AI Won't Save Bad Construction Companies - Solving Tech Adoption Problems from VC Perspective
"AI in construction isn't just hype - we're in construction, so we know nobody will deploy solutions based on hype alone."In today's episode of Brick and Bytes, we had Vivin Hegde from Zakua Ventures sharing insights on construction tech investments and market trends.Tune in to find out about:✅ Why robotics is becoming essential in construction (labor shortage is only getting worse)✅ The three-tier approach to AI adoption in construction tech✅ Why FlexNode's modular data centers could grow faster than any construction tech startup in 15 years✅ How geopolitical uncertainty is reshaping construction tech investment prioritiesVivin also shared fascinating details about their recent investments in excavator automation, real estate platforms, and next-gen robotics. If you're interested in where construction tech is heading, this episode is packed with valuable insights!Listen now on Spotify:
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Bricks & Bytes
12 Hour Quotes - Shepherd’s Industry Leading Insurance for Construction Companies + Path to $10m Revenue
Most insurance carriers use 5-10 different systems just to price one submission. One CEO figured out how to do it in 12 hours instead of weeks.In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we had Justin Levine and we got to learn about how he's revolutionizing construction insurance by rewarding tech adoption, scaling to double-digit millions in revenue, and why reality capture tools reduce claims by 40-50%... and many more!Tune in to find out about: ✅ How Shepherd shifts tech funding from contractors to insurance providers ✅ Why underwriters completely ignore technology when pricing policies ✅ The broken insurance process that takes weeks vs their 12-hour turnaround ✅ How construction tech partnerships create win-win scenarios for everyoneJustin's journey from civil engineer to risk manager to successful exit with TradeTap to building Shepherd shows exactly how deep industry knowledge combined with the right business model can disrupt billion-dollar markets.Listen now on Spotify to hear the full conversation about transforming construction insurance.Chapters---------------Chapters00:00 Introduction to Shepherd and Its Business Model04:53 The Evolution of TradeTap and Its Acquisition10:08 Transitioning from Startups to Corporate Culture14:52 The Unique Approach of Shepherd in Insurance19:59 Understanding the Underwriting Process and Technology's Role25:01 Shepherd's Market Position and Customer Base35:40 Understanding the Enterprise Sales Model43:41 Go-to-Market Strategy and Sales Dynamics51:07 Organizing for Growth and Market Fit01:00:28 Partnership Philosophy and Building Relationships
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Bricks & Bytes
AI Will Transform Your Construction GTM Strategy - The Go-To-Market Playbook That Built a Billion-Dollar ConTech
"I remember bringing Tracy Young to my job site when PlanGrid was just an MVP. She offered us the software for free - we just needed to provide the iPads. My PM and PX didn't get it. They told me, 'Don't waste my time like that again.'"In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we had Tom Feliz share his journey from construction sites to tech leadership at Data Grid. Tom unpacks the secrets behind effective Go-To-Market strategies in construction tech, drawing from his experiences at OpenSpace, Autodesk, and more.Tune in to find out about:✅ Why solving real industry pain points is the foundation of any successful ConTech product✅ How to identify your Ideal Customer Profile across the construction value chain✅ Why the construction volume pricing model needs to change✅ The emergence of the "Go-To-Market Engineer" and how AI is transforming salesListen to the full episode on Spotify to learn how Tom closed 5 enterprise deals in one week and why he believes agentic AI is the future of construction.------------Chapters00:00 Intro02:30 Introduction to the Conversation07:30 Tom Feliz's Journey in Construction Tech12:37 Key Components of a Successful Go-To-Market Strategy17:42 Understanding the Construction Industry's Unique Challenges22:21 Identifying Ideal Customer Profiles (ICPs) in Construction Tech27:36 Navigating the Buying Process Across Different Company Sizes31:26 The Importance of Social Proof in Construction Tech32:23 Targeting the Mid-Market: A Strategic Approach35:18 Navigating Enterprise Sales in Construction37:19 Freemium Models and Proof of Value38:47 Rethinking Pricing Models in Construction Tech41:50 The Role of FOMO in Sales Conversations45:37 Key Metrics for Construction Tech Success49:47 The Personal Connection to Construction51:38 The Impact of Our Actions52:32 Tools for Go-To-Market Success54:24 The Rise of Agentic AI in Sales58:33 The Importance of Discovery in Sales01:04:35 Resource Allocation in Sales Strategy01:06:37 Traits of a Great Salesperson01:09:36 When to Hire a Head of Sales
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Bricks & Bytes
Procore's 4 Steps to Save the Industry - Kris Lengieza - VP of Procore
"53% of the construction workforce is expected to retire by 2036. And that number is going up, not down."In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we had Kris from Procore and we got to learn about their just-released Future State of Construction 2025 report, which reveals how technology will transform productivity, design, decision-making, and the workforce crisis.Tune in to find out about:✅ Why contractors, not architects, will own more of the design process in the future✅ How construction teams lose 18% of project time just searching for information✅ The shift from "gut feeling" decisions to data-driven insights using AI✅ Why Procore is building "Agent Studio" to create company-specific AI you can actually trustListen now on Spotify and discover how construction's digital transformation is finally solving its biggest challenges.-----------------Chapters00:00 Intro02:50 Introduction and Industry Growth03:49 Leadership Changes at Procore04:51 The Future State of Construction Report06:47 Future of Productivity in Construction13:59 Addressing Data Search Challenges17:49 Rework and Its Causes19:46 Future of Design and Automation22:54 Case Studies in Construction Technology26:59 Future of Workforce and Talent Retention 38:25 The Intersection of Opportunity and Wealth in Construction39:00 Cultural Drivers in the Construction Industry42:21 Data-Driven Decision Making in Construction46:48 Building Trust in AI and Automation54:55 The Future of Design in Construction01:06:09 Inspiring Transformation in the Construction Industry
2026 Construction Industry, $3 Billion Construction Tech Exits, Canvas Robotics Acquired, Pre-Con Debates & LinkedIn Content Crisis
Is $3 Billion the New Normal for Construction Tech Exits?In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Owen, Patric, Martin, and Dustin kick off 2026 with hot takes, bold predictions, and a no-holds-barred discussion on what's really happening in construction tech.What we cover:The 2026 construction industry trends everyone's talking about (data centers, manufacturing plateaus, and the office market reality)Why LinkedIn has become a wasteland of AI-generated garbage and what actually works nowPatric's spicy prediction: "$3 billion exits in construction tech in 2026"The great pre-construction debate: Can you really reduce years of work to minutes?Why most tech companies are marketing to VCs instead of actual customers (and how to spot the BS)Canvas Robotics gets acquired by JLG - what this means for the robotics waveSteve Dellorto from ConCntric joins to talk about his 26 years at Clark Construction and why pre-con is brokenThe most ridiculous products from CES 2026 (AI-powered hair clippers, anyone?)A heated debate on socialism, taxes, and why New York's mayor might be the worst businessman in AmericaKey quote: "It was never easier to start a business, but it was also never more difficult to build a great business." - PatricOur Sponsor:Aphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.coArchdesk - “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.ioChapters00:00:00 Intro00:01:09 Introduction to 2026 Construction Trends 00:04:09 CES Conference Highlights and Innovations 00:07:08 Shifts in Construction Project Types 00:10:21 The Impact of Social Media on Industry Trends 00:13:13 The Evolution of Content Creation and Marketing 00:16:09 The Future of Business Models in Tech 00:19:21 The Role of People in Business Success 00:22:09 Reflections on Quality in Content and Business 00:25:15 Closing Thoughts and Future Directions 00:28:26 Trends in Construction Mergers and Acquisitions 00:31:49 The Impact of Tariffs and Supply Chain Localization 00:35:34 Global Economic Shifts and Their Effects on Construction 00:40:02 The Rise of Offsite Manufacturing in Construction 00:43:03 Advancements in Robotics and AI in Construction 00:48:03 Green Building Mandates and Energy Challenges 00:53:38 Innovations in Pre-Construction Technology 00:59:47 Transitioning from Construction to Tech 01:01:14 Building Effective Teams in Tech 01:02:49 Customer Engagement in Tech 01:04:24 Project-First Focus in Construction Tech 01:06:16 The Reality of Pre-Construction 01:07:36 Building for Builders 01:09:01 Ridiculous Innovations from CES 01:16:07 Best Recent Purchases
A $100,000+ Christmas party, strip clubs as corporate bonding, and a secret betting ring—this is how construction tech really celebrates.In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, hosts Owen, Martin, and Dustin close out 2024 with Santa hats, sick days, and the unfiltered truth about the AEC industry's wildest traditions.In this festive year-end special, you'll hear about:The two-week closed beta of their AEC prediction market experiment and why it's harder to execute than anyone expectedDustin's legendary Building Connected Christmas party where they blew over $100K knowing they were about to get acquired (casino night, no budget limits, zero regrets)Why construction industry Christmas parties always end with at least one fight and HR scrambling the next dayEquipment Share's IPO filing and why 2026 could see three major AEC tech companies go publicThe leaderboard drama where Dustin bet big on himself for "best looking host" and actually won"I don't know if that time will ever come again because money was treated very differently." – Dustin DeVan on Silicon Valley's glory daysThe crew signs off until January 8th with holiday cheer, confession-booth honesty, and predictions for an even wilder 2026.Our Sponsor:Aphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.coArchdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.comBuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.ioChapters01:06 Holiday Cheer and Predictions 03:52 Exploring Prediction Markets06:50 Reflections on Christmas Parties 09:45 Media Influence and Public Sentiment 12:37 Personal and Company Growth in 2025 18:01 Looking Ahead to 2026 in Construction Tech 25:16 The Software Selection Dilemma 27:07 The AI Landscape in Construction 28:34 Anticipating Acquisitions in 2026 31:20 The Great Debate: Cloud vs. Desktop Solutions 38:58 Innovative Marketing in Construction Tech 50:36 The Risk of Bold Marketing in AEC 52:50 Building Effective Marketing Teams for Startups 55:05 Navigating Marketing Strategies for Startups 56:34 Insights on Rebranding Strategies 57:52 The Future of Marketing in AEC 01:00:23 Debate Recap: AI in Construction Estimating 01:07:12 Christmas Traditions and Predictions for 2026
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
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
PlanGrid Founders Return to Construction, 27% of GCs Using Personal Funds, $9.2M Nextlight Raise, AI Go-To-Market Race, with Will Mitchell from Rabbit
27% of contractors are using PERSONAL MONEY to keep their businesses alive—and it's worse than you think.In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Owen, Dustin, and Martin break down the biggest shakeups in construction tech, from the PlanGrid founders' surprise return to AI, to the shocking payment crisis threatening to sink contractors across the industry.We’re joined by Will Mitchell from Rabbit, David from Nextlight, and Vardhan Mehta from Aislab to unpack what's really happening in construction payments, energy efficiency, and materials management.Key Topics:Tiger Eye's big pivot: Why Tracy Young and Ralph Gootee are bringing AI back to construction after PlanGridThe AI arms race: Will there be one winner or will construction tech fragment like consumer markets?Rabbit's 2025 Construction Payments Report: 44% of firms are getting paid late and 20% hit negative cash flowThe personal finance nightmare: Why nearly 1 in 3 GCs are dipping into their own pockets to cover payrollNextlight's $9.2M Series A: How smart window coatings can slash building energy costs by 25%Aislab's $13.5M raise: The two-sided marketplace that's won over half the top 100 AEC firms"None of these companies are building their own foundational models. They're using other people's models. So I think it's going to be a go-to-market race." — Dustin DeVanSponsors: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.comAphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.coChapters 00:00 Intro01:30 Introduction to New AI Player in Construction 04:16 Trimble Dimensions: Key Takeaways 07:10 The Future of AI in Construction 10:11 Trimble's Innovations and Market Position 12:56 Challenges in Construction Payments 15:50 Insights from the 2025 Construction Payments Report 38:35 The Challenges of Payment Processes in Construction 41:46 Incentives for Faster Payments42:44 The Impact of Payment Delays on Project Costs 45:26 Innovations in Payment Solutions 48:26 Advancements in Energy Control Coatings 51:22 The Future of Coating Technologies 57:17 The Role of Patents in Tangible vs. Software Businesses 59:10 Building a Robust Materials Management System 01:09:06 Funding and Growth Strategies for Startups