Posted: 1st April 2025

MSc Software Engineering student Atsushi Shirahama has been named one of the winners of the 2025 All-Innovate competition for his project Buildopedia – an AI-powered platform designed to improve efficiency in the construction industry. 

Organised by EnSpire Oxford, the University of Oxford’s entrepreneurship hub, the All-Innovate competition brings together students and staff from all disciplines to develop entrepreneurial skills and turn their ideas into reality. The annual event is open to participants regardless of their level of study or prior experience, offering an opportunity to access resources and funding to support promising business ventures. 

The 2025 awards were announced at the All-Innovate Showcase, held at Reuben College, where students pitched their ideas to an audience of peers, entrepreneurs and members of the local startup community. Run by EnSpire, the competition supports early-stage innovation through training, mentorship and funding. 

Buildopedia tackles inefficiencies in construction by combining an intelligent search agent with a comprehensive AI-driven data repository. It allows architects and construction professionals to quickly access detailed information on materials, methods and structural components, helping to speed up decision-making and reduce costs. With more than 1.3 million families in the UK struggling to find affordable housing, the platform aims to make the building process faster, more efficient and more accessible. 

This award is a first step toward our mission to transform the construction industry. By leveraging AI, we can make building faster, more efficient, and more affordable. With millions of people struggling to find housing, technology can bridge the gap between innovation and accessibility. Atsushi Shirahama