OpenSpace Is Changing Construction Documentation Forever | 25 Billion Sq. Ft. Captured in 3D | Jeevan Kalanithi CEO, Openspace
Imagine having every inch of your job site documented in 3D and available on your fingertip.
In today's episode, we sit down and talk to Jeevan Kalanithi - a Stanford and MIT graduate and CEO of OpenSpace.
Join us as Jeevan shares his fascinating journey from studying at Stanford and MIT to launching hardware startups to founding OpenSpace.
He explains how his user-friendly reality-capture technology is transforming a document-centric industry by giving architects and builders unprecedented visibility into their job sites through updated 3D visuals.
Tune in and learn how:
OpenSpace catalogued over 25 billion square feet of visual job site data
Visual record allows problems to be resolved virtually instead of reworking the physical world, reducing rework and labour costs
Project stakeholders can instantly align on issues by virtually stepping into current job site conditions instead of puzzling over descriptions
As construction data becomes immersive and visual, new AI-powered insights and capabilities become possible
And a lot more …
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This episode is brought to you by Shft—helping contractors like you leverage BIM to secure a leading position in the race towards construction’s digital future.
Visit: https://maketheshft.digital
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Timestamps:
(00:00:00-00:07:10) Intro
(00:07:10-00:12:00) REality Capture In Construction
(00:12:00-00:25:40) About OpenSpace
(00:25:40-00:29:10) Cost Reduction Due To Reality Capture
(00:29:10-00:44:50) How To Grow A Business From 0
(00:44:50-00:45:57) Outro
read more
Bricks & Bytes
From Oppression to £13 BN Opportunity. From Idea to Investment. | Inside QFlow with Brittany Harris
In today’s episode, we have Brittany Harris, Co-Founder at QFlow.
Have you ever wondered how to secure funding in an old, tradition-bound industry like construction?
In this episode, Brittany Harris, Co-Founder at Qualis Flow shares her inspiring story. We hear about the challenges she conquered, the lessons she learned, and how she built QFlow attracting millions in investment.
She talks about new ways technology can decarbonize, streamline processes, increase transparency, and help us *leave the world a better place*.
This talk is more than data-driven sustainable construction; it's about breaking barriers in an old industry, creating new paradigm shifts and believing in the 'impossible'.
Tune in and learn:
How Qflow helps contractors eliminate hundreds of admin hours tracking materials and compliance documentation
How they grew over 200% year-on-year between seed and series A funding
The methods she used to raise $9.1 million in 3 months (when investors told them it would take 9 months)
The staggering £13 billion opportunity to reuse and resell construction materials that currently go straight to landfill from site
Interested in sustainable construction? Looking to raise funds for your startup? Follow Brittany Harris here on LinkedIn.
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This episode is brought to you by Shft—the BIM partner you need to fill the gap in your digital skills and tackle your BIM needs, end-to-end.
Visit: https://maketheshft.digital
Timestamps:
(00:00:00-00:02:57) Intro
(00:02:57-00:08:25) About Qualis FLow
(00:08:25-00:20:55) Fund raising experience
(00:20:55-00:33:52) Advice for founders looking to raise money
(00:33:52-00:39:25) Issue of Construction Waste Management
(00:39:25-00:42:28) Experience as a woman leading startup in construction
(00:42:28-00:43:02) Outro
read more
Bricks & Bytes
$2.5 Billion Construction Director Predicts The Future of Tech in Construction - Mohamed Adel, Bird
In this episode, we have the privilege of sitting down with digital construction visionary Mohamed Adel, the man behind Bird Construction's bold digital transformation.
Hear him share his extraordinary stories on Dubai's towering sites - where lofty inspired designs clashed with ground realities of complex projects.
We ask Mohamed if it's possible to transform old processes into digital workflows. He tells us how he envisions the future blurred between the virtual and the physical (construction).
Tune in to hear Mohamed's story and explore a possible future where buildings rise faster, mistakes vanish, and the very language of construction is written in binary codes.
He also addresses some fundamental questions:
Can a single, open-source model become the ultimate collaboration tool, replacing siloed 2D drawings and endless email chains?
Can AI build seamless bridges between different software, ending the era of clunky integrations?
Does a future exist where the construction site is as intuitive as a video game, guided by the wisdom of real-time data?
The proven 5-7 year roadmap for rolling out new technologies without disruption projects
All this and more...
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Mohammed Adel | Digital Construction Director at Bird Construction
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This episode is brought to you by Shft—helping contractors like you leverage BIM to secure a leading position in the race towards construction’s digital future.
Visit: https://maketheshft.digital
Timestamps:
(00:00:00-00:02:19) Intro
(00:02:19-00:10:20) About Digital Construction & BIM
(00:10:20-00:19:17) How to get started with digital program
(00:19:17-00:36:35) Key Factors for succes with digitalization
(00:36:35-00:39:18) How to use technology for sustainability
(00:39:18-00:42:34) How to switch careers into digital construction
(00:42:34-00:43:09) Outro
read more
Bricks & Bytes
The Story Behind Joist: Building AI Tools for Construction Proposals
From bootstrapped startup to 7-figure revenue: How Joist is revolutionizing proposal automation in construction
In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Rohan Jawali, founder of Joist, who shared insights on building a profitable construction tech startup without external funding.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ How Joist is solving the universal problem of document management in construction
✅ The power of AI in streamlining proposal creation for mid-market AEC firms
✅ Why Joist chose profitability over rapid growth through venture capital
✅ The importance of staying close to customers and evolving product architecture
Listen to the full episode on Spotify to learn how Joist is transforming the way AEC firms handle proposals and content management, and gain valuable insights for founders and construction industry professionals alike.
$32M Series B: How Stratus is Revolutionizing MEP Workflows
"300 billion dollars for AI infrastructure in the next few years - but who will design and build it all?" - A thought-provoking insight from our latest conversation about the massive construction needs for AI's future.
In today's episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we learned about Stratus raising $32M Series B to revolutionize MEP contractors' digital workflows.
We explored how tech giants Microsoft, Amazon, and Google are planning to spend $300B on AI infrastructure construction, creating massive opportunities in the data center space.
Through Patric Hellermann's investor lens, we discovered why focusing on core infrastructure and authoring tools might be smarter than chasing AI-first solutions.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ How Stratus is transforming MEP contractor workflows from design to fabrication
✅ The emerging opportunities in data center construction and infrastructure
✅ Why owning authoring tools beats single-point AI features
✅ The strategic advantage of avoiding overcrowded AI-first solutions
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Stratus and AI in Construction
05:44 Understanding Stratus: MEP Workflows and Digital Solutions
11:21 The Role of AI in Design and Construction
17:00 The Future of Engineering: Human Touch vs. AI
24:01 Emerging Companies and Innovations in Construction Tech
24:35 Automation in Engineering Workflows
25:50 Massive Investments in AI Infrastructure
27:52 Emerging Startups in AI Data Centers
31:40 The Role of AI in Construction
35:00 Navigating the AI Gold Rush
37:33 The Inefficiency of Venture Capital Allocation
read more
Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
The Truth About 3D Printed Homes: A Deep Dive Into ICON's $450M Technology
Is 3D printing concrete homes worth the $450M investment?
In today's episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we got to learn that despite being a $2B company, ICON's 3D printed homes only show a tiny 0.5% carbon advantage over regular timber construction.
We also explored why Q4 2024 was special for construction tech - it grabbed nearly 1% of all VC funding, the second-highest share ever. Even more impressive given that 2024 saw the lowest overall VC funding since 2014.
The most striking insight came from questioning the basics - why use concrete, a material best for large-scale projects, to print single-family homes?
Tune in to find out about:
✅ What's driving Asia-Pacific's growing lead in construction tech funding
✅ Why 3D printed concrete homes struggle in wet climates
✅ Which parts of construction tech are actually getting funded
✅ How early-stage funding stayed strong while growth rounds dropped
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Technical Glitches
01:03 Recent News: ICON's Layoffs and Valuation
02:49 Exploring 3D Concrete Printing Technology
05:49 Sustainability Concerns in Concrete Printing
08:59 Comparative Analysis: Concrete vs. Timber Homes
12:04 Challenges in 3D Concrete Printing
14:56 Automation and Efficiency in Home Construction
18:09 Future of 3D Concrete Printing Technology
21:54 Challenges in 3D Concrete Printing
22:56 Market Fit for 3D Concrete Homes
24:04 Impact of Staff Reductions on Valuation
25:47 Understanding Company Valuations and Experiments
27:07 Applications of 3D Printing in Housing
29:02 First Principles of Cost in Construction
30:58 Trends in AEC Tech Funding
39:10 Market Dynamics and Future Predictions
read more
Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
Building a €450M Construction Tech Giant: How Philip Schröder's Marketing Built Germany's Latest Energy Tech Giant
"Your margin is my opportunity... unless you're selling outcomes in construction tech!"
In today's episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we explored 1KOMMA5°'s impressive €150M pre-IPO round and their unique approach of acquiring 30+ companies since 2021 to scale their energy tech business.
We also learned about an intriguing debate around whether companies can call themselves "market leaders" in Germany, sparked by a court case between 1KOMMA5° and their competitor.
The most fascinating insight came from Patric's take on fixed vs. variable costs in construction tech: Companies that produce with fixed costs but sell outcomes (variable costs) have a unique opportunity to build generational businesses in construction - but this window might only last 10 years.
Tune in to learn about:
✅ Why 1KOMMA5°'s founder Philip Schröder's marketing genius is their secret sauce
✅ How selling outcomes beats traditional SaaS pricing in construction
✅ Why converting variable costs to fixed costs through automation is game-changing
✅ An innovative structural engineering firm reducing design time by 90%
Sign up to the #1 Newsletter In Construction Tech. Join over 1,000 like-minded Founders, Investors and Techies disrupting the way we build. Forever : https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/subscribe
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Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:56 Diving into One Comma Five
06:01 Understanding the Solar PV Market
11:59 Investment Insights and Market Valuation
18:03 The Role of Technology in Energy Solutions
24:02 Marketing Strategies and Competitive Landscape
30:12 Future Challenges and Business Models
31:07 The Evolution of Energy Training
32:29 Understanding Fixed vs. Variable Costs
37:38 The Impact of SaaS on Construction
43:34 Exploring IPOs and Market Trends
49:45 Emerging Trends in Construction Technology Sales
read more
Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
Building a $1.6B Construction Tech Company in Australia - Lessons on Distribution vs Product
"The construction tech founders obsess over product, but distribution might matter more."
In today's episode, we discussed about VisiBuild securing a $6.6M round from Skip Capital to improve construction quality checks - going beyond just turning paper into apps.
We also discovered why Australian construction tech punches above its weight, with just two companies (Aconex and Safety Culture) putting the country third globally in unicorns.
Most valuable was Shubhankar's take on why typical SaaS metrics might not tell the whole story in construction tech's early stages.
Tune in to learn:
✅ Why the "build it and they will come" approach fails in construction
✅ How Australian founders turn their small market size into a global advantage
✅ What makes construction tech distribution different from regular SaaS
✅ Why community building matters as much as features
Listen to the full episode on Spotify to hear practical insights for anyone building or investing in construction tech.
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Chapters
00:00 The Importance of Distribution in AEC Tech
03:05 Execution Moat: The Key to Success
05:59 Navigating Distribution Challenges in Construction Tech
09:08 Market Dynamics: Distribution Strategies for Different ARR Levels
12:04 Global Perspectives: Indian Founders Targeting the US Market
14:49 Comparative Approaches: US vs. Indian Founders in Distribution
18:08 Community Building: A Strategy for Distribution Success
21:00 The State of SaaS in Indian Construction Tech
24:12 VisiBuild: A Case Study in Construction Tech Investment
33:14 Exploring Visibild's Impact in Construction Tech
36:09 The Evolution of Quality Checks in Construction
40:05 Unicorns in Construction Tech: Australia’s Rising Stars
42:58 The Unique Landscape of Australian Startups
47:59 Challenges and Opportunities for Australian Founders
52:57 Assessing Product-Market Fit in Construction Tech