In the heart of Toronto, a startup named Crewscope is making waves in the construction and industrial sectors, armed with a fresh infusion of over $1 million in pre-seed funding. This investment, led by Groundbreak Ventures and bolstered by a strategic partnership with EllisDon, one of Canada’s largest general contractors, is set to accelerate the development of Crewscope’s AI-driven field operations software. The platform is designed to empower hourly construction and industrial teams to work safer, faster, and more efficiently—addressing a critical need in an industry grappling with labor shortages and declining productivity.
Crewscope’s software is not just another productivity tool; it’s a purpose-built platform that aligns weekly goals with the critical path schedule, provides real-time progress updates, and recognizes performance. Built in the field and proven by leading developers, general contractors, mining operations, and civil contractors, the platform has already delivered measurable results. Customers report gains of up to 10% in labor productivity, improved forecast accuracy, and stronger team retention. But what truly sets Crewscope apart is its ability to make work more engaging. Workers say the program is motivating, enhances focus, and even makes work fun.
Brandon Milner, Chief Information Officer at EllisDon, highlights the transformative impact of Crewscope: “It’s not just about tracking progress; it’s about creating a culture of accountability and recognition that drives real results.” This sentiment underscores a broader shift in the industry, where the focus is moving beyond mere efficiency to fostering a sense of purpose and engagement among workers.
The construction industry is facing a perfect storm of challenges. North America is short of more than 500,000 skilled workers, and 40% of the current workforce is expected to retire by 2030. Meanwhile, construction labor productivity has been declining at an annual rate of 1% since 1970—a gap three times wider than in other industries. Crewscope’s platform is designed to tackle these challenges head-on, providing a scalable solution that empowers field teams to work smarter.
Claudia Krywiak, President and CEO of the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), emphasizes the importance of supporting innovative solutions like Crewscope: “Crewscope is addressing a key productivity challenge in construction with practical, scalable technology. At OCI, we’re proud to support innovative solutions that empower Ontario’s industrial workforce to work smarter, retain top talent, and stay competitive.”
The investment will fuel Crewscope’s expansion across North America, scale its predictive AI capabilities, and help clients reduce schedule risk and build high-performance field teams. Scott Kaplanis, Managing Partner at Groundbreak Ventures, highlights the unique approach of Crewscope: “The right incentives aren’t just motivational—they’re a powerful lever for team empowerment and operational change that can drastically improve outcomes.”
Calvin Benchimol, Co-Founder and CEO of Crewscope, sees this raise as just the beginning: “Construction and industrial teams are the backbone of our economy, but are underserved by simple technology. With the support of our partners, we’re building the tools to help crews deliver with purpose, clarity, and recognition.”
As the construction industry grapples with labor shortages and declining productivity, Crewscope’s innovative approach offers a beacon of hope. By combining on-site communication, goal-setting, and a gamified incentive system, the platform is redefining labor productivity in an industry bedeviled by cost overruns and schedule delays. The future of construction lies in empowering field teams with the right tools and incentives, and Crewscope is leading the charge.