#040 - Ken Semler - Building Better, Faster, and Smarter: The Power of Modular Construction
Discover the exciting world of modular construction with Ken Semler, CEO of Impresa Modular. Ken highlights the benefits of factory finishing, time savings, cost advantages, and the versatility of modular construction. This Episode sheds light on the potential for modular construction to revolutionize the industry and provides valuable insights for entrepreneurs and construction professionals alike.
In this episode, we delve into:
Ken Semler's journey from finance to modular construction expert
The current & future state of modular
Training labour to execute modular construction processes
Benefits of franchising
Adoption of innovation in construction
The importance of persistence
If you're finding value in our podcast, we kindly request you to share your feedback by leaving a review. Your support enables us to attract incredible guests and deliver the finest and most enlightening content on technology in the built world.
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Ken Semler President & CEO Impresa Modular
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Today's Sponsor: beta - Construction and technology network platform
- connecting the tech industry with traditional partners.
Check www.the-beta.com
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Timestamps:
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Bricks & Bytes
#021 - April Moss & Lynne Cooper - Blockchain, Leadership and Female Success In Construction Tech
How do you enjoy a fulfilling career in construction and the tech world?
Join us today in our discussion with Apil and Lynne of Digibuild.
In this episode we deep dive into:
Blockchain uses in Construction and Digibuild's software
Attracting gen z talent to blue collar jobs
Diversity and female success in construction
Maintaining balance in life
Lynne's top 3 pieces of advice for young people
If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review! This helps us get more amazing guests to give you guys the best and most informative content on technology in the built world.
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April Moss - COO | Chief Customer Officer at DigiBuild: Y Combinator Backed (YC S21) l Blockchain Technology l Construction Management l Crypto & Bitcoin Investor l Business Development
Lynne Cooper - Management & Construction | cGMP * R&D * CGT | Founder | Strategy | Innovator | Woman Welder👩🏭 | Power in the trades! | Technology for Efficiency | Collaboration is 🔑 | Blue Collar Revolution! | Improve Quality
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Today's Sponsor: Beta Construction and technology network platform - connecting the tech industry with traditional partners.
Chek www.the-beta.com
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Timestamps:
(00:00:00-00:01:27) - Intro and Sponsor
(00:01:27-00:01:58) - Introduction of guest
(00:01:58-00:03:20) - April's background
(00:03:20-00:04:16) - Lynne's background
(00:04:16-00:04:58) - Digibuild history
(00:04:58-00:07:07) - What does digibuild do?
(00:07:07-00:08:27) - Meet the Drapers
(00:08:27-00:09:23) - Digibuild and Blockchain
(00:09:23-00:09:53) - Digibuild expanding globally?
(00:09:53-00:11:04) - Are US-based companies expanding to UK?
(00:11:04-00:13:29) - Do we have cutting-edge construction technology?
(00:13:29-00:14:36) - Procore
(00:14:36-00:16:48) - Lynne's relationship with Digibuild, April, and EL sea
(00:16:48-00:19:25) - Worldchain
(00:19:25-00:24:45) - Tips for attracting gen z to construction
(00:24:45-00:27:16) - Is the general trend of construction interesting for young people?
(00:27:16-00:30:31) - Diversity in Construction
(00:30:31-00:32:24) - Experience from other industries that can be applied in construction
(00:32:24-00:33:06) - Advice about switching industry to construction
(00:33:06-00:36:09) - Charity (construction rocks dmv)
(00:36:09-00:37:19) - Mental health in construction
(00:37:19-00:42:54) - ESG sustainability
(00:42:54-00:45:34) - Advice for someone who is about to launch a construction tech startup
(00:45:34-00:47:34) - Cancel Culture
(00:47:34-00:51:14) - Books
(00:51:14-00:54:00) - How to maintain balance in life?
(00:54:00-00:57:28) - What do you want to do in construction or technology if you want unlimited resources
(00:57:28-00:58:16) - 3 pieces of advice for young people
(00:58:16-00:58:34) Outro
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Bricks & Bytes
#029 - Josh Graham - Weather risk management in construction
Our today's guest is Josh Graham - CEO of tech company EHAB, which uses advanced weather modelling and impact analysis to help construction companies de-risk critical infrastructure projects.
In this episode we talk about:
- Josh's journey of setting up EHAB
- key lessons learnt when creating his startup
- real use cases of blockchain and smart contracts in construction industry.
If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review! This helps us get more amazing guests to give you guys the best and most informative content on technology in the built world.
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Josh Graham | CEO of EHAB and CVC (Climate Venture Collective)
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Today's Sponsor: beta - Construction and technology network platform
- connecting the tech industry with traditional partners.
Chek: https://www.the-beta.com
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Timestamps:
00:00:00 --> 00:01:13 - Intro
00:01:13 --> 00:01:57 - Sponsor
00:01:57 --> 00:03:29 - Josh’s history of creating EHAB
00:03:29 --> 00:05:08 - Problems in creating sustainable property development company
00:05:08 --> 00:07:13 - Opportunities in sustainable property development
00:07:13 --> 00:07:38 - Does EHAB stand for something?
00:07:38 --> 00:10:10 - Process of identifying weather as a problem to tackle
00:10:10 --> 00:16:00 - Changes that EHAB makes in weather forecasting
00:16:00 --> 00:17:01 - Accuracy of forecast data
00:17:01 --> 00:20:05 - Key lessons learned in Josh’s journey
00:20:05 --> 00:22:06 - Future plans for EHAB
00:22:06 --> 00:23:02 - Project types that can benefit from EHAB
00:23:02 --> 00:24:44 - More about Climate Venture Collective
00:24:44 --> 00:30:01- Blockchain technology and its impact on construction industry
00:30:01 --> 00:33:54 - Smart contracts agreements
00:33:54 --> 00:35:04 - Josh’s regular day
00:35:04 --> 00:35:35 - What would you do with unlimited budget?
00:35:35 --> 00:36:18 - Book recommendation
00:36:18 --> 00:36:58 - More about Josh
00:36:58 --> 00:37:20 - Outro
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Bricks & Bytes
#019 - Paul Heming - Non Technical Founder CEO Insights In Construction Tech
From QS to the co-founder of a tech platform C-Link and host of the Own The Build podcast....
Today we welcome the legend, Paul Heming.
In this episode we deep dive into:
Paul's story and his early days of the journey
To-do's and not to-do's in the construction as a non-technical founder
About C-Link
The threats AND opportunities of technology on roles like QS', Architects/Engineers
If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review! This helps us get more amazing guests to give you guys the best and most informative content on technology in the built world.
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Paul Heming
Co-Founder at C-Link (Procurement Software for Construction SMEs) and Host of the Own the Build Podcast.
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Today's Sponsor:
@Beta Construction and technology network platform - connecting the tech industry with traditional partners.
Chek www.the-beta.com
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Timestamps:
00:00:00 --> 00:01:32 - Intro
00:01:32 --> 00:02:32 - Sponsor
00:02:32 --> 00:03:33 - History of Paul Heming
00:03:33 --> 00:04:28 - Early days of the journey
00:04:28 --> 00:05:02 - Working a job during the beginning of the startup
00:05:02 --> 00:07:34 - The future of the QS role
00:07:34 --> 00:09:25 - Did Paul always wanted to be a QS?
00:09:25 --> 00:12:55 - What is C-Link?
00:12:55 --> 00:13:58 - Is C-link going to branch to SME's ?
00:13:58 --> 00:15:30 - What's the implementation srategy of C-Link?
00:15:30 --> 00:16:20 - At the beginning did C-Link bootstrap?
00:16:20 --> 00:17:42 - Should you bootstrap a business?
00:17:42 --> 00:19:51 - Marketing
00:19:51 --> 00:22:24 - Do and don't as non-technical founder of a construction company
00:22:24 --> 00:24:30 - Mistakes during hiring the technical team
00:24:30 --> 00:25:02 - When do you need a full-time CTO?
00:25:02 --> 00:26:33 - Future of C-Link
00:25:02 --> 00:29:05 - The purpose of the podcast (Own The Build Podcast)
00:29:05 --> 00:30:11 - Best episodes podcast (Own The Build Podcast)
00:30:11 --> 00:34:54 - The extinction of roles in construction
00:34:54 --> 00:36:13 - Team building
00:34:54 --> 00:37:25 - What is Paul's productivity hack?
00:37:25 --> 00:38:47 - What are you currently reading?
00:38:47 --> 00:39:24 - More about Paul
00:39:24 --> 00:39:42 - Outro
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$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 $300B on AI infrastructure construction, creating massive opportunities in the data center space.
Through Patric Hellermann's investor lens, we discovered why focusing on core infrastructure and authoring tools might be smarter than chasing AI-first solutions.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ How Stratus is transforming MEP contractor workflows from design to fabrication
✅ The emerging opportunities in data center construction and infrastructure
✅ Why owning authoring tools beats single-point AI features
✅ The strategic advantage of avoiding overcrowded AI-first solutions
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Stratus and AI in Construction
05:44 Understanding Stratus: MEP Workflows and Digital Solutions
11:21 The Role of AI in Design and Construction
17:00 The Future of Engineering: Human Touch vs. AI
24:01 Emerging Companies and Innovations in Construction Tech
24:35 Automation in Engineering Workflows
25:50 Massive Investments in AI Infrastructure
27:52 Emerging Startups in AI Data Centers
31:40 The Role of AI in Construction
35:00 Navigating the AI Gold Rush
37:33 The Inefficiency of Venture Capital Allocation
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Bricks, Buck$ 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 $2B company, ICON's 3D printed homes only show a tiny 0.5% carbon advantage over regular timber construction.
We also explored why Q4 2024 was special for construction tech - it grabbed nearly 1% of all VC funding, the second-highest share ever. Even more impressive given that 2024 saw the lowest overall VC funding since 2014.
The most striking insight came from questioning the basics - why use concrete, a material best for large-scale projects, to print single-family homes?
Tune in to find out about:
✅ What's driving Asia-Pacific's growing lead in construction tech funding
✅ Why 3D printed concrete homes struggle in wet climates
✅ Which parts of construction tech are actually getting funded
✅ How early-stage funding stayed strong while growth rounds dropped
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Technical Glitches
01:03 Recent News: ICON's Layoffs and Valuation
02:49 Exploring 3D Concrete Printing Technology
05:49 Sustainability Concerns in Concrete Printing
08:59 Comparative Analysis: Concrete vs. Timber Homes
12:04 Challenges in 3D Concrete Printing
14:56 Automation and Efficiency in Home Construction
18:09 Future of 3D Concrete Printing Technology
21:54 Challenges in 3D Concrete Printing
22:56 Market Fit for 3D Concrete Homes
24:04 Impact of Staff Reductions on Valuation
25:47 Understanding Company Valuations and Experiments
27:07 Applications of 3D Printing in Housing
29:02 First Principles of Cost in Construction
30:58 Trends in AEC Tech Funding
39:10 Market Dynamics and Future Predictions
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Bricks, Buck$ 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
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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