Litehaus Raises €1.46M Pre-Seed to Modernize Home Building
From Frustration to Innovation: The Birth of Litehaus
Thibault Launay and his wife Simi embarked on a journey to build their dream home in Portugal five years ago—only to encounter a broken system plagued by delays, budget overruns, and endless subcontractor management. Their experience, which stretched a projected February 2024 completion date to May 2025 (and counting), became the catalyst for Litehaus, a startup aiming to transform the home construction industry.
“We realized if we’re struggling with this, so are millions of others,” Thibault told TechCrunch.
The Uber of Construction: How Litehaus Works
Launched in early 2024, Litehaus connects landowners and developers with vetted construction professionals—from architects to interior designers—through a centralized platform. Key features include:
- Real-time project tracking
- Cost management tools
- Schedule coordination
- Modular construction focus (30% cheaper, 40% faster, 60% more sustainable)
“Our modular approach reduces waste by 90% and cuts CO2 emissions by 50% compared to traditional methods,” Thibault explained. The company currently operates in Europe with one U.S. construction partner as it eyes transatlantic expansion.
Investor Backing and Market Potential
Litehaus recently closed a €1.46 million pre-seed round co-led by:
- UK’s Cornerstone VC
- Portugal’s Explorer Fund
Additional participants included Luxembourg’s Claster Group and U.S. angel investor Pascal Levy of Long Journey Ventures.
“Europe faces a housing crisis where homeownership is becoming unattainable,” said Cornerstone VC’s Rodney Appiah. “Thibault and Simi’s vision to make building homes as simple as buying them addresses this critical need.”
The Founders’ Journey
Thibault Launay
- Serial entrepreneur and investor
- Founded immersive gaming studio in Portugal
- Former roles at 50 Partners, Origins, and green tech
Simi Launay
- Nigerian-born, London-raised entrepreneur
- Background in art galleries, wellness brands, and consulting
- Leads Litehaus marketing and design
“Building affordable homes at scale creates deep societal impact,” Simi emphasized. “This isn’t just business—it’s life-changing.”
What’s Next for Litehaus
The funding will accelerate:
- Team expansion (engineering, product, operations)
- European market growth
- Technology development
Ironically, as Litehaus prepares to solve construction inefficiencies for millions, the founders are finally moving into their long-delayed home next month—a poignant reminder of the problem they’re solving.
Image Credits: Courtesy of Thibault and Simi Launay
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