CEO & Co-Founder at Morta
I lead Morta, a platform focused on digitizing construction information to improve project efficiency and sustainability.
Mo Shana'a
London, United Kingdom
Mo Shana'a is CEO & Co-Founder at Morta, with past experience at Entrepreneur First, Consolidated Contractors International Company, Mace, studied at University of Cambridge.
Bio
I co-founded Morta because controls and governance are broken in construction. While the industry talked about AI, robotics, 3D printing and digital transformation, the foundational control layer wasn't working. Teams running complex projects on hundreds of disconnected spreadsheets, no real visibility over what's happening, and endless manual admin holding everything together. Morta is the connected controls and governance platform for AEC delivery. The name comes from mortar, the binding agent that holds construction together. We believe information can play that same role — giving organisations the visibility and accountability they need to deliver with confidence. We work with the people leading information management and project controls at organisations like ALEC, Kier, Mott MacDonald, Mace, and the Ministry of Justice — and we've built Morta with that community, not just for them. We've done that without VC backing to stay focused and aligned with what the industry actually needs. Before Morta, I was an Associate to the CIO at Consolidated Contractors Company, one of the largest contractors in the Middle East, where I set best practices for data use across the group and built our Innovation and R&D effort. I spoke to hundreds of startups during that time and became convinced none of them were addressing the governance and control layer that everything else depends on. Today our team works across product, engineering, customer success and community to turn that conviction into a platform the industry can actually rely on. I'm a Civil Engineer by background with an MPhil in Engineering for Sustainable Development from the University of Cambridge, a member of the Information Management Initiative Task Group, and on the steering group of the UK Digital Construction Exports Group.
Links
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/mshanaa
- X: https://x.com/mo_shanaa
Work Experience
EF11 Cohort Member at Entrepreneur First
Associate to the Chief Information Officer at Consolidated Contractors International Company
• Working with the CIO to streamline work processes and establish corporate best practices in project control strategies. • Designing BIM-based cost management software by working closely with Estimation and Budgeting departments. In addition to these these responsibilities, I am Coordinated our Innovation and R&D activities: • The initiative aims to source and implement ‘innovative’ proposals that will allow for CCC to maintain its position as a market leader by improving current practices and/or finding a new niche for itself in the market • Defined the strategy and methodology for the initiative • Coordinating with 30+ nominated members, functional managers and regional managing directors. • Explored emerging technologies and trends such as: 3D Printing, Robotics, Drones, IoT, Sustainability, Circular Economy, Blockchain. • Initiated the company's Startup Outreach Programme. Shortlisted 50 companies after finding 1000+ startups in the region. Currently in the process of closing 2 investment deals.
Student Consultant at Mace
As part of our Management of Technology and Innovation module, I worked with a team of 4 to explore the opportunities for Big Data in construction.
Automation Engineer at Consolidated Contractors International Company
Clean Fuels Project, CCC, Mina Abdullah, Kuwait • Client: Kuwait National Petroleum Company, Project Type: Oil and Gas, Project Value: $3.4 Billion • Synthesised IT strategy and led systems implementation for procurement, material control, cost control, progress monitoring, and advanced work packaging. • Initiated and developed the first fully integrated civil project control system for oil and gas projects which reduced data collection time by 60% for reporting • Analyzed and optimized the supply chain; identified deficiencies to reduce Purchase Order approval time by 40% Bab Habshan Oil and Gas Project, Abu Dhabi, UAE • Client: Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations, Project Type: Oil and Gas, Contract Value: $178 Million • Achieved a productivity increase of 20% as acting lead of visual project solution’s by applying lean construction concepts, front end loading, and workface planning. Midfield Terminal Building, Abu Dhabi, UAE • Client: Abu Dhabi Airports, Project Type: Infrastructure, Project Value: $2.9 Billion • Analyzed and submitted progress and cost reports for Steel and Concrete disciplines to senior project staff.
Summer Intern at Consolidated Contractors International Company
Education
MPhil in Engineering for Sustainable Development at University of Cambridge
I studied how reliable, accurate data is essential for achieving net zero in the built environment.
BEng in Civil Engineering at University of Warwick
I built my foundational knowledge in civil engineering before transitioning into digital transformation and software.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mo Shana'a?
I co-founded Morta because controls and governance are broken in construction. While the industry talked about AI, robotics, 3D printing and digital transformation, the foundational control layer wasn't working. Teams running complex projects on hundreds of disconnected spreadsheets, no real visibility over what's happening, and endless manual admin holding everything together. Morta is the connected controls and governance platform for AEC delivery. The name comes from mortar, the binding age
What is Mo Shana'a's professional background?
Mo Shana'a's experience includes: CEO & Co-Founder at Morta (Jan 2018 – Present); EF11 Cohort Member at Entrepreneur First (Sep 2018 – Apr 2019); Associate to the Chief Information Officer at Consolidated Contractors International Company (Oct 2016 – Sep 2018); Student Consultant at Mace (Jan 2016 – Mar 2016); Automation Engineer at Consolidated Contractors International Company (Oct 2013 – Sep 2015); Summer Intern at Consolidated Contractors International Company (Jul 2011 – Sep 2011).
Where did Mo Shana'a study?
MPhil in Engineering for Sustainable Development at University of Cambridge; BEng in Civil Engineering at University of Warwick.
How can I find Mo Shana'a online?
Mo Shana'a can be found at: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/mshanaa, X: https://x.com/mo_shanaa.
Who does Mo Shana'a know?
Mo Shana'a is connected with: Adrien Guilmineau ↗.