From Vegas to Vision: Why Investing in Founders Builds Stronger Industries

Last year at Trimble Dimensions 2024, Ben and I took to the stage for the SketchUp 0-60 Innovation Challenge, pitching a bold idea: “Real scaffold design, made simple.” 
 
That moment changed everything. 
 
What started as a 60-second pitch has now become a reality: ScaffPlan for SketchUp, a platform built directly from that very concept. 
 
This week, I’ve come full circle. I’ve been back in Las Vegas for Trimble Dimensions 2025, not as a competitor this time, but as a judge for this year’s 0–60 event, sharing insights from ScaffPlan’s journey from startup to global platform. 
 
Standing on that stage again reminded me of one thing I’ve believed ever since that first pitch: investing in founders is how industries evolve. 
 
Our original pitch was simple but bold – a purpose-built scaffolding extension that could transform how temporary works are designed, visualised and delivered, from start to finish. 

The judges saw the potential immediately. ScaffPlan took first place, earning recognition for redefining how scaffold and temporary works projects could be modelled, priced and shared inside SketchUp’s familiar environment. 

For us, that moment wasn’t just about winning a global competition. It was proof that the scaffolding industry – an industry built on precision, safety and experience – is ready for digital transformation, led by the people who know it best. 

Built by Scaffolders, for Scaffolders 

When we started ScaffPlan, we weren’t trying to build a tech company. We were trying to solve a problem we lived every day: outdated 2D drawings, long design turnaround times and too much guesswork on site. 

We wanted to make professional scaffold design accessible, visual and fast, without sacrificing accuracy or safety. 

That win in Vegas gave us the momentum to turn an idea into a real platform; one that puts modern design tools in the hands of every scaffolder, estimator and engineer. 

From Concept to Reality 

Over the following year, our development team, led by Pawel Lisowski, our Head of Development and Lead Engineer, worked closely with scaffolders, engineers and contractors to transform the original 0–60 prototype into a complete software platform. 

Developing ScaffPlan for SketchUp required more than refining a design tool. It meant building a scalable, high-performance digital environment through constant testing and innovation. Every component was engineered for real-world speed, reliability and precision, resulting in a platform built for adaptability and everyday use. 

With ScaffPlan for SketchUp, we’ve combined the speed and simplicity of SketchUp with the accuracy and intelligence of ScaffPlan, bringing scaffold design to life in a way that’s intuitive, visual and accurate down to the last ledger. 

Now, scaffolders can: 

• Model anything, from towers to bridges, in 3D with real-world precision. 

• See issues before they happen with instant clash detection and live gear lists. 

• Communicate clearly with teams and clients using a single shared model. 

No complex CAD training. No guesswork. Just clarity. 

Digitising the Scaffolding Industry 

Temporary works are the unsung heroes of construction; essential but invisible once the job’s done. 
 
Digitising this part of the process isn’t just about technology. It’s about giving scaffolders a better way to do what they already do so well. 

Every scaffold designed in ScaffPlan means: 

• Less time wasted on rework. 

• More profit retained on every job. 

• Safer, clearer and more collaborative project delivery. 

That’s what “built by scaffolders, for scaffolders” means to me: taking our lived experience and turning it into tools that make the entire industry better. 

Looking Ahead 

We’ve come a long way since that first 60-second pitch in Vegas. 

But the real story isn’t about the trophy. It’s about the transformation happening across our industry. 

Because when scaffolders embrace digital tools designed for them, everyone wins, from the crew on site to the client signing off. 

If you haven’t explored ScaffPlan yet, now’s the time to see what’s possible.