BBBC 11/05 - Matrak's Bold Moves Into China's Construction Industry, InfraMarket's Dominance In India And The Future Of Construction In The East
In this conversation, Owen, Martin, and Shub discuss the Australian company Matrak, which focuses on supply chain management in the construction industry. They explore the implications of the company's recent expansion into China and the challenges of doing business in the Chinese market. They also compare Matrak to InfraMarket, a similar company in India, and discuss their different approaches and business models. The conversation concludes with a lighthearted discussion about favorite British cuisines.
Takeaways
Matrak is a company that provides real-time visibility and integration for supply chains in the construction industry.
The company recently expanded into China, despite the challenges and uncertainties of doing business in the Chinese market.
Matrak's pricing structure is based on a subscription model, with different tiers based on user needs.
InfraMarket, a similar company in India, focuses on the quality and reliability of the supply chain, but does not offer the same level of real-time visibility as Matrak.
Favorite British cuisines vary among the participants, with Indian food being a popular choice
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Unfortunate News
00:43 Discussion on Matrak and Supply Chain Management
08:55 Western Startups Expanding into China
09:36 Matrak and InfraMarket: Different Approaches
13:10 Matrak's Integrated Visibility System
20:21 Favorite British Cuisines
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Bricks & Bytes
Enscape's Journey From Idea To Exit - Moritz Luck, Co-Founder & CEO
Note: This is a Re-Release of an episode that was originally released on Bricks, Bucks & Bytes.
In this episode, we had Moritz, co-founder of Enscape, and we got to learn about his journey from a university project to a game-ZZZ 3D rendering software... and many more!
Tune in to find out about:
✅ How Enscape evolved from a VR treadmill idea to revolutionizing architectural visualization
✅ Why focusing on customer happiness trumps optimizing for investor metrics
✅ The power of community-driven marketing in the AEC industry
✅ The future of AI in rendering and its impact on existing tools
Listen now on Spotify to hear Moritz's insights on building a successful startup, navigating acquisitions, and the future of design technology.
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Bricks & Bytes
Built's Path to becoming a $1.5B Construction Tech Unicorn
Note : This episode is a re-release of an episode that was initially released at Groundbreakers."It turns out in construction and real estate, there's a lot of big problems. There's an abundance of them." - This candid observation from Built Technologies' CEO perfectly captures why construction tech is ripe for disruption.In our latest conversation with Chase Gilbert, he reveals Built's journey from working with three community banks to becoming a construction tech unicorn that processes over $200 billion in annual construction spend. He breaks down the strategic decision to start with lenders and how it became their path to industry-wide transformation.Tune in to discover:✅ Why "following the money" upstream was the key to market penetration✅ How they turned an 11-person process into a 2-person operation✅ The strategy behind reducing loan processing from 5 days to same-day✅ Why being "long-term greedy" is crucial for sustainable growthListen to the full episode on Spotify to hear Chase's complete breakdown of building a construction tech unicorn.-------------Chapters00:00 Intro02:28 Building a Unicorn in Construction Tech05:04 Identifying and Solving Industry Problems06:40 The Genesis of Built Technologies18:16 Revenue Generation and Business Model26:56 The Importance of Following the Money30:52 Efficiency Metrics and Impact on Lenders38:05 The Landscape of Construction Loans40:42 Navigating the Banking Ecosystem44:19 Go-to-Market Strategy for Financial Institutions49:23 Value-Based Pricing Models50:06 Key Lessons in Scaling a Startup53:28 Building and Maintaining Company Culture59:37 Understanding Unicorn Valuation01:11:01 The IPO Journey and Long-Term Vision
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Bricks & Bytes
From Carpenter at 12 to Stanford & Silicon Valley - How Sarah Built an AI to Process Construction Documents & Raised $20M in just 10 Days
"I had my first startup when I was five years old and I stole my parents' Polaroid camera and went to the local fair and sold people on Polaroids."
In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we had Dr. Sarah Buchner, founder of Trunk Tools, and we got to learn about her journey from carpenter to tech entrepreneur, the challenges of unstructured data in construction, and how AI is revolutionizing the industry.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ How Trunk Tools is building the "brain behind construction"
✅ The staggering amount of documentation in a typical construction project
✅ Why most construction tech fails to gain adoption
✅ How AI agents are automating bureaucratic tasks in construction
Listen now on Spotify to hear Dr. Buchner's insights on the future of construction technology and how Trunk Tools is empowering builders to focus on what they do best.
OpenAI Turner Mega Deal, OpenSpace Buys Disperse, Government Shutdown Impact on Construction & Startup Valuation Truth Bombs
In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Owen, Martin, Patrick, and Dustin break down what happens when a fully remote startup brings everyone together IRL—plus two major construction tech deals that have everyone talking.Dustin opens up about Ediphi's first all-hands offsite (spoiler: his team didn't win the escape room), before the crew dives into the chaos of government shutdowns and what they actually mean for construction.Then things get spicy with the OpenAI x Turner deal that's got LinkedIn in a frenzy, and Jeevan from OpenSpace and Oli from Disperse join to talk about their recently announced acquisition.Topics covered:Why company offsites are worth every penny for remote teamsThe real cost of government shutdowns on construction projectsTurner's $30M OpenAI deal and what it means for GCsInside the OpenSpace + Disperse acquisitionThe uncomfortable truth about startup valuations and M&A"You're not worth that much money when you raise at 30 million or 50 million. You're not truly worth that. It's buying a future." - Dustin DeVanPlus: Owen debuts the new Bricks & Bytes merch, Dustin reveals his founder health transformation (no Ozempic involved), and the team debates whether construction tech is ripe for consolidation.Our Sponsor: Archdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.comBuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.ioAphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.coChapters00:00 Intro01:43 Introduction to Company Offsites 07:46 The Importance of Company Offsites 11:42 Government Shutdown in the U.S. 21:00 Turner Construction's Deal with OpenAI 24:20 Exploring OpenAI's Impact on Construction 27:18 The Challenges of Implementing AI in Estimation 29:53 Creative Commercial Deals and Revenue Sharing 31:19 The Role of AI in Streamlining Workflows 34:38 Standardizing Processes for Effective AI Integration 38:58 The Future of Legal Services in the Age of AI 42:21 The Human Element in Legal and Engineering Services 49:34 The Acquisition Journey: From Partnership to Integration 53:03 Leadership Changes and Strategic Growth 57:09 Product Roadmap and Customer Experience 1:00:05 Navigating Competition in Construction Tech 1:01:55 Future of Acquisitions in Construction Tech
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
nPlan Raises £11.9M Series B, AI Agents Lack Evals Crisis, WhatsApp Dominates 90% Site Communication
"Most AI Agents Will Die" - Why This CTO Is Terrified About What's Coming
In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, hosts Owen Drury, Martin, and Patric Hellermann sit down with some of construction tech's boldest builders who aren't holding back. Fresh off massive funding rounds and hard-won lessons, they reveal what's really happening behind the hype.
What we cover: - nPlan's £11.9M Series B - Alan Mosca (CTO) explains why they accidentally solved molecule generation while building scheduling AI- Factors' $56M raise - How they're financing $250-300M of construction work annually (and the "trick" banks don't want you to know)- The AI agent apocalypse - Why lack of evaluation frameworks will "kill off most agents"- WhatsApp is eating construction tech - 90% of site communication happens here, and smart founders are finally paying attention- Smart glasses revolution - Why this could be as transformative as mobile phones on construction sites- AI consultancies without humans - The controversial future of PM firms charging on outcomes, not hours- Why one founder stopped fundraising - "Customer money is the best capital" and why raising is a "massive distraction"- 5 accelerators, 5 lessons - Prakash Senghani (Navatech) on contradictory advice and what actually works in the Middle East- Regional pricing secrets - Why per-user pricing fails in the UAE and what to do instead
Key Quote:"I think we're getting to a stage where AI is going to become like the internet, right? You don't tell people that my app runs on the internet. That's obvious. You're going to get to a stage where your app has AI. Yeah, that's obvious, right? What are you doing with it? What's the outcome?" - Prakash Senghani
Featuring: Alan Mosca (nPlan CTO), Nitin Bhandari (Planera), and Prakash Senghani (Navatech)
🎧 Listen to the Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3P7JkiN9X3N4Kh6jlDsOgi?si=91JP5nxvQbKStkp8AQdAOg 📩 Subscribe to the Bricks & Bytes Newsletter: https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/🌐 Visit our website: http://bricks-bytes.com/
📲 Follow us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/ Twitter: https://x.com/bricksbytespod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/
Sponsors:BuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.ioArchdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.com
Enjoying the insights? Hit that Subscribe button to stay ahead in construction tech, AI, and the future of how we build.
Chapters00:00 Intro02:12 Introduction and Guest Introduction04:61 Funding News and Company Growth08:03 Technological Innovations in Scheduling10:40 Generative Models and Unexpected Discoveries13:31 Developing Custom Models for Specific Tasks16:24 The Importance of Data and Research19:08 Convergence of Machine Learning Techniques22:13 AI Skepticism and Misuse24:52 The Future of AI in Construction Tech28:08 Collaborative Scheduling and User Experience30:57 Evaluating AI Performance33:36 Insights from Nitin on Data Center Construction36:32 Planera's Unique Approach to Scheduling39:28 The Role of AI in Scheduling42:20 Lessons from Past Collaborative Tools45:18 The Future of Scheduling Technology46:33 Introduction and Context Setting47:25 Navigating Growing Pains in Business48:17 The Role of AI in Business Operations49:44 Understanding the Product and Its Impact51:14 Practical Applications of AI in Safety54:45 Target Customers and Market Strategy55:48 Shifting Gears: The Future of Construction Tech1:00:17 The Evolution of Software and Company Structures1:04:09 Current Business Climate in the Region1:06:13 The Rise of Construction Tech Startups1:10:05 Experiences with Accelerators1:15:39 Pricing Strategies for Startups1:18:41 Conclusion and Future Outlook
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
Procore’s AI Bomb, Should VCs Pick Ideas, Revolutionary Site Layout Tool
Last week at Groundbreak, Procore launched Helix AI Agents claiming to make startups like Trunk Tools and Datagrid "obsolete overnight."In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, we invited Datagrid's CEO Tiago to respond (spoiler: he ghosted us... draw your own conclusions 👀)Owen, Martin, Dustin, and Patric also dives into one of the most controversial questions in startup investing: Should founders ask VCs for business ideas?In this episode:Why asking investors for startup ideas means you're already losingThe real reason big corporations can never innovate from withinWhere the truth about building outlier businesses actually liesWhy construction tech is heating up right now (and nobody knows what's coming)The Procore AI agent announcement that's shaking up the industryHow to find insights that actually matter (hint: it's not from VCs)The Brutal Reality: "If a VC had such a unique insight on that business, it would almost be a compelling enough reason to leave their job to pursue it because those things are so special and so rare"The construction tech arena is heating up. Big announcements. Bold claims. But who's actually solving real problems?If you're building in construction tech, this episode reveals the playbook no one's talking about.Watch the full breakdown before everyone else figures it out.
Chapters00:00 Intro01:32 Introduction to Business Ideas and AI Agents04:21 The Role of Investors in Business Ideation07:26 The Nature of Outlier Businesses10:05 The Limitations of VC Insights13:01 The Impact of New Browsers on Market Dynamics15:54 Procore's AI Agent Announcement and Industry Reactions18:51 Comparing Procore with Competitors28:01 Procore's Evolving Submittal Process29:04 Market Dominance and Industry Assumptions29:45 AI's Role in Construction Tech30:59 Data Activation Challenges32:10 The Importance of Data Connectivity33:54 Market Power and Vendor Lock-in34:23 Assumptions in the Construction Tech Landscape35:34 Tracy's Insights on Startup Strategies36:44 Defensibility in Construction Tech38:28 Collaboration and Network Effects39:20 Introduction to Mechasys40:07 Innovative Layout Solutions42:29 As-Built Documentation and Modifications44:29 Comparing Layout Solutions46:15 Hardware Development and Manufacturing49:20 Accuracy and Cost Competitiveness51:39 Understanding BOM Costs in Manufacturing54:32 Product Versatility and Customer Needs55:23 Innovations in Construction Management Software01:00:06 Challenges Faced by Residential Contractors01:04:21 The Importance of Estimating in Construction01:08:04 Navigating the Competitive Landscape of Construction Tech
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
Buildots Acquisition, Procore Groundbreak’s Awkward Week, Pre-Con Is On Fire
Buildots acquired workforce tracking company Genda – combining progress monitoring with real-time worker data in a way their competitors can't match.In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Owen, Martin, Patric, and Dustin dig into the week's biggest stories in construction tech, from strategic acquisitions to what actually happened at Groundbreak.Key topics discussed:Why Buildots bought Genda and how tracking workforce alongside progress creates a competitive edge (especially for catching inflated change orders)Dustin's firsthand account of Procore's Groundbreak keynote – an hour about AI agents, but almost nothing about solving real construction problemsThe awkward moment when Tooey handed over CEO duties, and why the transition felt rushed and unpreparedLuigi La Corte from Provision explains how skimping on branding early hurt their credibility with customers (even while being capital efficient)A proper argument about 2D takeoffs: Dustin thinks they'll be commoditized, Luigi defends why 99% accuracy mattersCandid Intelligence's claim they can compress years of pre-construction work into hours (and what that actually means)The reality that contractors will never blindly trust AI quantities – and for good reason"If you don't do your own branding early, someone else will do your branding for you." – Luigi La Corte, ProvisionDustin also teases some Groundbreak gossip he can't share yet. You'll have to wait until next week.Sponsors:Archdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.comBuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.ioChapters:00:00 Intro01:30 Introduction to BuildDots and Recent Acquisition04:32 The Importance of Workforce Tracking in Construction07:23 Challenges in Merging Progress and Workforce Tracking10:21 Insights on Acquisition Strategies and Market Dynamics13:30 Evaluating the Impact of Acquisitions on Competitive Landscape16:25 Procore and Autodesk: A Shift Towards AI19:12 Leadership Transition and Strategic Vision at Procore29:01 Introduction and Recent Developments30:49 Debate on Commoditization of Construction Tech33:58 The Importance of Data Sets in Estimation37:03 Challenges in Achieving Accuracy in Construction Estimates40:56 The Role of AI in Construction Management43:49 The Future of AI and Human Collaboration48:01 Capital Efficiency and Branding in Construction Tech51:53 Marketing Strategies and Customer Engagement53:19 Trust in Quantification Tools55:34 Transitioning Leadership in Tech Companies57:15 Innovations in Pre-Construction Processes01:01:34 Challenges in Construction Technology Adoption01:08:39 Building a Startup in Construction Tech01:11:29 Investor Relations and Business Growth Strategies
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