BuildTraders

BuildTraders was a Bangalore-based online marketplace for construction materials, founded in 2016. The company aimed to streamline the procurement process for both individual home builders and larger real estate developers. Ranjeet Gakhare, a second-time entrepreneur, started BuildTraders in April 2016, and was later joined by the co-founders of his previous venture, Cozilla: Yogesh Pawde, Aditya Joshi, and Shubham Choudhary. This team expansion occurred after BuildTraders acquired Cozilla, a property management portal, in July 2016. The founding team brought a wealth of relevant experience; Pawde and Joshi are alumni of IIT Bombay, and Choudhary, the CTO, previously worked at Amazon and Livspace. Pawde, with prior experience at Housing.com, headed the supply and operations division.

The company operated as an e-commerce platform where users could source building materials such as sand, steel, TMT, cement, bricks, and blocks. The business model focused on providing a one-stop solution for construction needs, allowing users to search for products, request quotes, and place orders through the platform. In September 2016, BuildTraders secured $200,000 in seed funding from Idein Ventures, a Dubai-based venture capital firm. These funds were earmarked for enhancing the platform's technology, strengthening the supplier base, and for marketing and brand building efforts. The company also had plans to expand its product categories to include plumbing materials, electrical fittings, marble, and granite. Furthermore, they envisioned developing a platform for users to virtually construct their homes online while using BuildTraders' materials for the physical build.

BuildTraders served as an intermediary in the largely unorganized construction material supply business, targeting both individual consumers and professional realtors. The company intended to generate revenue through the sale of these materials on its platform, functioning within a B2B and B2C e-commerce framework. Despite its initial funding and strategic acquisition, the company is now listed as deadpooled.

Keywords: construction materials, building supplies, e-commerce marketplace, real estate tech, procurement platform, online building materials, construction procurement, building material suppliers, TMT, cement marketplace, construction logistics, B2B construction, building supplies India, real estate procurement, construction e-commerce, Yogesh Pawde, Ranjeet Gakhare, Idein Ventures, Cozilla acquisition, Bangalore startup