Georgi Ferdwindra Putra is the co-founder and co-CEO of Gravel, a startup focused on making construction more affordable and efficient by making blue-collar construction jobs more accessible.

They raised $14M in a funding round last year. 

‍

👋🏼 How would you explain your job to someone outside tech?

I create an ecosystem of trusted builders, enabling anyone to build anything, anywhere, with a commitment to superior quality at reasonable prices. 

The overarching goal is to make the construction of buildings as easy as ordering fast food, thereby fostering accessibility and efficiency in the construction process.

‍

🧐 What's something about you or your job that would surprise us?

Few are aware that I play musical instruments, specifically electric guitars. 

My musical journey spans 8 years, commencing at the age of 8. 

Over this period, I went through some music education for over 5 years, won some band competitions, composed original songs, was awarded as the best guitarist, and also became a judge for a music competition. 

‍

🏆 What has been the biggest highlight of your career so far?

The pinnacle of my career up until now is marked by the significant improvement in the welfare and well-being of millions of construction workers in Indonesia. 

Through Gravel apps, countless job opportunities are now available for construction workers across the nation.

‍

🔍 What's a startup trend or space you're watching this year?‍

This year, I am interested in seeing how individuals and companies are exploring more effective ways of reaching their audience. 

With a plethora of channels and media in our hands, the potential for employing diverse and creative approaches to connect with, engage, and influence our target audience is immense.

‍

💼 What advice would you give someone starting out in your industry? 

Get your hands dirty and immerse yourself in the practical aspect of the task, delving hands-on into the experience to gain a profound understanding of both the challenges at hand and the potential solutions. 

This tactile engagement not only allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the issues but also enhances your capacity to devise more effective and informed solutions. 

‍

🗣 What's one thing you can keep talking about for hours? 

I always love to engage in thoughtful brainstorming sessions envisioning what future societies would be like. 

Whether contemplating the evolution of our eating habits, the way we communicate, the way we work, to the way we support each other in the future. I find joy in exploring the potential trajectories that will shape our future experiences.

‍

🎥 What's your favorite movie/TV show? 

I love science fiction, and recently I loved to watch (not even a movie) a playthrough of a game called ‘Detroit Become Human’. It was incredible.

‍

🍨 What's your go-to ice cream flavor?‍

Vanilla.

‍

FYI. We've edited this interview for clarity.