Livegistics: Rebuilding the Construction Landscape
Let’s talk numbers. Detroit is home to over 263 tech startups and is rapidly becoming a hub for innovation. Detroit was recognized as the top emerging startup ecosystem globally by Startup Genome’s 2022 Global Startup Ecosystem Report, underscoring its growth in early-stage funding, investor activity, and talent retention. Livegistics is one of them.
In recent years, the number of Black entrepreneurs in Detroit has grown significantly, with the city being one of the best places in the country for Black-owned businesses. According to recent data, about 19% of all firms in the Detroit metropolitan area are Black-owned, which is higher than the national average of 11%.
One of these Black-owned tech companies is Livegistics.
Historically, construction is riddled with paperwork. “The first thing we always celebrate is our process is 100% digital,” said Justin Turk, co-founder and CEO of Livegistics, Inc.
Founded in 2017, Livegistics is focused on revamping the outdated practices of the construction industry. “We’re being more sustainable. We’re eliminating the need for paperwork. We’re eliminating the need for producing more carbon emissions. And that’s what we do. We solve problems. Business first. We’re service-oriented,” said Turk.
In the past several years, Livegistics’ cloud-based material management system has gained thousands of users and saved nearly half a million pounds of paper. It decreases fraud and revenue loss and improves daily operations for construction companies. By offering real-time data and streamlining processes, Livegistics is making construction a more sustainable operation.
It was not long before Livegistics Inc. found a home with Detroit Ventures Partners (DVP), a Detroit-based venture capital firm founded in 2010 by Dan Gilbert to back early-stage tech companies that had the potential to move the world forward. With Livegistics’ strong desire to revolutionize the way construction companies utilize tech, they were an obvious choice to receive professional support and financial backing from DVP.
“There’s a renaissance in Detroit’s tech community,” Turk explained. “We’re seeing the rise of new buildings. We’re seeing the rise of new ideas. And it aligns with, this is a place where we’ve always produced great engineers, great people who are solving problems. Introduce tech and we’re going to solve problems.”
Livegistics’ ongoing commitment to prioritizing the hardworking people and businesses it serves aligned seamlessly with DVP’s philosophy of being For More Than Profit.
“Detroit is a great tech community. So first and foremost, we’re going to support the tech companies in Detroit. We want to not only have companies in Detroit. We want to have people invest in our business from Detroit.”
Continuing to innovate and push the boundary of what’s possible, Livegistics Inc. has done away with dated construction practices that cause inefficiencies and stall production.
Detroit’s commitment to affordability, access to talent, and community support makes it a top choice for technology startups aiming to make a significant impact. This growth is reflected in the increasing number of venture-backed startup companies, which saw a 17% increase over the last five years, with every dollar invested in a Michigan startup attracting nearly ten dollars of investment from outside the state.
The Motor City is not just about cars anymore. It is about tech, innovation, and a thriving entrepreneurial spirit that is transforming industries and creating a sustainable future for all. This vibrant ecosystem is supported by a diverse array of resources and strategic partnerships, ensuring that Detroit continues to be a leading destination for startups and VC investment.
