How a Technology-Driven Approach is Revolutionizing India’s $90 Billion Construction Materials Industry
With India’s real estate sector steadily advancing toward a trillion-dollar valuation by 2030, construction activities are experiencing parallel growth, particularly in Tier-I and Tier-II cities. However, this expansion faces significant obstacles in the procurement of essential building materials such as cement and steel at consistent prices.
Construction projects regularly encounter challenges including protracted supplier negotiations, unpredictable price variations, and logistical delays in material delivery. These impediments not only obstruct the nation’s infrastructure development but also constrain the potential of the $90 billion construction materials industry.
“There was an immediate need to plug this gap,” explained Aaditya Sharda, co-founder of Infra. Market, during a conversation with Inc42 at Startup Mahakumbh 2025. Recognizing the necessity “to keep up the momentum of the real estate market,” Sharda developed technology-enabled solutions designed to streamline construction material procurement and enhance efficiency in this fragmented industry.
Startup Mahakumbh: Catalyst for Innovation and Growth
The discussion with Inc42 took place during Startup Mahakumbh, India’s premier gathering of startups, innovators, investors, and policy architects. “Startup Mahakumbh is an excellent opportunity for startups to explore business opportunities and tap into a supportive network that accelerates growth,” Sharda remarked as he shared insights into how Infra. Market is transforming a conventional sector through advanced technological implementation.
The second iteration of this annual entrepreneurial congregation commenced on April 3, 2025, at New Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam. This three-day event, concluding on April 5, has united thousands of startups, investors, and government stakeholders under one roof, with a concentrated focus on sector-specific expansion, public-private collaboration, and innovation.
As the conversation with Inc42 progressed, Sharda elaborated on why he strongly believes in the opportunities presented by events like Startup Mahakumbh to Indian entrepreneurs, and how he personally benefited from participating in the event’s inaugural edition.
Below are the edited excerpts from this insightful exchange:
Disrupting Traditional Industries Through Innovative Business Models
Inc42: What key factors do you believe are essential for startups looking to innovate in traditional sectors like construction materials?
Aaditya Sharda: Our disruption of the construction materials industry stemmed from implementing a differentiated business model, which is fundamental for any startup aiming to innovate within traditional sectors. While most building materials brands strive to achieve top rankings within their specific categories, Infra. Market has pursued a different strategy—capturing the highest wallet share from customers rather than pursuing market leadership.
We’ve adopted a platform-based approach, offering more than 15 building material categories, a diversity unmatched by any other brand at a comparable scale. This comprehensive range has established us as a genuine one-stop destination for project owners, architects, and contractors across the construction ecosystem.
Timely fulfillment of product orders represents another critical component of our business model. To guarantee this, we operate in excess of 250 fully owned manufacturing facilities, a scale unparalleled in the sector. Additionally, our manufacturing processes, logistics operations, and demand planning systems are all powered by proprietary technology integration, which has emerged as a significant competitive differentiator.
Leadership Evolution in a Scaling Organization
Inc42: What advice would you give to first-time founders about adapting to their roles as their companies grow?
Aaditya Sharda: Throughout Infra. Market’s development journey, my leadership approach has undergone considerable transformation. In the initial stages, I was intimately involved in every decision-making process. However, as we scaled operations, we strategically recruited industry veterans and granted them complete autonomy to develop their respective verticals implementing industry-best practices.
This approach effectively created multiple companies operating within a single organizational structure, which highlights the exceptional quality of senior leadership talent we’ve assembled. The specialized knowledge brought by these industry leaders contributes invaluable experience and perspective that substantially assists in refining our business strategy, optimizing operational efficiency, and successfully navigating the complexities inherent to the construction sector.
The Technology-Driven Transformation of Construction Material Procurement
Infra. Market’s innovative approach addresses several persistent challenges in the construction materials supply chain:
- Fragmented Supplier Landscape: By consolidating multiple material categories under one platform, the company eliminates the need for builders to manage relationships with dozens of different suppliers.
- Price Volatility: The platform helps stabilize pricing through scale and direct manufacturing control, providing more predictable costs for construction projects.
- Quality Consistency: Owning manufacturing facilities allows Infra.Market to maintain consistent quality standards across all materials supplied.
- Delivery Reliability: Integrated logistics and demand planning systems powered by technology ensure timely deliveries, a critical factor in maintaining construction schedules.
Leveraging Events Like Startup Mahakumbh
For Infra. Market, platforms such as Startup Mahakumbh serve as more than networking opportunities—they function as strategic growth accelerators. The confluence of investors, industry stakeholders, and policy architects creates an environment where traditional industries can discover pathways to technological transformation.
The construction materials sector, historically resistant to technological disruption, represents a massive opportunity for innovation. By participating in Startup Mahakumbh, companies like Infra. Market can showcase how technology-enabled solutions are addressing longstanding inefficiencies while simultaneously connecting with potential partners, investors, and customers who share their vision for a more efficient construction ecosystem.
Building the Foundation for India’s Infrastructure Future
As India continues its ambitious infrastructure development trajectory, companies like Infra. Markets are laying the groundwork for more efficient, reliable, and transparent construction materials procurement. Their platform-based approach, combined with vertical integration through manufacturing ownership, offers a blueprint for how traditional sectors can be reimagined through technological innovation.
The participation of such companies in events like Startup Mahakumbh highlights the growing recognition that India’s infrastructure future depends not just on physical construction but on the digital transformation of the entire construction value chain. By bringing together startups, established businesses, and government stakeholders, these events catalyze the collaborations necessary to overcome traditional industry barriers and accelerate India’s path toward becoming a trillion-dollar real estate market by 2030.
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