investing in the construction technology startup.

Habitat's investment in Tvasta builds on a multi-year collaboration, beginning when the company was one of seven startups to participate in Habitat's ShelterTech India accelerator program in 2018. ShelterTech accelerators bridge the gap between housing innovation and real-world impact.

3D printed construction technology offers the potential for faster, more cost-efficient, and resilient housing in high-income countries as well as emerging markets. Construction of Tvasta's first 3D printed home, completed in late-2020, generated less waste and was completed faster than traditional methods.

"The pandemic has only exacerbated the affordable housing crisis, with rising demand as well as material costs. Through the Shelter Venture Fund, Habitat is helping ensure that the most promising, disruptive technologies achieve scale, expanding affordable housing markets to reach more low-income families in need of reliable housing," said Patrick Kelley, vice president, Habitat's Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter.

According to UN-Habitat, an estimated 1.6 billion people lack adequate housing today, with global demand for affordable housing growing by 4000 units every hour. In order to reach more low-income households, Tvasta is working with the Government of India through its Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Housing for All) initiative, which aims to build 20 million urban and rural homes for low-income families by 2022.

Habitat's Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter launched the Shelter Venture Fund in 2017 to invest in shelter entrepreneurs operating in the pioneer gap – where early-stage companies are often considered too new or too risky for conventional venture capital firms. The intent is to accelerate those entrepreneurs' pathways to reaching low-income families with products and services that improve their housing conditions.

To date, the Shelter Venture Fund has invested a total of $3 million in 11 startups with disruptive and innovative products and services.

Prabhjeet Bhatla

Former Staff

News and Trends

Ratan Tata Receives 23000% Return From Upstox Investment

Discount stock broker platform Upstox recently said that it has completed a buyback of 5 per cent of former Tata chairman Ratan Tata's holdings in the company.

Business News

Melinda French Gates Announces Open Call for $250 Million Fund. Here's Who Can Apply.

The fund is part of French Gates's $1 billion philanthropic plan.

News and Trends

Rata Tata Turns 86: Some Lesser-Known Facts, Impactful Investments in Startups by Him

Born to Naval Tata and Sooni Tata, the Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons and Tata Trusts Ratan Tata is a skilled pilot and the first Indian to pilot the F-16 Falcon in 2007. Besides this, he is prolific investor in various startups too.

Business Plans

How to Master Your Strategic Planning As You Prepare Your Business for 2025

Here's how to best think about strategic planning, communication rhythms and maintaining alignment for consistent growth as you plan for next year.

Branding

You Don't Need Thousands to Turn Your Business Idea Into Reality — Here's How I Did It on a College-Kid Budget

From creating the packaging designs online by myself to learning how to take professional product photos, I found ways to launch a company on a low budget. Here's how you can do it, too.