CRH Ventures accelerates water infrastructure innovation with VODA.ai investment

Rhea-AI Summary

CRH Ventures, CRH's venture capital arm, has led a Series A investment in VODA.ai, a Boston-based company specializing in AI-driven predictive analytics for water infrastructure management. VODA.ai's platform has analyzed over 1 million miles of pipe across 26 U.S. states and 6 countries, helping utilities assess pipe conditions and risks. The investment follows a commercial partnership with Oldcastle Infrastructure, CRH's water infrastructure business in North America. The funding will support VODA.ai's growth, R&D capabilities, and global expansion in serving municipal utilities and private water operators. The company's technology enables utilities to prioritize infrastructure protection and optimize resource allocation for delivering safe, reliable water services.

Positive

• Strategic expansion into smart water management solutions through AI technology investment
• Commercial partnership with Oldcastle Infrastructure enhances market access and collaboration
• Platform has proven track record analyzing over 1 million miles of pipe across multiple countries
• Investment strengthens CRH's position in the growing water infrastructure technology sector

Negative

• None.

Insights

Infrastructure Technology Specialist

CRH's strategic investment in VODA.ai enhances its water infrastructure capabilities with AI-driven predictive analytics for aging pipe systems.

CRH Ventures' Series A investment in VODA.ai represents a significant strategic enhancement to CRH's water infrastructure portfolio. VODA.ai's AI-driven analytics platform has demonstrated substantial market validation, having analyzed over one million miles of pipe across 26 U.S. states and six countries. This technology enables utilities to proactively assess pipe conditions and prioritize maintenance before costly failures occur.

The investment creates natural synergies with Oldcastle Infrastructure, CRH's North American water infrastructure business, following their recently announced commercial partnership. This dual approach—financial investment plus commercial integration—allows CRH to both participate in VODA.ai's growth and enhance its own product offerings.

For CRH, this move represents an evolution beyond traditional building materials into higher-value technology solutions that address critical infrastructure challenges. The water infrastructure maintenance market presents substantial growth opportunities, as municipalities worldwide grapple with aging systems and limited maintenance budgets. By integrating AI-driven decision support tools with its existing infrastructure products, CRH positions itself as a more comprehensive solutions provider rather than merely a materials supplier.

This investment signals CRH's commitment to digital transformation in infrastructure management—an emerging trend among forward-thinking infrastructure companies seeking to differentiate themselves in increasingly competitive markets. The focus on water infrastructure is particularly strategic given the critical need for maintenance optimization in this sector and increasing public funding directed toward water system improvements.

NEW YORK, June 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CRH Ventures, the venture capital unit of CRH, has led a Series A investment in VODA.ai, with participation from L-Stone Capital.

Founded in 2017, VODA.ai's platform helps utilities to manage aging water infrastructure by providing AI-driven predictive analytics to assess pipe condition and risk across transmission, distribution, and collection systems. To date, the Boston-based company's proprietary platform has analyzed over one million miles of pipe across 26 U.S. states and six countries, enabling utilities to prioritize the protection of critical infrastructure and efficiently allocate resources.

"This investment expands CRH's existing smart water management solutions and represents a significant step forward in our mission to support technologies that make infrastructure smarter, more resilient, and more sustainable," said Eduardo Gomez Mendoza, Head of CRH Ventures. "VODA.ai is a standout innovator in AI-driven asset management that can play a critical role in helping utilities around the world to deliver safe, reliable and clean water to the communities they serve."

The investment will support VODA.ai's growth, expand its R&D capabilities, and accelerate innovation to better serve municipal utilities and private water operators worldwide. It builds on a commercial partnership announced earlier this week between VODA.ai and Oldcastle Infrastructure, CRH's leading water infrastructure business in North America, which will enhance market access and collaboration opportunities.

"CRH brings more than capital - it brings global reach, deep infrastructure expertise, and a shared vision for innovation," said George Demosthenous, CEO of VODA.ai. "We're excited to work together to scale our impact and help utilities make smarter, data-driven decisions."

"This investment in VODA.ai reflects CRH's commitment to supporting transformative solutions that address the world's most pressing infrastructure challenges," added Jason Jackson, President, Oldcastle Infrastructure. "We're excited to support its next phase of growth."

About CRH Ventures
CRH Ventures is the venture capital unit of CRH, a leading provider of building materials solutions. With access to CRH's Venturing and Innovation Fund, CRH Ventures partners with and invests ambitiously and strategically in ConTech and ClimateTech start-ups across the entire construction value chain. For more information visit www.crhventures.com. 

About CRH
CRH plc (NYSE: CRH) is the leading provider of building materials solutions that build, connect and improve our world. Employing 80,000 people at over 3,800 operating locations in 28 countries, CRH has market leadership positions in North America and Europe. As the essential partner for transportation and critical infrastructure projects, complex non-residential construction and outdoor living solutions, CRH's unique offering of materials, products and value-added services helps to deliver a more resilient and sustainable built environment. The company is ranked among sector leaders by Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) rating agencies. A Fortune Global 500 company, CRH's shares are listed on the NYSE and LSE. For more information visit: www.crh.com.

About VODA.ai
VODA.ai is a Boston-based SaaS company that uses artificial intelligence to enhance decision-making for water utilities. Its platform provides detailed insights into the condition and risk of water and wastewater systems, enabling utilities to prioritize repairs and investments with confidence. Learn more at www.voda.ai.

About Oldcastle Infrastructure
Oldcastle Infrastructure, A CRH Company, is a leading provider of infrastructure solutions for the water, communications, and energy markets. With an extensive network of manufacturing facilities and a focus on operational excellence, the company delivers innovative and sustainable products and services throughout North America. Utilizing scale, product breadth, and more than 50 years of engineering expertise, the company delivers products and services designed for wastewater treatment, stormwater management and drainage, access & cable management, telecom & fiber utilities, security walls, electrical C&I, and smart infrastructure. The Oldcastle Infrastructure team partners with municipalities, utilities, contractors, asset owners and engineers to build and maintain the critical infrastructure that powers and connects our communities. For more information, visit www.oldcastleinfrastructure.com.

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SOURCE CRH Ventures

FAQ

What is CRH Ventures' investment in VODA.ai?

CRH Ventures led a Series A investment in VODA.ai, a company that provides AI-driven predictive analytics for water infrastructure management.

How many miles of pipe has VODA.ai's platform analyzed?

VODA.ai's platform has analyzed over one million miles of pipe across 26 U.S. states and six countries.

What is the partnership between VODA.ai and Oldcastle Infrastructure?

VODA.ai and Oldcastle Infrastructure, CRH's water infrastructure business in North America, formed a commercial partnership to enhance market access and collaboration opportunities.

How will VODA.ai use the Series A investment from CRH Ventures?

The investment will support VODA.ai's growth, expand its R&D capabilities, and accelerate innovation to better serve municipal utilities and private water operators worldwide.

What does VODA.ai's technology do for water utilities?

VODA.ai's platform helps utilities manage aging water infrastructure by providing AI-driven predictive analytics to assess pipe condition and risk across transmission, distribution, and collection systems.