#35 - Barry Chiu, CEO & Co-Founder at Kroo
Slice of Construction Team
02/11/2025
Join us in this exciting episode of the Slice of Construction podcast, hosted by Jared S. Taylor! Our Guest: Barry Chiu, CEO & Co-Founder at Kroo.
What you’ll get out of this episode:
- Barry Chiu’s Journey: From construction ownership to co-founding Kroo, a modern data management platform.
- Solving Data Challenges: How Kroo helps mid-market GCs access enterprise-level data capabilities.
- Growth & Strategy: Lessons from the Suffolk Technologies Boost Program and prioritizing customer-driven innovation.
- 2025 Outlook: Expansion, AI-driven solutions, and hiring plans to enhance Kroo’s offerings.
- Advice for Founders: Why understanding industry needs is key to building valuable construction tech solutions.
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Barry Chiu’s Path to Kroo
Barry Chiu, CEO and Co-Founder of Kroo, brings a unique perspective to construction technology. With a background in ownership and ground-up developments in multifamily and industrial sectors, he saw firsthand the complexities of managing construction data. His experience led him to create Kroo—a platform designed to democratize data management for general contractors (GCs) who lack the resources of large enterprises.
Bridging the Data Gap for Mid-Market GCs
While major contractors like Suffolk and Turner invest in extensive data teams, mid-market GCs often struggle with fragmented data across multiple software platforms. Kroo solves this problem by integrating, warehousing, and making data actionable at a fraction of the cost and time.
Key aspects of Kroo’s solution include:
- Seamless integration with multiple data sources.
- Data warehousing for historical analysis and predictive insights.
- Out-of-the-box dashboards to simplify data visualization.
Early Challenges & Lessons Learned
Building Kroo wasn’t without its challenges. One of the biggest hurdles was helping GCs understand the power of their data. Many firms recognized the need for data aggregation but weren’t sure how to leverage it. Kroo’s approach? Provide clear use cases, real-time analytics, and tools for operational efficiencies.
Suffolk Technologies Boost Program & Growth
In the fall of 2023, Kroo was selected for the Suffolk Technologies Boost Program, a milestone that significantly influenced the company. Learning from industry leaders at Suffolk allowed Barry and his team to refine their approach and expand their understanding of how construction firms use data. This experience reinforced Kroo’s commitment to building solutions that align with real-world needs.
What’s Ahead for Kroo in 2025?
As Kroo enters 2025, several key initiatives are in motion:
- Expanding AI capabilities to enhance data management and Power BI dashboarding.
- Attending industry events to engage with construction professionals and refine solutions.
- Growing the team with a focus on software engineering and customer success.
Advice for Construction Tech Founders
Barry’s biggest advice for aspiring founders? Deeply understand industry needs before building a solution. Many startups attempt to apply generic tech solutions to construction without fully grasping the sector’s unique challenges. His approach:
- Listen to contractors and identify their pain points.
- Drop preconceived notions and learn from the ground up.
- Build solutions that drive real value for the industry.
Final Thoughts
Barry Chiu and Kroo are redefining construction data management, making powerful data tools accessible to mid-market contractors. As the company expands and explores AI-driven solutions, it’s set to play a crucial role in the industry’s digital transformation.
