#036 -Eric Helitzer - Simplifying Material Procurement In Construction
How do we simplify material procurement in construction?
In this episode, we talk with Eric Helitzer, CEO of Subbase.
Eric discusses his transition from traditional construction to construction technology and his approach to streamlining construction procurement.
We cover important topics such as:
The significance of understanding problems to develop effective tech solutions
Tips for validating ideas before investing time and resources
How to encourage a culture that supports innovation and technology adoption
Integrating technology into existing workflows without disrupting processes
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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Eric Helitzer | Founder & CEO of SubBase
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Today's Sponsor: beta - Construction and technology network platform - connecting the tech industry with traditional partners.
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Timestamps:
00:00 - 00:55 Pre-Intro
00:56 - 01:48 Owen's Intro
01:49 - 2:06 Sponsor
02:24 - Main podcast starts
04:09 - "You have to be on job site to understand what it physically looks like and what it physically feels like to work in construction."
04:34 - Story of Eric
06:10 - 2008 to 2014 career
06:38 - Procore Software
09:11 - "Subbase was born"
10:30 - Partnering to someone with no experience in construction
11:48 - A tool that enhance workflow
13:00 - About Subbase
14:00 - Complexities in process
15:00 - Streamlining the experience
19:06 - Raised first official round of funding
20:30 - Subbase becoming end-to-end solution
21:00 - 5 to 10 year vision
22:46 - "if you were to build a startup in construction tech, where would you start?"
24:00 - Amount of rejection you are going to receive
30:32 - You have to iterate very quickly
32:00 - No one has a clear playbook
35:20 - Other trends worth pursuing
38:00 - Strengthen relationship by providing better user experience
40:46 - "Any thoughts on how people incorporate technology into existing workflows?"
45:45 - Hobbies of Eric
47:00 - " if I wasn't working in construction"
48:05 - Where people can find out about Eric
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Bricks & Bytes
#010 - Brandon Johnson - Generating leads in construction
Next episode of Bricks&Bytes with very driven Brandon Johnson, CEO of SeracTech.
Brandon’s latest venture SeracTech helps converting planning applications into sales opportunities.
Please join us for this exciting conversation with Brandon.
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Bricks & Bytes
#051 - Ron Nussbaum - From Marines to Tech Founder: Communication, Construction Tech, and Bootstrapping a Startup
In today’s episode of Bricks & Bytes we got a chance to talk with Ron Nussbaum, founder of BuilderComs, to discuss the importance of communication in the construction process, social media presence, team building more:
We also touch on Ron's transition from the US Marines to Construction and his present venture - BuilderComs.
Tune in to find out about:
Importance of focussing on solving customer’s PAIN points
Importance of communication in Construction
How to build a successful team in your business
75 Hard Challenge
Importance and leveraging of social media presence
If you enjoy today’s episode, leave us a comment. And don’t forget to subscribe to our channel!
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Ron Nussbaum | Founder of BuilderComs | ConTech
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We are travelling to Chicago to Procore Groundbreak on September 19th and 20th to interview innovators in construction technology - let us know if you are coming!
If you are, use promo-code BRICKS100 for $100 off your ticket price.
Check https://www.procore.com/groundbreak
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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:
(0:00:00-0:07:43) - Intro
(0:07:43-0:12:22) - Introduction of BuilderComs and Ron’s experience transitioning from Marines to Construction to Tech Startup Founder
(0:12:22-0:17:28) - How to address a long-standing customer pain point in the construction industry
(0:17:28-0:23:16) - How to find ideal team members
(0:23:16-0:25:14) - Role as a CEO, founder, and hands-on contributor
(0:25:14-0:32:47) - Importance of building audience and brand recognition
(0:32:47-0:37:10) - Bridging the Knowledge Gap in Construction
(0:37:10-0:41:25) - 75 Hard Challenge: A Life-Changing Routine
(0:41:25-0:42:56) - Outro
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Bricks & Bytes
#055 - Kingma Ma - Getting Inside a VC's Mind: Pitching, Investing, Common Mistakes, Due Diligence and Funding
In today’s episode of Bricks & Bytes, we have Kingma Ma, Managing Director UK at PT1 and Member Board of Directors at UK PropTech Association (UKPA).
In this episode, we discuss PT1’s investment thesis, mistakes businesses make when pitching their services to VCs, VC's approach to investing in startups, ConTech in the UK vs. Europe and much more!
Tune in to find out about:
The VC investment process
Most common framework VCs follow for investing in businesses
What makes a great founder
PT1’s due diligence process
If you enjoy today’s episode, leave us a comment. And don’t forget to subscribe to our channel!
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Kingma Ma | Managing Director UK at PT1 | ConTech
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We are travelling to Chicago to Procore Groundbreak on September 19th and 20th to interview innovators in construction technology - let us know if you are coming!
Check https://www.procore.com/groundbreak
—-----------------------------------
Today’s Sponsor: beta – Construction and technology network platform
– connecting the tech industry with traditional construction partners.
Check www.the-beta.com
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Timestamps:
(0:00:00-0:06:55) - Intro
(0:06:55-0:09:35) - Day in the life of an MD in the UK
(0:09:35-0:21:00) - PT1's framework for investing in businesses
(0:21:00-0:30:30) - PT1’s due diligence process
(0:30:30-0:32:50) - Comparing ConTech in the UK vs. Europe
(0:32:50-0:35:15) - Determining the potential success of a startup
(0:35:15-0:39:10) - Common mistakes businesses make when pitching their services
(0:39:10-0:41:00) - VC's approach to investing in startups
(0:41:00-0:58:20) - Best practices for VCs when communicating with investors
(0:58:20-0:59:07) - Outro
Retrofitting Yellow Machines: The $250,000 Labor Cost Savings in Construction
Are robots taking over construction sites? The future of "yellow machines" might surprise you.
In today's episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we got to learn about Teleo, a startup retrofitting heavy machinery for remote operation and semi-autonomous functionality.
We also explored the intriguing case of ServiceTitan's IPO plans, shedding light on the complex dynamics of venture capital and founder equity.
Additionally, we delved into the challenges and opportunities in automating construction equipment across various environments.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ The battle between full autonomy and teleoperation in construction robotics
✅ Why retrofitting existing machinery could be a game-changer
✅ How controlled vs. uncontrolled environments impact automation adoption
✅ The potential pitfalls of aggressive venture funding for founders
Listen now on Spotify to stay ahead of the curve in construction tech innovation.
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Chapters
00:00 Exploring the Robotics Space
03:02 Teleoperation vs. Full Autonomy
05:58 Applications in High-Risk Environments
08:55 Market Dynamics and Venture Backability
12:03 OEMs vs. Startups in Innovation
14:59 The Future of Autonomous Machinery
17:54 Service Titan's Path to IPO
31:09 The Russian Roulette of Venture Capital
34:41 Conflicts of Interest in Business Decisions
39:12 The Cost of Venture Capital
41:51 Understanding IPOs and Profitability
44:04 Economic Predictions and Their Implications
52:57 The State of Construction Technology in Europe
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
What We Learned After a Year of Talking to Construction Tech's Biggest Names
"Follow the money to grow, follow your passion to build. While US construction tech startups have raised $30B, India's $1B investment is yielding better returns."
In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we did our November Monthly Review where we reflected on an action-packed month of content creation and exciting future plans.
We even explored fascinating market dynamics, founder insights, and geographic opportunities in construction tech.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ Our successful launch of the AI in Construction Report and first steps into monetization
✅ Highlights from our Boston trip interviewing startups at Suffolk's boost cohort
✅ Behind the scenes of the upcoming Ediphi super series releasing in January
✅ Plans for New York and San Francisco tour in 2025, plus a potential India expansion
Listen to the full episode on Spotify to hear Owen, Martin, and Patric discuss their key takeaways from November, upcoming content plans, and Patric’s take on why founders often over-obsess with product and under-obsess with distribution.
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Chapters
00:00 End of Year Reflections
03:01 Cultural Differences in Business Mindset
05:50 The Impact of Travel on Business
08:47 Exploring AI in Construction
12:11 The Role of Community in Innovation
14:55 Challenges in Design and Construction Software
17:52 The Disconnect Between Traditional and Startup Worlds
21:00 The Influence of Trust in Business Relationships
24:07 Venture Capitalists in Government
26:59 The Future of Governance and Innovation
32:48 Understanding Argentina's Political Landscape
35:09 The Importance of Product Distribution
40:40 Marketing Challenges in Construction Tech
43:47 Trends in AEC Technology
44:29 Talent Acquisition in the AEC Sector
46:03 Investment Trends in Construction Tech
50:34 Cultural Insights: Christmas Traditions
57:33 Closing Thoughts and Future Plans
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
156 Indian Companies Grew 20% Annually for 20 Years: What It Means for Construction Tech
Did you know that India has 156 publicly listed companies that have grown their revenue by over 20% annually for the past 20 years? That's more than the US, China, Japan, and Germany combined!
In today's episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we got to learn about the upcoming IPOs of Swiggy and BlackBuck in India, signaling a vibrant economy and thriving tech sector.
We also discovered that B2B marketplaces are flourishing in India, with BlackBuck's successful IPO setting a positive example for similar companies worldwide.
Additionally, we learned about the opening IPO window in Western markets, with companies like ServiceTitan and Klarna preparing to go public.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ The surprising growth rates of Indian companies
✅ How B2B marketplaces are thriving in India
✅ The opening IPO window in Western markets
✅ Upcoming construction tech IPOs to watch
Listen now on Spotify to gain insights into the rapidly evolving construction tech landscape and investment opportunities in India and beyond.
read more
Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
Cintoo's $37M Series B, Reality Capture Market Growth, Partech's Investment Strategy - How Cintoo Is Revolutionizing Reality Capture in Construction
Is the construction tech market becoming more obvious? Are we on the cusp of a tech IPO boom?
In today's episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we got to learn about Cintoo's $37 million Series B funding round led by Partech, signaling growing interest in reality capture and data compression for construction sites.
We also explored the potential for a surge in tech IPOs in 2025, as evidenced by Thrive Capital's rumored $1 billion investment in Databricks at a $55 billion valuation.
Additionally, we discussed the evolving landscape of construction tech investing, where specialist knowledge becomes less critical as companies mature and become more "obvious" to generalist investors.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ The growing market for reality capture in construction
✅ How to interpret large late-stage funding rounds
✅ The potential for a tech IPO boom in 2025
✅ The changing dynamics of specialist vs. generalist investors in construction tech
Listen to the full episode on Spotify to dive deeper into these insights and more.