For anyone who has been involved in a home renovation project, there’s an unavoidable truth: Unpredictability and risk are constant. Hidden variables such as inadequate wiring, outdated plumbing, or even unseen mold and water damage can lead to costly delays and unexpected challenges.
A new startup spun out of Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering called Resolv aims to eliminate such risks by introducing a new level of insight and certainty to the construction, inspection, remediation and property management industries. Powered by metamaterials—synthetic materials that can exhibit properties not found in nature—the technology promises to deliver new levels of efficiency in identifying and resolving hidden issues lurking behind a building’s walls.
The company recently closed a successful $5 million seed round co-led by MetaVC Partners and Undeterred Capital to accelerate the technology’s development and bring its powerful capabilities to market.
“Resolv exemplifies the kind of translational science we look for as investors,” said Chris Alliegro, managing partner at MetaVC Partners. “What MRI did for medicine, Resolv can do for buildings—noninvasive diagnostics that allow better decisions and avoid unnecessary damage. It’s a natural extension of Duke’s leadership in metamaterials, and we’re proud to partner with them as we go from lab to market.”
“Resolv is applying this incredible metamaterials technology to transform a $10 billion industry by providing valuable information to professionals and consumers,” said Mike Ellenbogen, Resolv’s CEO. “We’re focused on the as-built world where current tools are limited and the demand for cost and time savings is immense.”
Resolv was co-founded by David Smith, the James B. Duke Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, who was one of the founding fathers of metamaterials and brings both scientific insight and entrepreneurial experience to the venture. This is the ninth metamaterial-based spin-off company pursued by Smith, now the startup’s chief technology officer, who is joined by his former PhD student Aaron Diebold as principal scientist.
“This process has been very efficient because of our strong partnership with Duke,” said Smith. “It’s a great template for how this type of research and development can move forward at a reasonable cost before larger companies step in and make substantial investments.”
