Building the Data Layer Behind Smarter Construction

Real estate and construction generate enormous volumes of data, but very little of it is structured, connected, or actionable when decisions are made.

Helex is built on the premise that better inputs drive better outcomes, and that the industry is overdue for foundational change.

We spoke with Vivek Ravi, CEO of Helex, about why he chose to build again, why this problem matters now, and why he chose to build with R-LABS.

You’ve built before. What drew you back to building?

My path has moved between engineering, finance, and operating roles, but the common thread has always been building.

Early on, I co-founded an algorithmic hedge fund. We had strong technical capability, but we did not understand how to raise capital or scale. That experience made it clear that solving the problem is only part of the equation. If you cannot commercialize it, it does not matter.

Since then, I have worked across a range of companies, including scaling Tread from two to 60 people and leading an oncology business from research to operations.

I have tried stepping away. It did not last.

What continues to pull me back is the opportunity to identify structural inefficiencies and build something that fundamentally changes how a system operates. Today, I am focused on problems where complexity, fragmentation, and scale intersect. That is exactly what real estate and construction represent.

What is it about real estate and construction that makes it a compelling space?

Real estate and construction have some of the lowest levels of software penetration of any major industry. There is significant opportunity to apply technology in a way that meaningfully changes outcomes. At the same time, it is a relationship-driven ecosystem that moves slowly. Strong ideas often struggle without the right access, relationships, and timing.

We are now at an inflection point. Cost pressures, labour constraints, and increasing complexity are forcing the industry to evolve. There is real demand, real need, and a willingness to invest.

What is Helex solving?

Helex is a data standardization and transformation layer that spans the full lifecycle of complex projects from design through to operations and eventual decommissioning.

In large-scale environments like hospitals, airports, or data centres, decisions are made constantly across multiple stakeholders. The challenge is that the underlying data is often fragmented, inconsistent, and not usable in real time.

We aggregate, standardize, and connect that data into a structured, accessible format. Different stakeholders – from designers to facilities managers to equipment providers, can interact with the data in relevant, idiosyncratic ways.

Owners of buildings are typically the primary buyers, but the value extends across the ecosystem. At a high level, we are building the foundational building information layer that everything else depends on.

There is a lot of focus today on digital twins and AI-driven tools. Those only work if the underlying data is available, complete and usable. That layer does not exist in a meaningful way today. That is what we are building.

How did Helex come together – and what is your role today?

The company was initially built by the founders, Artem Ryzhkov and Igor Starkov, as an internal tool to support their work on complex construction projects. As they developed it, they realized the value extended far beyond internal use. It solved a problem that many others in the industry were experiencing.

They both came through the REALFounders program, where that early insight was validated and shaped into a standalone business with broader industry application.

At that point, it became clear this could be a standalone business. My role as CEO is to help scale that. To build the commercial strategy, expand adoption, and position it for long-term growth.

Where are you on the journey today?

We have validated the value proposition and have a robust institutional client base with many more prospects in the pipeline. The focus now is scaling distribution and accelerating adoption.

What gives me confidence is that we are building for people like ourselves. The problem is well understood internally, which translates into stronger alignment with the market.

But we are still early. There is significant optionality in how this evolves, particularly in how intelligence layers are built on top of the data.

Why build again instead of advising or investing?

It comes down to proximity to the problem. Advising and investing create distance. You can influence outcomes, but you are not operating within the constraints in real time.

What I enjoy is the zero-to-one phase. Taking something abstract and turning it into something real.

Why partner with a venture builder like R-LABS?

Access and acceleration matter in this industry.

Real estate and infrastructure are difficult markets to enter. Relationships, context, and timing all play a role.

R-LABS provides structured access, not just introductions, but insight into how organizations think, how they make decisions, where innovation budgets sit, and who to engage first. That shortens cycles that would otherwise take years.

There is also a practical advantage. As a CEO, a lot of time goes into work that is necessary but not core to building the business. Having access to experienced operators, and the ability to pull in the right expertise when needed, allows me to stay focused on what actually drives value. It is not about outsourcing. It is about leveraging force multiplying resources that operate as a natural extension of our team.

Thinking about building your next venture?

REALFounders is designed for experienced operators ready to build scalable ventures in real estate and the built environment. Helex moved from concept to structured execution because the right founders met the right ecosystem at the right time.

R-LABS is actively building new ventures and hiring founders now.

If you are ready to tackle complex, system-level challenges in housing, infrastructure, sustainability, or urban innovation, explore the REALFounders program or view current founder opportunities to see where your experience could translate into impact.

The next generation of housing innovation will be built by founders who understand both the problem and the system. REALFounders exists to help them do exactly that.