Construction Technology Podcasts

"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 ---- 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

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 ----- 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

"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 ----- 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

"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. ----- 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