Why SaaS Is Dying & How Procurement Is Changing, Reality-Check On AI in Construction - Mike Powers
Are SaaS pricing models doomed in construction tech? Mike Powers thinks so.
In this episode, we had Mike Powers, founder of BuildVision, and we got to learn about his contrarian take on SaaS pricing in construction, the challenges of selling to the industry, and his vision for revolutionizing procurement in mechanical and electrical equipment... and many more!
Tune in to find out about:
✅ Why BuildVision avoids traditional SaaS pricing
✅ The importance of providing tangible value to construction clients
✅ Strategies for penetrating large organizations as a startup
✅ Mike's views on AI's impact on construction in the next 5-10 years
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Timestamps:
(00:00 - 07:04) - Intro
(04:34 - 07:04) - What helped Mike Build BuildVision
(07:04 - 11:34) - Understanding Vision of BuildVision
(11:34 - 18:28) - Pricing Structure That Successful Startups Follow In Construction
(18:28 - 25:10) - Mike’s Take On The Use Of AI In Construction
(25:10 - 31:26) - How BuildVision Differentiates From Its Competitors
(31:26 - 38:57) - Struggles While Managing To FundRaise For BuildVision
(38:57 - 44:27) - How VCs Work With Team
(44:27 - 52:54) - Mike’s Advice For People Who Want To Master Sales
(52:54 - 01:05:12) - How Mike Made Transition From Sales To A Founder
(01:05:12 - 01:05:52) - Outro
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Bricks & Bytes
BBBC 13/04 - Europe's Hottest Startup, Retrofitting, PR Best Practice & Nonsense
With ageing housing stock and increasing environmental targets, retrofitting emerges as a critical solution.
In this episode, Patric, Owen & Martin dissect the challenges and opportunities inherent in this market, emphasizing the crucial role of data analysis and physical substance in guiding effective retrofitting decisions.
The conversation extends to the significance of platforms like Enter.de, which serve as vital connectors between suppliers, homeowners, and contractors in the retrofitting process.
Additionally, they explore the role of PR in investment rounds, acknowledging its potential for signalling momentum and raising brand awareness, albeit with the caveat of careful curation and audience consideration.
Key Takeaways:
Retrofitting addresses the pressing need posed by ageing housing stock and environmental goals.
Effective retrofitting decisions hinge on a blend of data analysis and physical substance.
Platforms like Enter facilitate seamless collaboration between stakeholders in the retrofitting process.
PR in investment rounds can boost momentum and brand visibility, but it necessitates thoughtful curation and understanding of the target audience.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Sunshade Experiment
10:55 Data Analysis and Physical Substance in Retrofitting Decisions
29:17 The Benefits and Considerations of PR in Investment Rounds
Companies Mentioned:
- XYZ Reality
- Enter.De
- Furbnow
- AECOMarketing (Kevin Ferguson)
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Bricks & Bytes
Why Latin America Needs Its Own Construction Tech Solutions - Bernardo Gamboa, Partner at Global Projects Strategy
Is Latin America the next frontier for construction tech?
In this episode, we had Bernardo Gamboa, Partner at Global Projects Strategy, who shared fascinating insights into the construction tech landscape in Latin America.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ The unique challenges and opportunities in the Latin American construction market
✅ How financial solutions are driving tech adoption in the region
✅ Why US companies struggle to expand into Latin America
✅ The exciting potential for AI and data-driven solutions in construction
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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
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bricksbytespod
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmNbunUTIIQDzbJgGJt9_Zg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/
00:00 - Intro
00:41 - Background of Bernardo
3:45 - About BuildTech
06:47 - First Mover Advanatages That Bernardo Had In Latin America
11:30 - Examples Of Big Companies In Latin Amrerica
14:04 - Construction Tech Scenarios In Latin America
15:40 - Labor Shortage In Latin America
22:37 - Key Areas Of Investments For Bernardo
30:26 - Understanding Construction In Latin America
35:00 - Challenges In Integrating New Technologies In Construction In Latin America
39:00 - Things That Bernardo Looks Before Investing
48:50 - Future Of VC Culture In Latin America
59:20 - What Excites Bernardo About The Future Of Construction In Latin America
01:04:18 - Outro
"We've done over 160 acquisitions since 2002. Some small, some billion-dollar companies." - Alex Brihac, VP of Strategy at HexagonIn today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we had Alex Brihac from Hexagon, a $6 billion company that most in construction tech haven't heard of! We learned about their acquisition strategy, how they evaluate companies, and their vision for construction tech's future.Tune in to find out about:✅ How Hexagon decides between building vs buying technology (they spend $800-900M annually on R&D!)✅ Their four-pillar framework for evaluating acquisition targets✅ Why they sometimes acquire service businesses, not just technology companies✅ How founders should approach acquisition conversations with strategic buyersListen now on Spotify to hear insights from a company that's been quietly reshaping the construction tech landscape through strategic acquisitions for decades.--------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-------LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bricksbytespodYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmNbunUTIIQDzbJgGJt9_ZgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/
Chapters00:00 Intro04:17 Introduction to Hexagon and Its Significance07:11 Understanding Hexagon's Technology and Services10:20 Research and Development Strategy13:21 Future Trends and Strategic Focus16:20 Mergers and Acquisitions Strategy22:10 Evaluating Potential Acquisitions28:25 Acquisition of Traditional Businesses and Services39:17 Shifting Payment Models in Technology40:03 Strategic Acquisitions and Market Dynamics43:08 Evaluating Potential Acquisitions44:05 Mergers and Acquisitions Strategy47:17 Current Trends in M&A Market50:23 Competitive Landscape in Acquisitions55:17 Advice for Founders on Negotiating Acquisitions59:15 Day-to-Day Responsibilities and Strategic Focus01:03:16 Creating Successful Strategies and Execution
First Principles & Founder Success: Lessons from Scott Wolf's Levelset Journey
"20 years of experience or 1 year repeated 20 times?" - This profound question from Scott Wolfe (Levelset) captures why some founders achieve extraordinary success while others stay stagnant.
In today's episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we explored how compound experience and non-linear career paths shape successful founders in construction tech.
Tune in to learn about:
✅ How Scott Wolfe's diverse background (software, retail, law) led to Levelset's success
✅ Why non-linear experiences often lead to breakthrough innovations
✅ The truth about choosing the right capital structure for your business
✅ Why your customer should be your best source of capital
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Context Setting
01:08 Scott Wolf's Impactful Insights
02:15 The Concept of Compound Experience
04:17 Nonlinear vs. Linear Experiences
10:38 The Importance of Curiosity
12:20 Applying Compounded Knowledge
16:33 The Role of Blogging in Business Growth
25:50 Choosing the Right Capitalization Method
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
$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