How industry investors are fueling Block and Mortar’s vision for a real estate tech hub in KC

Kansas City is uniquely positioned to become the real estate development and built capital of the United States, said Usman Wajid, announcing a strategic investment from two infrastructure and development-focused construction firms that already dug lasting legacies in the region.

The new backing from Clarkson Construction Company and Global Earthwork & Underground supports Block and Mortar’s mission to build the next great real estate development technology company in Kansas City — “alongside partners who deeply understand how the physical world gets built,” the startup founder explained.

“This partnership represents more than capital — it represents alignment around a shared vision for the future of real estate development and the built environment,” said Wajid, CEO of Block and Mortar. “Kansas City has quietly become one of the most important hubs for real estate development, infrastructure, and construction talent in America.”

Founded in Kansas City, Block and Mortar is focused on modernizing real estate development, construction, and the broader built environment through software and operational innovation that helps developers, contractors, and infrastructure stakeholders operate more efficiently, collaborate more effectively, and unlock long-term growth across the industry.

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Usman Wajid, Block and Mortar; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News

Block and Mortar — announced as a LaunchKC winner in 2025 — plans to use the strategic investment to accelerate product development, expand industry partnerships, and continue investing in the future of the built environment from its Kansas City headquarters, Wajid said.

“One of the biggest reasons we wanted Clarkson and Global involved is because they genuinely believe in innovation,” he added. “These are companies with deep industry experience that also understand the importance of evolving, modernizing operations, and investing in the future. That mindset alignment was incredibly important to us as we think about building a generational company in the built environment.”

Usman Wajid, Block and Mortar, speaks during a March launch event for hi startup; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

By partnering with Block and Mortar, the companies — both established Kansas City construction firms — are investing in new technology and ideas that will help drive efficiency, modernization, and long-term growth, said Billy Clarkson, president of Clarkson Construction Company.

“We believe the future of construction depends on our willingness to evolve alongside the industry,” he explained. “We’re excited to support companies like Block and Mortar that are developing forward-thinking technology solutions that can help our industry work smarter, operate more efficiently, and continue to grow.”

The partnership reflects a broader movement across the real estate development and construction industries toward embracing technology-enabled solutions that improve operational performance and strengthen long-term competitiveness, said Joe Rodriguez, president of Global Earthwork & Underground.

“Block and Mortar is helping push the industry forward, and we’re excited to support innovation that creates new opportunities and helps us modernize how we build,” he said, noting the Kansas City startup’s ability to bring fresh ideas and new technology to the construction space.