The Truth Behind DeepSeek’s Impact on AEC | Alan Mosca on AI & Construction Tech
"Training an AI model's final run for $6M does not mean the entire model costs $6M"In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Alan Mosca, CTO and co-founder of nPlan, who shared fascinating insights about AI developments, construction tech, and the future of project planning.Tune in to find out about:✅ The truth behind DeepSeek's training costs and why media reporting missed the mark✅ How nPlan's Barry agent helps construction teams make better decisions through meeting notes, WhatsApp integration, and email connectivity✅ Why the future of software isn't SaaS - it's buying outcomes through agents that perform specific tasks✅ nPlan's game-changing "Schedule Studio" that can generate detailed project schedules in 45 minutesListen to the full episode to learn how AI is reshaping construction planning and why transparency, not blame, is key to better project outcomes.----Chapters00:00 Intro05:26 Introduction and Overview of Enplan07:12 DeepSeek and the Reality of AI Training Costs15:36 Open vs Closed Source Models in AI26:23 The Rise of Agents in AI and Construction31:23 Future of Startups: Agents vs Traditional Software36:01 The Evolution of AI and the Path to AGI44:01 Defining AGI and Its Implications45:26 Introduction to Nplan and Its Mission47:24 The Functionality of Barry: AI in Project Management49:27 Continuous Learning and Model Optimization53:23 Demonstrating the Value of Planning in Construction57:28 Customer Perspectives on AI in Project Management1:00:31 Product Development and Future Directions for Nplan1:11:39 Cultural Change in Construction Through AI
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Bricks & Bytes
Kojo's $275m Journey - How CEO Maria Davidson Built One Of AEC Tech's Most Exciting Businesses
Note : This is a re-release of an episode that was initially released at Groundbreakers."Nobody replied to our cold emails. So we started showing up at construction sites with pizza boxes - that worked."In today's episode, we had Maria Davidson, CEO of Kojo, share how she built a construction tech company now valued at $275M. A former VC with no construction background, Maria's story of building a procurement platform used by 500+ trade contractors offers valuable lessons for anyone trying to break into a traditional industry.Tune in to find out about:✅ Why being an industry outsider became her strength✅ How delivering pizzas led to their first customers✅ The metrics VCs actually care about at each funding stage✅ Managing hypergrowth from 0 to 125 employeesWant to learn how Maria turned rejection into a $275M company? Listen to the full episode
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Bricks & Bytes
OpenSpace Is Changing Construction Documentation Forever | 25 Billion Sq. Ft. Captured in 3D | Jeevan Kalanithi CEO, Openspace
Imagine having every inch of your job site documented in 3D and available on your fingertip.
In today's episode, we sit down and talk to Jeevan Kalanithi - a Stanford and MIT graduate and CEO of OpenSpace.
Join us as Jeevan shares his fascinating journey from studying at Stanford and MIT to launching hardware startups to founding OpenSpace.
He explains how his user-friendly reality-capture technology is transforming a document-centric industry by giving architects and builders unprecedented visibility into their job sites through updated 3D visuals.
Tune in and learn how:
OpenSpace catalogued over 25 billion square feet of visual job site data
Visual record allows problems to be resolved virtually instead of reworking the physical world, reducing rework and labour costs
Project stakeholders can instantly align on issues by virtually stepping into current job site conditions instead of puzzling over descriptions
As construction data becomes immersive and visual, new AI-powered insights and capabilities become possible
And a lot more …
Get the latest in Construction-Technology, meet the venture capitalists, hear from the founders and join a thriving community.
Sign up for our newsletter at: https://bricksbytes.show
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This episode is brought to you by Shft—helping contractors like you leverage BIM to secure a leading position in the race towards construction’s digital future.
Visit: https://maketheshft.digital
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Timestamps:
(00:00:00-00:07:10) Intro
(00:07:10-00:12:00) REality Capture In Construction
(00:12:00-00:25:40) About OpenSpace
(00:25:40-00:29:10) Cost Reduction Due To Reality Capture
(00:29:10-00:44:50) How To Grow A Business From 0
(00:44:50-00:45:57) Outro
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Bricks & Bytes
From Oppression to £13 BN Opportunity. From Idea to Investment. | Inside QFlow with Brittany Harris
In today’s episode, we have Brittany Harris, Co-Founder at QFlow.
Have you ever wondered how to secure funding in an old, tradition-bound industry like construction?
In this episode, Brittany Harris, Co-Founder at Qualis Flow shares her inspiring story. We hear about the challenges she conquered, the lessons she learned, and how she built QFlow attracting millions in investment.
She talks about new ways technology can decarbonize, streamline processes, increase transparency, and help us *leave the world a better place*.
This talk is more than data-driven sustainable construction; it's about breaking barriers in an old industry, creating new paradigm shifts and believing in the 'impossible'.
Tune in and learn:
How Qflow helps contractors eliminate hundreds of admin hours tracking materials and compliance documentation
How they grew over 200% year-on-year between seed and series A funding
The methods she used to raise $9.1 million in 3 months (when investors told them it would take 9 months)
The staggering £13 billion opportunity to reuse and resell construction materials that currently go straight to landfill from site
Interested in sustainable construction? Looking to raise funds for your startup? Follow Brittany Harris here on LinkedIn.
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This episode is brought to you by Shft—the BIM partner you need to fill the gap in your digital skills and tackle your BIM needs, end-to-end.
Visit: https://maketheshft.digital
Timestamps:
(00:00:00-00:02:57) Intro
(00:02:57-00:08:25) About Qualis FLow
(00:08:25-00:20:55) Fund raising experience
(00:20:55-00:33:52) Advice for founders looking to raise money
(00:33:52-00:39:25) Issue of Construction Waste Management
(00:39:25-00:42:28) Experience as a woman leading startup in construction
(00:42:28-00:43:02) Outro
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 $6.6M round from Skip Capital to improve construction quality checks - going beyond just turning paper into apps.
We also discovered why Australian construction tech punches above its weight, with just two companies (Aconex and Safety Culture) putting the country third globally in unicorns.
Most valuable was Shubhankar's take on why typical SaaS metrics might not tell the whole story in construction tech's early stages.
Tune in to learn:
✅ Why the "build it and they will come" approach fails in construction
✅ How Australian founders turn their small market size into a global advantage
✅ What makes construction tech distribution different from regular SaaS
✅ Why community building matters as much as features
Listen to the full episode on Spotify to hear practical insights for anyone building or investing in construction tech.
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Chapters
00:00 The Importance of Distribution in AEC Tech
03:05 Execution Moat: The Key to Success
05:59 Navigating Distribution Challenges in Construction Tech
09:08 Market Dynamics: Distribution Strategies for Different ARR Levels
12:04 Global Perspectives: Indian Founders Targeting the US Market
14:49 Comparative Approaches: US vs. Indian Founders in Distribution
18:08 Community Building: A Strategy for Distribution Success
21:00 The State of SaaS in Indian Construction Tech
24:12 VisiBuild: A Case Study in Construction Tech Investment
33:14 Exploring Visibild's Impact in Construction Tech
36:09 The Evolution of Quality Checks in Construction
40:05 Unicorns in Construction Tech: Australia’s Rising Stars
42:58 The Unique Landscape of Australian Startups
47:59 Challenges and Opportunities for Australian Founders
52:57 Assessing Product-Market Fit in Construction Tech
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
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.