Strong by Form Raises €5.8M for Wood Construction Tech

Strong by Form, a deeptech firm revolutionizing timber's role in construction, has successfully closed a €5.8 million Series A funding round. The company, with operational hubs in Madrid, Santiago, and Stuttgart, is developing advanced wood-based structural components designed to rival traditional concrete and steel in performance and cost-effectiveness. This infusion of capital is set to accelerate the commercialization of its proprietary Woodflow technology.

The construction industry, a significant contributor to global carbon emissions through materials like concrete and steel, is ripe for disruption. While mass timber has emerged as a sustainable alternative, its adoption has been hampered by limitations in achieving the necessary strength, span capabilities, and economic viability for widespread use. Strong by Form aims to bridge this gap by creating structural elements that are not only environmentally advantageous but also commercially competitive. Their Woodflow-core slabs are engineered to directly challenge the approximately $120 billion global concrete slab market, a segment where Cross-Laminated Timber currently holds a much smaller share.

At the heart of Strong by Form's innovation is its Woodflow technology, a biomimetic approach inspired by the natural growth patterns of trees. Rather than relying on traditional wood processing or 3D printing, the company utilizes computational design to strategically place wood fibers, mimicking how trees reinforce areas under stress. This method allows for the creation of structural components that are significantly lighter than concrete and require substantially less timber – reportedly up to 75% fewer trees compared to conventional mass-timber products. This efficiency not only reduces material waste but also enhances the structural integrity of the final product.

The company's strategy involves collaborating with existing mass-timber manufacturers, offering them a pathway to access a much larger market segment. By integrating Strong by Form's technology, these partners can potentially improve their profit margins by as much as 50 percent, while simultaneously expanding their product offerings into applications previously dominated by concrete and steel. This partnership model is key to scaling the adoption of their innovative wood solutions across the construction sector.

Founded by a team with a blend of engineering, economics, and digital fabrication expertise, Strong by Form's vision extends beyond niche applications. CEO Andrés Mitnik, who previously worked in consulting and venture capital, emphasized the ambition to build a large-scale enterprise capable of making a significant impact. The company's focus on preserving the integrity of wood fibers, rather than breaking them down, is a core differentiator that enables the creation of high-performance structural elements. This approach positions Strong by Form as a key player in the evolving landscape of sustainable construction materials.