Deploying new technology often demands its own skill set, and Texas A&M University’s College of Architecture is exploring what it would take for those in its construction management program to be proficient in evaluating and implementing new technologies.

The university held a small construction technology start-up pitch competition on Sept. 12, in partnership with industry association the Society for Construction Solutions and venture capital firm Brick & Mortar Ventures.

The long-term goal isn’t just to add yet another academic certification, but to make sure students pursuing construction management degrees are prepared for the modern workforce, explains Stephen Mulva, research professor at Texas A&M’s College of Architecture. “The one thing that would be great is if you could bring more state-of-the-art technology into the classroom, and help students understand employment opportunities related to technology.”

The initial pitch competition focused on start-ups targeting the needs of construction contractors that do a great deal of self-perform work. Pitches from eight start-up firms included robotic layout from Rugged Robotics, automated jobsite vending machines from Friendly Vending Service and inflatable concrete forms from Automatic Construction. The pitch competition’s $10,000 prize went to Edison Motors, which is developing an all-electric hauling truck to deliver materials to off-the-grid sites.

“I hear from companies a lot about an unmet need for construction technologists,” says Curtis Rodgers, partner at Brick & Mortar Ventures. “It shouldn’t be just one person at the company, it’s got to be decentralized,” with people capable of evaluating and fostering technology across an organization.

Rodgers and Mulva say the pitch meetings will be held quarterly at Texas A&M on different construction topics, with a focus on student engagement and hearing out innovations from other industries.