Constrafor’s B2B procurement platform for the construction industry has become a hot spot for industry leaders, thinkers and innovators. From business development to operations, service and sales, Constrafor’s leadership team is a growing group of thought leaders looking to make a difference in the built environment.
It Starts With Leadership
At the head of this organization is Anwar Ghauche. With a master’s degree in Civil Engineering and Operations Research and an MBA from Stanford University, Ghauche has been focused on the alignment of finance and construction for many years. He was formerly the general manager for a financial services company and before that an equities investor.
When asked about founding Constrafor, he responded: “I needed a change and a way to make a difference. Constrafor is an opportunity to provide valuable financial services in a seamless manner to contractors that were in dire need. On a personal level, it is a chance to utilize my portfolio analysis and risk management skills to drive business growth.”
Ghauche’s energy and desire to drive change has attracted others with similar thoughts.
Building a Team for Success
A key early hire, Constrafor’s Vice President and Head of Credit, Julia Yu was a global venture portfolio manager and trader with expertise in data analysis, economic research and risk management. She has a bachelor of science degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from MIT—and she’s a 2018 Forbes 30 Under 30 recipient.
She joined Constrafor in 2021, as she noted, to build out an “elegant solution to an underserved need in a large market.” She added, “We have a compelling financial technology product concept with an existing proof of market fit that can get even stronger with my experience.”
Planning for the Future
Tasked with overseeing the company’s technology roadmap and development, Constrafor’s Chief Technology Officer Douglas Reed sees the company as an exciting new challenge. He was previously lead developer at a global construction project management platform where he led a cross functional team of product managers, designers and engineers to deliver innovative solutions.
“Prior to joining the company, I was well aware of the inefficiencies that plague the construction industry,” he said. “The problem of subcontractor financing and construction project automation that Constrafor is trying to solve is a very interesting one and a huge opportunity for the construction industry. I believe the Constrafor team with their background in construction, finance, and technology has the right mix of skills to solve these tough problems.”
Reed and Yu both point to the company’s high energy team that is striving to make a difference. Reed added, “I’ve worked at many startups before coming to Constrafor and one common theme amongst the successful startups has been this spark of energy, which is difficult to miss at Constrafor. We are very uniquely positioned to disrupt the ‘business as usual’ way of how projects are managed and financed in the construction industry. Such opportunities are quite rare and I am excited to be a part of this journey!
Yu concluded, “I’m especially excited about the innovative fintech framework that offers financial products to new segments of a big market and our ability to help and empower the growth of small businesses.”
