Struck raises €2M to cut construction red tape with AI across Europe

Amsterdam's Struck lands €2M to keep construction moving through permits and compliance

Amsterdam-based Struck has secured €2M to expand its AI platform that simplifies construction compliance and permitting across Europe. The goal is simple: cut hours of admin, reduce resubmissions, and keep projects on schedule.

Co-founders Max van Riel and Nikhil Nagaraj are building for a problem every developer, GC, and architect knows well-red tape that stalls timelines and burns budget.

Why this matters for developers and GCs

Permitting is fragmented across cities and countries. Requirements vary, formats vary, and small mistakes trigger weeks of delay. Teams waste time reformatting documents, cross-checking codes, and responding to incomplete notices.

Tools that pre-check submissions, standardize documentation, and track changes against local codes mean fewer surprises and faster approvals.

What platforms like Struck typically aim to solve

• Centralize requirements by municipality and building type so teams don't start from scratch on every project.
• Pre-validate drawings, specs, and forms to catch missing fields, outdated templates, and conflicting data.
• Maintain an audit trail for every revision-who changed what, when, and why-so approvals move faster.
• Keep teams aligned with reminders, checklists, and version control to avoid "wrong file, wrong portal" headaches.
• Localize for language and regional rules to support cross-border projects.

Expect focus on compliance accuracy, explainability, and clear references to code sources-key for trust with reviewers and inspectors.

Where the €2M likely goes

• Expanding coverage across more European cities and permit types.
• Hiring compliance specialists and engineers to improve rule libraries and document checks.
• Deepening integrations with common design and project tools to cut manual handling.
• Partnerships and pilots with municipalities and large contractors.

Practical wins you can expect on your next project

• Cleaner first submissions, fewer rejections, and shorter review cycles.
• Clear traceability across design revisions and resubmissions.
• Less admin overhead for PMs and design teams; quicker responses to authority queries.
• Better forecasting on approval timelines and start dates.

How to pilot AI for permitting without risking your schedule

• Pick one permit type (e.g., building or fire safety) and one municipality for a 60-90 day pilot.
• Digitize your current checklists and map them to local code references.
• Set up a "pre-check" gate: no submission leaves your team until it passes automated validations plus a human sign-off.
• Use a strict file naming/versioning convention; require exportable audit logs.
• Track three metrics: first-pass acceptance rate, resubmission count, and approval lead time.

Governance and risk checks (don't skip these)

• Data handling: confirm storage location, encryption, and retention policies.
• Accuracy: demand source citations for rules; verify updates when codes change.
• Human-in-the-loop: keep a responsible reviewer on every submission.
• Portability: ensure you can export all files, logs, and evidence if you change tools.
• Compliance: align internal use with the forthcoming EU AI Act.

Who benefits on your team

• Developers: more predictable go-live dates and financing milestones.
• General contractors: fewer idle days waiting on approvals.
• Design teams: less time reformatting and resubmitting paperwork.
• Owners and PMs: clearer audit trails for lenders and regulators.

Context: Europe's permitting picture

Rules vary by country and even by city. That makes standardization hard-but also where software can help. For a sense of activity, see Eurostat's overview of building permit trends across the EU here.

Bottom line

€2M gives Struck more runway to tackle a bottleneck that costs projects months. If you manage approvals in multiple jurisdictions, it's worth testing tools that pre-check submissions, keep evidence tight, and reduce back-and-forth with authorities.

If your team is building skills around AI for operations and compliance, explore curated training paths here: AI courses by job role.