Interview

Gene Eidelman is a serial entrepreneur and real estate developer with over four decades of experience building thousands of homes and multiple startups across the U.S. Originally from Ukraine, he immigrated to the United States more than 40 years ago and has since established a reputation for blending business acumen with a passion for innovation. As a speaker, author, and advocate for sustainable development, Gene brings a global perspective to local housing challenges, with a sharp focus on affordability, speed, and environmental impact.

In 2019, he co-founded Azure Printed Homes, a California-based construction technology company that is revolutionizing the housing industry through 3D printing with recycled materials. By turning plastic waste into livable, durable structures, Azure addresses both the housing crisis and the global waste problem.

In this interview, Gene discusses the company’s origins, its unique technology, recent milestones, and its role in rebuilding communities affected by natural disasters. He also shares insights on scaling responsibly and what’s ahead for Azure in the coming years.

Q: Tell us about Azure Printed Homes—how did the company start, and what problem are you solving?

Azure Printed Homes was born out of necessity. The construction industry is too slow, too costly, and too resource-intensive to meet today’s needs. We launched in 2019 with a mission to make housing more sustainable, scalable, and accessible. Our breakthrough came in 2022 when we patented a technology that 3D prints entire structures using recycled polymers and fiberglass. It’s a win-win: we divert plastic waste from landfills while constructing durable homes up to 70% faster and 30% more cost-effectively than traditional methods.

Q: What inspired you to enter the housing and construction space in such an innovative way?

I’ve spent decades in real estate and construction and have seen firsthand the limitations of conventional building. But I also saw an opportunity—housing hadn’t truly evolved. Meanwhile, the world was facing a growing affordable housing crisis and an environmental emergency. When I met my co-founder Ross Maguire, an engineer with extensive construction and development experience and a bold vision for innovation, I knew we had a chance to do something radically better.

“Azure Printed Homes was born out of necessity. The construction industry is too slow, too costly, and too resource-intensive to meet today’s needs.”

Q: What types of housing or products do you offer today?

We offer a product line that ranges from luxury glamping units to backyard ADUs, tiny homes on wheels, and large single-family homes. We also work with cities and nonprofits to provide transitional housing for wildfire victims, the unhoused, and disaster recovery zones. In September 2025, we’ll showcase one of our units at HUD’s Innovative Housing Showcase on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.—a major milestone.

Q: How is your technology different from other prefab or modular construction companies?

Most prefab companies still rely on traditional materials and processes. We are the first in the world to 3D print entire structures using recycled plastic materials. We also have a prefab system that creates walls from light-gauge steel. Our system combines robotic precision, minimal waste, and proprietary software—all under one roof. The result is a vertically integrated, sustainable, and highly efficient construction process.

Q: What recent traction or recognition has Azure received?

We’ve received over $35 million in pre-orders, and the number keeps growing. In 2025, we received the SXSW Innovation Award for Urban Experience, were named Innovator of the Year by the National Association of Realtors, and were recognized by Fast Company as one of the ten most innovative real estate companies. My TEDx talk, “How Building A Home In Four Weeks Can Change Four Generations,” surpassed half a million views in its first year. This year, we’re expanding nationally with a new factory in Colorado opening in 2025, followed by additional facilities in the Midwest and on the East Coast in 2026 and 2027. Global expansion will begin in 2027.

Q: How do you finance and grow a company like this?

We raised a $5 million seed round and secured a $3.9 million low-interest financing package from the State of Colorado in 2024. Right now, we’re raising our Series A round through wefunder.com/Azure to support expansion and innovation. This is an incredible opportunity to invest at an early stage of our growth.

Q: How are you contributing to disaster recovery efforts and affordable housing?

We’ve already built homes for victims of the Woolsey Fires in Malibu, CA, and we’re now involved in rebuilding efforts for 16,000 homeowners who lost homes in Palisades and Altadena earlier this year. Our goal is to be the go-to partner for fast, sustainable housing after wildfires, floods, and other emergencies. We’re also working with nonprofits like DignityMoves and applying for federal and state housing initiatives to bring relief and innovation where it’s needed most.

Q: You’ve mentioned rebuilding efforts in Los Angeles. Can you tell us more about the opportunity to build homes for 16,000 people who lost their homes?

Absolutely. Earlier this year, devastating wildfires displaced an estimated 16,000 homeowners in Los Angeles County alone. This isn’t just a crisis—it’s a call to action. We’re working with local officials, community organizations, and investors to launch scalable rebuilding efforts using our 3D-printed modular and prefab housing technologies. With our ability to build durable homes quickly and cost-effectively, Azure is uniquely positioned to respond to emergencies like this. Our goal is not just to rebuild homes—but to rebuild hope.

Q: What does it take to mobilize for a housing effort of this size, and how can others get involved?

It takes partnerships at every level—government support, community collaboration, and private investment. We’re in talks with stakeholders across the board and preparing logistics and site plans to begin building where it’s needed most. But we can’t do it alone. We welcome partnerships with landowners, housing agencies, investors, and philanthropists who want to make a meaningful and lasting impact. This is one of the largest rebuilding efforts in recent history, and we have a chance to lead by example.

Q: What’s the biggest challenge you’re facing right now?

Scaling while staying true to our mission. There’s enormous demand—homeowners, cities, developers, and resorts are all reaching out. The challenge is to grow responsibly, maintain high quality, and expand manufacturing capacity without losing focus. Fortunately, we’ve built an incredible team that’s ready to take Azure to the next level.

Q: What advice would you give entrepreneurs trying to disrupt a legacy industry?

Solve a real problem, team up with people who complement your strengths, and don’t be afraid to question long-standing assumptions. Most importantly, stay grounded in your mission. For us, it’s not just about building homes—it’s about rebuilding lives, communities, and the planet.

Q: What can we expect from Azure in the next 12-24 months?

We’ll open two new factories, expand into multi-story buildings, and continue integrating AI into design and sales. We’re also growing internationally and working with organizations focused on affordable housing, sustainable tourism, and emergency relief. We believe the future of construction is circular, digital, and deeply human—and we’re building that future every day.