#018 - Harsh Badera - Product management in construction tech
What happens when a construction engineer goes into construction tech?
Today we welcome Harsh Badera of Procore.
In this episode we deep dive into:
Harsh’s story starting from construction engineer up to his current position in Procore
ToDo's and not to-do's in the product management
If we are going to see more B2C products in construction
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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Harsh Badera - Product Management at Procore | Startup Investor | Advisor | Speaker
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Today's Sponsor:
@Beta Construction and technology network platform - connecting the tech industry with traditional partners.
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00:00:00 --> 00:02:03 Intro + Sponsor
00:02:04 --> 00:05:52 History of Harsh’s journey from project manager to product manager
00:05:53 --> 00:07:54 Switching from project manager to product manager
00:08:24 --> 00:09:58 How do you see using software in construction?
00:09:59 --> 00:12:47 What is product management?
00:12:48 --> 00:14:47 Do you see a future where construction offers more services directly to the consumer rather than B2B?
00:14:48 --> 00:16:30 Given the amount of solutions, do you think that there is a singular source where they can all integrate?
00:16:31 --> 00:17:27 Agave Startup
00:17:28 --> 00:19:04 Is creating a product in construction different than in other industries?
00:19:05 --> 00:24:15 Do you have a product management process that you follow?
00:24:16 --> 00:27:29 Introduction of Procore
00:27:30 --> 00:29:01 Construction network
00:29:59 --> 00:31:43 Trust verification for the future of contracts
00:31:45 --> 00:36:38 Harsh’s thoughts about Katerra
00:40:20 --> 00:41:40 More about Harsh
00:41:42 --> 00:42:02 Outro
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Bricks & Bytes
#037 - Brendan Ardagh - The AI revolution in construction
In this episode, we sit down with Brendan, Co-Founder of Provision, who made the jump from a traditional QS role to a technology role. He shares with us his interesting journey and how he fell in love with construction.
During the episode we dive into:
Brendan's experience with the startup world
His Journey through Y Combinator
World of AI
Machine learning
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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Brendan Ardagh Co-Founder of Provision
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Today's Sponsor: beta - Construction and technology network platform
- connecting the tech industry with traditional partners.
Chek www.the-beta.com
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Timestamps:
00:00:00 --> 00:01:22 - Intro
00:01:22 --> 00:02:04 - Sponsor
00:02:04 --> 00:04:35 - Brendan's journey from Quantity Surveyor to entrepreneur
00:04:35 --> 00:05:55 - Differences between the startup and technology scene in South Africa and Canada/US
00:05:55 --> 00:07:25 - Brendan's involvement with Y Combinator and how he got in
00:07:25 --> 00:13:29 - Innovation in construction industry and the difficulty in changing it
00:13:29 --> 00:16:13 - Discussing Y Combinator and the value it provides to startups
00:16:13 --> 00:18:16 - The dinosaur-like view of the construction industry and the potential advantage of being associated with Y Combinator
00:18:16 --> 00:30:31 - Introducing Provision and discussing AI & Chat GPT
00:30:11 --> 00:35:30 - Getting involved in using AI and where to start learning about it
00:35:30 --> 00:39:56 - Chat GPT and how it will impact construction industry in the future
00:39:56 --> 00:41:47 - The importance of utilising GPT effectively and jumping on opportunities presented by it
00:41:47 --> 00:42:55 - How open is OpenAI
00:42:55 --> 00:46:03 - Brendan’s routine
00:46:03 --> 00:46:53 - More about Brendan
00:46:53 --> 00:47:10 - Outro
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Bricks & Bytes
#027 - Jefferson Sanchez - Accelerating revenue for house remodellers
On today's show we have Jefferson Sanchez - Co-Founder & COO of Revonate.
In this episode we deep dive into:
Revenue acceleration for house remodellers
Web3
AI
Platform revolution in construction.
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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Jefferson Sanchez - Co-Founder & COO of Revonate.
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Today's Sponsor: beta - Construction and technology network platform - connecting the tech industry with traditional partners.
Chek: www.the-beta.com
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Timestamps:
(00:00:00-00:01:12) - Intro
(00:01:12-00:01:54) - Sponsor
(00:01:54-00:03:21) - Jefferson’s journey to creating Revonate
(00:03:21-00:05:20) - Being a migrant and starting business
(00:05:20-00:09:13) - Key lessons learned from the failure of previous company
(00:09:13-00:10:29) - Introducing Revonate
(00:10:29-00:14:33) - AI powered construction contract
(00:14:33-00:17:13) - AI’s impact on construction in the future
(00:17:13-00:19:00) - Building trust layer in AI/ML technologies
(00:19:00-00:20:01) - Explaining Archidao
(00:20:01-00:24:04) - Use of blockchain in technology
(00:24:04-00:25:05) - Founding Revonate
(00:25:05-00:26:46) - Taking outside investments
(00:26:46-00:28:58) - Current economic situation and its impact on the future of construction tech world
(00:28:58-00:29:35) - Is Revonate designed only for the US market?
(00:29:33-00:31:16) - Jefferson’s marketing tactics
(00:31:16-00:34:46) - Work-life balance
(00:34:46-00:35:51) - Book recommendation
(00:35:51-00:36:20) - More about Jefferson
(00:36:20-00:36:38) - Outro
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Bricks & Bytes
How To Build A Unicorn In Construction Tech - Patric Hellermann
In today’s episode, we have Patric Hellermann, General Partner at the largest global early stage investor in construction technology - Foundamental.
Patric explains the 30bn opportunity in construction tech, the past and future models of unicorns, and how VC in the world of construction operates.
Tune in to find out about:
How VC funding in construction tech is defying the recession-hit VC ecosystem, showcasing opportunity and resilience unlike other sectors
The existing and future models of unicorn construction tech startups
What shapes the VC world in construction; from exceptional investors through to founder-fit, and what happens when a company begins to fail
Patric’s favorite investors and his way of staying creative while managing a career in VC
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Patric Hellermann | General Partner at Foundamental
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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
Timestamps:
(00:00:00-00:03:18) Intro
(00:03:18-00:06:32) How to Create a Venture Capital Company
(00:06:32-00:40:22) Funding Statistics in Construction
(00:40:22-01:07:57) Unicorns in Construction Tech
(01:07:57-01:11:17) Difference Between Private Equity and Early Stage VC
(01:11:17-01:15:59) How the Due Diligence Process Looks Like
(01:15:59-01:22:39) Differences in VCs in Construction and Other Industries
(01:22:39-01:42:07) Audience's Questions
(01:42:07-01:42:52) Outro
Human Touch in Construction Sales, False Tech Solutions, and Large Company Lawsuits - Bricks, Bucks & Bytes
"Try to keep all your human touch points and automate them on the backend."
In today's episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we dive into the world of B2B marketplaces in construction. We explore why human touch points are crucial for success, especially in an industry built on trust and relationships.
We also discuss the recent lawsuit between Oracle and Procore, where Oracle accuses a former employee of stealing trade secrets related to payment management software.
Plus, we explored HomeBoost, a startup offering simplified energy assessments for homes using AI. But is it too good to be true?
Tune in to find out about:
✅ The pros and cons of AI-powered home energy assessments
✅ The potential impact of the Oracle vs. Procore lawsuit on the construction tech industry
✅ Why B2B marketplaces in construction need to maintain human interactions
✅ The increasing trend of investors suing portfolio companies in recent years
Ready to dive deeper? Listen to the full episode on Spotify and join the conversation!
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
5 Things Founders Control During Fundraising That Most Don't Know About - Bricks, Bucks and Bytes
"VC is rocket fuel. Do not spend it on a Fiat 500. Only put very expensive rocket fuel if you're actually building a rocket."
In today's episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we got to learn about Speckle's recent Series A raise, showcasing the renewed liquidity in early-stage funding for 2024.
We also discovered that the construction tech sector saw impressive growth in seed stage funding sizes during Q3 2023, signaling a positive shift in the market.
Plus, we gained invaluable insights from Patrick Hellermann on what really makes VCs tick when it comes to investing in startups.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ The magic "100x potential" that VCs are looking for
✅ Why information asymmetry is your secret weapon between fundraising rounds
✅ How to leverage social validation to your advantage
✅ The power of building a rockstar team to secure funding
Listen to the full episode on Spotify and arm yourself with the knowledge to make your next pitch irresistible!
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
Speckle's $12.5M Funding - How Open Source Software Is Changing Construction Design
Speckle's $12.5M Series A: A Game-Changer for AEC Data Infrastructure
In today's episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we got to learn about Speckle's impressive $12.5 million Series A funding round, led by Addition, to build the first data hub for the AEC industry.
We also learned about Rexel's rejection of an unsolicited $8.5 billion takeover bid from QXO, signaling potential shifts in the building materials distribution landscape.
Additionally, we gained insights into Patrick Hellermann's framework for evaluating potential investors, emphasizing the importance of avoiding detrimental influences over perceived value-add.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ Speckle's open-source approach to AEC data infrastructure
✅ The potential impact of QXO's ambitious plans on the building materials distribution sector
✅ Key considerations for startups when evaluating corporate investors
✅ The importance of prioritizing non-interference and quality input from investors
Listen to the full episode on Spotify to dive deeper into these fascinating topics in construction tech and venture capital.
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
Construction Tech Funding Hits $35 Billion: What's Next?
From AI-powered construction sales to billion-dollar air taxi gambles: Inside the high-stakes world of tech funding!
In today's episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we got to learn about Building Radar's impressive €6.5 million funding round from Socii Capital, powering their AI-driven sales automation software for the construction industry.
We also dove into Fundamentals' Q3 update on AEC Tech funding, revealing that total cumulative VC funding for construction tech has hit a whopping $35 billion - triple the 2019 level!
Plus, we had a heated discussion about Lilium, the German air taxi startup seeking a controversial bailout after burning through millions.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ How Building Radar is revolutionizing sales in construction
✅ The surprising increase in construction tech's share of overall VC funding
✅ Why some VCs are calling for government bailouts (and why it's raising eyebrows)
✅ The ethics of venture capital in high-risk, high-reward industries
Ready for a deep dive into the world of construction tech and VC drama? Hit play on Spotify and join the conversation!
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Company Mentioned:
Building Radar
Lilium
SpaceX
Tesla
WeWork
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