#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
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Bricks & Bytes
#038 - Vlad Opanasiuk - Construction Transformation: Automation, Open Source & Tech Integration
In this episode, we sit down with Vlad Opanasiuk, CEO of REDD, emphasizing the unique challenges and opportunities in automating construction processes. He shares insights from a startup accelerator, highlighting the importance of quick execution and adaptability in the industry.
During the episode, we dive into:
Automation in construction beyond robot factories.
Vlad's experience in a startup accelerator (Entrepreneur First).
Construction industry challenges in venture capital circles.
Construction digital integration
Data collection driving AI success
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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Vlad Opanasiuk, CEO @ REDD (Revolutionary Engineering & Digital Design)
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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:
00:09 - Owen's Intro
00:54 - Shout out to our sponsor
01:09 - Podcast Starts - What is design automation?
05:37 - How do you think the industry is about automation?
09:13 - Incubator and launchpad
12:10 - How venture capitalist invests
14:57 - Ideas don't really matter
16:10 - None of the team had technical background
19:11 - Construction industry is a difficult industry for VC circles
21:58 - Not everything is software
23:00 - We are not selling designs. We are selling risks
26:00 - BIM and ML integration
30:15 - REDD - Revolutionary Engineering & Digital Design
33:10 - Outsourced RnD Department
34:00 - Is this for investor or engineer?
37:15 - What is the main obstacle and why is it not possible to do?
39:21 - how deep the product is, what's the range of this product?
43:48 - Plant based replacement concept
48:55 - Off topic question
52:20 - Ending
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Bricks & Bytes
#078 - 3 ESG Metrics That Your Startup Needs Before Approaching Investors In Construction Tech - Jimmy Jia - Pi Labs
In today’s episode of Bricks & Bytes, we have Jimmy Jia, Venture Partner, ESG at Pi Labs.
We learn about how ESG is transforming investment decisions, what ESG metrics startups should focus on, and much more!
Tune in to find out about:
How ESG metrics are becoming key drivers for construction tech investors
The right time for startups to begin tracking ESG factors
Tips from an ESG investor on how startups should approach funding
If you're enjoying the podcast, I'd really appreciate if you could leave a rating and review.
(00:00:00 - 00:02:00) - Intro
(00:02:00 - 00:04:41) - About Energy Efficiency of buildings
(00:04:41 - 00:10:26) - About Sustainable Finance
(00:10:26 - 00:15:30) - ESG issues and complexities
(00:15:30 - 00:29:30) - Financial accounting for sustainability
(00:29:30 - 00:36:40) - Building green startups
(00:36:40 - 00:43:32) - Balancing work and environmental goals
(00:43:32 - 00:43:46) - 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.