Most Founders Hire CROs Too Early - Revenue Leadership Mistakes & Smart Framework from Unicorn Builders
"Bringing in a CRO too early is the death of any business. It's like bringing in Lewis Hamilton and saying drive my Fiat in a school zone."In today's episode of the Bricks & Bytes, we had Ricky from Deep Space and we got to learn about why most founders hire the wrong sales leadership at the wrong time, how to scale from zero to unicorn status, and the brutal reality of go-to-market in construction tech... and many more!Ricky took simPro from $10M to over $1B valuation as their first CRO. Now he's doing it again with Deep Space while running his own venture fund.Tune in to find out about:✅ The exact revenue stage when you should hire a CRO (hint: it's not when you think)✅ Why construction sales still requires picking up the phone in 2025✅ How to build repeatable sales processes that actually work in AEC✅ The real difference between good and bad revenue leadersListen now on Spotify and learn from someone who's actually built the playbook.
Chapters00:00 Intro01:50 Introduction and Guest Background05:48 Ricky's Journey in Tech and Venture Capital09:56 The Role of a Chief Revenue Officer (CRO)13:56 Sales Strategies and Market Adaptation17:51 Building Trust and Value in Sales21:46 Hiring Sales Reps and Team Dynamics25:38 Identifying the Right CRO for Your Business29:49 Metrics for Evaluating a CRO33:55 Advice for Early-Stage Founders36:01 Marketing and Content Strategy in AEC Tech37:54 Navigating Domain Expertise in Marketing41:15 Understanding the Sales Cycle Touchpoints43:49 Essential Tools for Early-Stage Businesses45:51 Deep Space: The Future of Construction Management Software52:52 Transparent Pricing in Software Solutions53:46 The Evolution of Product Management55:50 Balancing AI Adoption with Business Strategy57:52 Analyzing Ricky's LinkedIn Insights
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Bricks & Bytes
Inside AtkinsRealis' Digital Transformation - How AtkinsRealis Drives Digital ROI
"Genius is 99% perspiration and only 1% innovation."In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we have Darren Martin, Chief Digital Officer at Atkins Realis, sharing powerful insights about technology implementation in a global engineering firm with 40,000 employees.Tune in to find out about: ✅ How they evaluate technology investments (looking for at least 4X ROI within 12-18 months) ✅ The challenges of integrating startup technologies into enterprise environments ✅ Their approach to AI implementation across the organization ✅ Why future construction will combine "hyper personalization and hyper modularization"Listen now on Spotify to hear Darren's perspectives on innovation at scale in the AEC industry!
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Bricks & Bytes
Traditional Design Stack Is Dying! - Solving Compliance Challenges with AI-Powered Floor Plans
"To be able to provide more data faster, we need to rely on generation. In order to progress a project and know what's going to be built, you need floor plans." - Jesper on why floor plan generation matters.In today's episode of the Future of Design Series from the Bricks and Bytes, we had Jesper, co-founder and CPO of Finch, sharing insights on construction tech and the evolution from architect to tech founder. His journey from running an architecture firm to building a tool that generates floor plans 13x faster is fascinating!Tune in to find out about:✅ How a viral Grasshopper prototype led to a waiting list of 80,000 professionals✅ Why interoperability between design tools is crucial for the AEC industry✅ The importance of creating "compliant" floor plans that meet regional regulations✅ Why Jesper believes the future of design stack will be a fragmented market with best-in-class toolsListen to the full episode on Spotify to learn how Finch is transforming architectural workflows and why focus is the most valuable advice for construction tech founders.Download the Future of Design report here: https://bricks-bytes.com/downloads/------------Chapters00:00 Intro06:25 From Architecture to Tech: Jesper's Journey09:22 The Birth of Finch: Addressing Industry Frustrations12:20 Innovating Design: The Unique Features of Finch15:29 Compliance in Design: Ensuring Regulatory Adherence18:30 The Future of Finch: Focus and Interoperability21:36 Understanding the Market Need: Why Floor Plans Matter24:18 Client Success Stories: Efficiency and Time Savings27:33 Defensibility and Competition: Standing Out in the Market30:15 Interoperability Challenges: Seamless Integration with Existing Tools33:13 Emerging Tools in Architecture and Design36:07 Understanding Finch's Target Audience38:45 Go-to-Market Strategies and Lessons Learned39:58 Team Structure and Development Focus42:59 Funding and Financial Strategy47:28 Future of Design Tools in Construction
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Bricks & Bytes
How PlanGrid was Acquired for $875m - Ralph Gootee, CTO
"When we launched PlanGrid, it was the only enterprise product on the iPad. Even Facebook refused to make an iPad app because Zuckerberg didn't believe in it."In today's episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, we had Ralph Gootee and we got to learn about how PlanGrid became the first enterprise app on iPad, the brutal year-long acquisition process, and why pricing decisions can make or break your startup... and many more!Tune in to find out about: ✅ Why iPad was crucial to PlanGrid's success when even Facebook refused to build an iPad app ✅ The $17,000 marketing hack that involved giving away free iPads to customers ✅ How having 5 co-founders worked despite conventional wisdom saying otherwise ✅ Why AI augments engineers but won't replace them anytime soonListen now on Spotify to hear the full story behind one of construction tech's biggest exits and what Ralph is building next with TigerEye.# Chapters00:00 Intro01:45 The Journey of PlanGrid: From Startup to Acquisition11:37 Product Development and Market Fit: Lessons Learned21:44 Navigating the Acquisition Landscape: Strategies and Insights31:41 The Role of AI in Construction: Opportunities and Challenges41:49 Building for Success: Founder's Mindset and Company Culture29:49 From Idea to Prototype: The Birth of a Startup31:18 Y Combinator: The Turning Point for PlanGrid33:39 Building a Team: The Importance of Co-Founders39:45 Solo Founders vs. Co-Founders: A Comparative Insight42:40 User Acquisition: The Power of Viral Growth in Construction46:44 Pricing Strategies: Lessons Learned from PlanGrid53:54 Hiring the Best: Building a Legacy at PlanGrid54:28 The Legacy of Plangrid and Its Impact on the Industry54:58 Challenges in Recruiting and Building a Team56:26 The Importance of Hiring the Right People58:54 Scaling Challenges and the Need for Fast Decisions01:02:13 Emerging Companies in Construction Tech01:03:18 Lessons Learned from Building Plangrid01:07:12 The Role of AI in Software Development01:13:08 Introducing TigerEye: A New Venture01:20:59 Evaluating ROI in Construction Tech
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.
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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.
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