Phil Gold FCIOB is using his experience in project management and AI to offer app development services and AI-enabled solutions to entrepreneurs and CIOB members.
His startup, Zapt, democratises app creation by using plain English. Meanwhile, his Building Online toolkit of apps has been accepted for the CIOB’s Expert Partners list.
CM Digital grabbed five minutes with Gold to find out more.
CM Digital: What’s your elevator pitch: how can your business help CIOB members?
Phil Gold: I am a co-founder of tech startup Zapt, an AI-powered platform that challenges the current software development status quo by allowing the creation of apps, in minutes rather than weeks or months, simply by describing the user requirements in plain English.
“The idea for Zapt was born out of the desire to create a platform that could help anyone wanting to build an app take it from concept to a fully formed product in a simple, fast and affordable way.”
The platform was designed so that anyone can build an app, but we understand that not everyone wants to do this, and those who want to build larger, more sophisticated apps often struggle due to the current limitations of no-code platforms.
Recognising that many users would value more of a partnership approach, we can now work with organisations and entrepreneurs as their technology partner. We help create solutions that deliver real value and address pressing needs.
For example, if you are a specialist and have an idea to create a groundbreaking app, or if you are a business striving to create a new tech-driven revenue stream, Zapt will collaborate with you to bring your ideas to life much faster and at significantly lower cost than a traditional software development process.
We also build our own apps in areas where we have expertise, such as project management, which led to the development of the Building Online suite of tools.
What’s the thinking behind your approach?
The idea for Zapt was born out of the desire to create a platform that could help anyone wanting to build an app, take it from concept to a fully formed product in a simple, fast and affordable way.
Our experience of helping construction clients develop simple ideas into robust project briefs, and knowledge of building technology products, allowed us to create a process that borrowed from both.
When AI tools like Open AI’s ChatGPT came along, we were able to integrate these into our platform, making the app design and development process even more automated and efficient.
Since our launch, we are grateful to have been selected for the prestigious GM Growth Hub Ascend Scale Up and Barclays Eagle Labs AI Bridge accelerator programmes, while also being recognised as one of Greater Manchester’s Rising Stars of Business 2025.
Tell us more about what you’re offering CIOB members
We can offer our ‘tech partner’ approach to members, where we work closely with them to help develop their innovative ideas into valuable solutions, quickly and affordably.
As one of the CIOB’s Expert Partners, we are also currently offering free access to the Building Online suite to CIOB CBC member companies until the end of 2025. Thereafter, the cost to members will be discounted.
Building Online was developed to help organisations in the built environment maximise efficiency, reduce costs and resolve common challenges via a range of simple yet effective AI applications.
There are currently four apps in the BOL toolkit. The plan is to add more as we receive feedback from users on the big issues they are seeking solutions to.
For example, Risk Assist generates comprehensive risk registers, including mitigation strategies, in seconds from just a simple project description. This saves many hours spent in risk workshops and on admin, while helping to identify high-impact risks that can derail projects.
Contract AI is an app designed to help companies without in-house legal/contract expertise explore UK building contract issues and develop strategic solutions to potential problems before they become full-blown contractual disputes.
Who is your senior management team and what is their background?
I have been involved with the CIOB for more than 25 years, becoming a Fellow in 2014. I started as a graduate trainee with John Laing Construction where, following extensive training, I learned to manage construction projects. Later, I joined Mace, where I focused on client-side strategic project management.
In 2000, I founded Mpulse, which grew to become a recognised provider of professional project management, consultancy and business support services across the UK.
More recently, I have applied my skills and experience to several ventures encompassing building, consultancy and technology, culminating in the co-founding of Zapt.ai.
My co-founder, Dr David Fox, is the CEO of Zapt. He is a highly accomplished tech leader and data scientist with more than 15 years’ experience in the industry. David holds a PhD in machine learning and has a proven track record of building innovative products and leading technical teams.
Prior to this, he co-founded a fintech company offering embedded financial services and no-code solutions. David has also held key positions as a data scientist and machine learning engineer at various organisations. His expertise spans data analysis, machine learning, research, and leveraging cutting-edge technologies to drive business value.
Can you share any customer case studies?
We work with a variety of organisations, from small innovative startups to established businesses across a range of sectors.
Examples include the development of a major compliance platform for a leading UK-wide consultancy, which recognised the need to become more technology-focused. The platform, which is launching at the end of 2025, offers its clients an intuitive, standardised means of reporting and recording, allowing them to comply fully and confidently with current legislation across all areas of their business operations.
We have also recently helped an entrepreneur launch a new product into the education space that aims to improve student learning and raise overall academic performance, which has met with a very enthusiastic reception from schools and students alike.
We are currently in the process of launching what we hope will be a ground-breaking product that allows non-technical people who have commissioned software to get accurate reports on the progress of the development and interrogate functionality without having to consult the development team. This can be used on anything from a simple app to a fully featured software platform.
