"A Munich-based startup wants to digitize the construction industry with artificial intelligence.
The question is: Can an excavation pit be excavated using artificial intelligence (AI)? Patrick Christ's answer is ambiguous: "Perhaps one day an excavation pit will actually be excavated using AI – but not by us." By "us," he means his startup Crafthunt, which began as a skilled labor placement platform for the construction industry. Now Crafthunt has gone a step further and offers an AI solution for the construction industry with "BauGPT."
Using the example of an excavation pit, Christ explains what his AI tool can and cannot do: "BauGPT doesn't control excavators, but rather explains to the excavator driver what they need to consider." According to Christ, this raises several questions: How deep can we dig? Does the excavation pit need to be secured? What should be considered with regard to the groundwater level? "BauGPT answers precisely these kinds of questions directly on-site in seconds – based on the respective state building regulations and "The specifications from the service specifications," he advertises the service.
The real leverage for the start-up with its three founders Christ, Anna Hocker, and Jonas Stamm lies in a larger context: The construction industry remains one of the least digitized sectors in Germany, says Christ. "Many companies we speak with are skipping entire technology generations—they are switching directly from local servers or paper folders to our AI solution BauGPT Pro." “They’re thus bypassing cloud technology,” reports the digitalization expert, who earned his doctorate in AI at the Center for Digital Technology and Management (CDTM), a joint research and teaching institute of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU).
For him, AI enables a completely new level of user-friendliness through natural text and voice input, which is gaining widespread acceptance, particularly in the construction industry. Suddenly, complex processes and regulations can be queried, automated, or documented in simple language – without any training effort or prior technical knowledge. “This makes AI a gateway to digitalization that truly resonates in everyday life,” Christ is convinced.
According to him, BauGPT is a specialized AI solution tailored to the German and Austrian construction industry. It is already being used by thousands of construction managers, project leaders, and tradespeople – in a free version for individuals and a pro version for companies. Company-specific files, templates, and processes can be integrated there to simplify workflows such as invoice review, automating the creation of bills of quantities or legally compliant communication.
"AI isn't a buzzword for us, but a key tool for achieving real productivity gains in an industry that has long been considered a digital laggard," emphasizes Christ. BauGPT has been available as a free, pocket-sized tool on construction sites for more than two years. Crafthunt debuted the paid version for companies at this year's Bauma trade fair in Munich. Christ reports an overwhelming response: "BauGPT Pro is being snatched out of our hands."
The startup deliberately focuses on construction and the skilled trades. These are key industries for Christ: "The construction industry contributes around twelve percent to the overall gross value added in Germany and thus contributes significantly to the overall value added – far more than is often assumed." Furthermore, Crafthunt has its roots in construction and, in Christ's words, "true domain expertise" thanks to experienced team members from the construction software industry and close collaboration with construction companies, planners, and skilled trades businesses. He believes that a deep understanding of the industry is crucial for AI solutions to not only function technologically but also create real added value in everyday work.
The startup has already deployed AI solutions in its recruitment platform, for example, for translating applications from abroad into over 20 languages, for automatic image recognition of resumes, and for optimizing the online marketing of job openings both at home and abroad. According to Christ, around 70,000 qualified professionals – from electricians and installers to construction managers, estimators and architects – are currently registered. Based on feedback from users and companies, he estimates that around 10 percent have found new employment through the platform. On the website, Crafthunt advertises companies such as Strabag and Geiger that collaborate with the platform.
Crafthunt currently has 20 employees, nine of whom are full-time. The three founders plan to significantly expand the core team over the next 12 months. "We are also evaluating the establishment of a small team in the US to actively drive our expansion," Christ adds. Crafthunt currently has seed capital of three million euros. "Our resources will last for a long time under conservative planning," Christ says. However, the tested market entry in the US and the significantly faster growth than expected are now leading to considerations of raising further capital.
The most important investor is the venture capital firm UVC Partners, which is affiliated with the Munich startup center UnternehmerTUM. Interhyp founder Marcus Wolsdorf has also invested. The startup, founded in 2022, will operate under a new name: "We have decided to rename Crafthunt to BauGPT," founder Anna Hocker announced on Tuesday. "Nowadays, almost everything revolves around BauGPT."” [1]
1. Wenn KI am Haus mitbaut. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung; Frankfurt. 27 Aug 2025: 19. Von Markus Frühauf, München
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