LIVE at SpeckleCon 2025 - Bricks & Bytes - Full Stream
In this special episode, we're broadcasting live from SpeckleCon 2025 in London, where the future of construction technology is being written in real-time. We sat down with some of the biggest names in AEC tech to talk about the one thing everyone's finally paying attention to: data.
We hear from Suffolk Construction and Pomerlau on turning BIM chaos into usable data, MultiConsult's Morten on giving engineers superpowers with Python, Martin Day's warning that we're all horses before the industrial revolution, Oliver Thomas on why small firms will beat the giants in the AI race, and Speckle's Dimitrie and Virginia on their push to become the data platform that finally fixes this broken industry.
Key Takeaways:• Data accessibility is the new battleground - visibility matters more than authoring tools• General contractors are leading the charge on data infrastructure• Off-the-shelf LLMs don't work well for AEC without fine-tuning• The visualization industry is getting disrupted by AI right now• Open source doesn't mean free, but it does mean you own your exit strategy• Outcome-based pricing is coming for construction software• The market for design seats might be 50% smaller than we think once AI hits
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Bricks & Bytes
You Can't Build Buildings With AI - Why Skilled Trades Matter More Than Ever
"Universities Are 15 Years Behind, We Don't Need More Degrees"In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Gary Cowan, the head of digital construction at Kane Group and we got to learn about how MEP contractors are becoming technology companies, why the traditional education system is failing construction workers, and the real challenges behind construction automation that nobody talks about.Tune in to find out about:✅ Why breaking down buildings into modular components and prefabricating in factories is changing project delivery across the UK and Ireland✅ The massive shift from siloed Excel files to cloud-based real-time data systems and what it takes to make that transformation work✅ Why universities teaching 15-year-old methods are creating a skills gap and why we need more tradespeople who understand technology✅ The hidden problems with construction robots that sound great in theory but struggle with real-world challenges like consistent finishes and quality controlWatch now to hear Gary break down how traditional contractors are evolving into digital-first service providers.Our Sponsor: Archdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.comBuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.ioAphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.co
Chapters 00:00 Intro & Sponsors04:26 Introduction to Digital Construction 07:21 Understanding the Role of Head of Digital Construction 10:12 Challenges in Existing Structures and Digital Verification 13:19 The Importance of Collaboration in Construction 16:13 The Evolution of Technology in Construction 19:25 Prefabrication and Its Integration in Design 22:20 The Digital Tool Tech Stack 25:05 Virtual Reality in Construction 28:19 Augmented Reality and Reality Capture Solutions 33:55 The Rise of XR Technology 34:11 AI: Hype vs. Reality 35:54 Navigating AI Adoption 38:15 The Challenge of Authenticity in Tech 39:44 The Importance of Expertise 43:08 Evaluating Tech Solutions 45:17 Frustrations with Vendor Solutions 47:19 Rolling Out New Technologies 50:07 Aligning Data Across the Business 52:26 Pain Points in Real-Time Data 56:12 Robotics in MEP 1:00:07 Expanding Digital Construction Services 1:02:05 The Future of Digital Construction
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Bricks & Bytes
"Why Your Construction Tech Stack Looks Like a Mess" - Construction Tech Stack Management Complexities
"Often it results in an almost Frankenstein technology stack where you may have different things for different reasons."This is the reality of construction tech adoption today.In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Josh Weyand from Trunk Tools and we got to learn about navigating the messy world of construction technology, why some solutions stay point solutions while others scale enterprise-wide, and the critical mistake vendors make when trying to sell to large contractors... and many more!Tune in to find out about:✅ Why building trust and credibility matters more than your product features when selling to contractors✅ The real reasons technologies don't scale (hint: it's not always about the product)✅ How to align your solution to business initiatives instead of hitting friction at every step✅ What makes construction-specific tools win over generic software solutionsWatch now to hear Josh's insights from his time as Director of Emerging Technologies at Suffolk and his current role helping builders solve real problems.Our Sponsor: Archdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.comBuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.io📩 Subscribe to the Bricks & Bytes Newsletter: https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/🌐 Visit our website: http://bricks-bytes.com/📲 Follow us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/ Twitter: https://x.com/bricksbytespod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/Enjoying the insights? Hit that Subscribe button to stay ahead in construction tech, AI, and the future of how we build.Chapters00:00 Intro03:45 Navigating Construction Technology: Insights from the Field 14:36 The Challenges of Scaling Tech Solutions 25:37 Peer Groups and Shared Success in Construction Tech 30:14 Overcoming Frustrations with Tech Vendors 31:47 From Pilot to Scale: Best Practices for Adoption 36:46 The Value of Piloting Technology 40:38 Understanding Innovation Theater 44:56 Buying Technology in Construction 48:18 Core Technologies for General Contractors 51:57 Transitioning to Trunk Tools 56:16 The Role of an Enterprise Solutions Engineer 01:00:40 Winning the Market with Construction Specificity
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Bricks & Bytes
From Seed to Series B - What Actually Worked Along the Way
"If I could do some things over, I would have hired marketing leadership earlier, even before sales."That's what Document Crunch CEO Josh Levy told his VP of Marketing, Lori Peters.In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Lori Peters from Document Crunch and we got to learn about why construction tech marketing is fundamentally different from other SaaS industries, how to scale from seed to Series B, and what's actually working in 2025.Tune in to find out about:✅ Why conferences are their biggest lead generation channel (while other SaaS companies avoid them)✅ How they expanded nationally by going where their customers were, not just selling remotely✅ The shift from marketing-led pipeline to fully integrated go-to-market teams✅ Why LinkedIn still dominates and how AI is changing organic search foreverWatch now to hear how a 10-year construction tech marketing veteran built a winning strategy from the ground up.Our Sponsor: Archdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.comBuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.ioChapters00:00 Intro03:26 Introduction to Document Crunch and Construction Tech06:28 Evolution of Marketing in Construction Tech09:23 Marketing Strategies Through Funding Stages12:23 Challenges in Scaling Marketing Operations15:11 Effective In-Person Marketing Channels18:29 Community Initiatives: Built by Builders and Crunch Community21:28 Targeting Customers and Tailoring Messages30:03 The Costly Disruptions in Construction30:58 Understanding Disputes and Their Impact32:28 The Role of Customer Advisory Boards34:43 Navigating the AI Landscape in Construction37:39 Building Trust in AI Solutions38:59 Leveraging Investor Relationships40:17 Partnerships and Trust in Marketing42:23 AI in Marketing Strategies47:30 Marketing Nuances in the Construction Industry49:19 The Importance of Thought Leadership52:12 Structuring a Growing Marketing Team53:49 Technology in the Marketing Stack54:57 Future Predictions for Marketing in AEC
AI, Low-Carbon Cement, and the Missing Science VCs: Hidden Pitfalls in Construction Tech Investing
Venture capital flooding into AI startups, but are we overlooking the real breakthroughs in construction materials?
In this episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we explored Findable, a Norwegian startup transforming building documentation, which raised €9 million in Series A funding.
We discussed Holcim's investment in Sublime Systems' innovative low-carbon cement technology, sparking a conversation about sustainable building materials.
Also, we delved into a VC's perspective on the challenges faced by startups valued between $50-200 million in revenue but struggling to find exit opportunities.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ The potential and challenges of AI-driven document management in real estate
✅ Why scientific breakthroughs in building materials can't be rushed with capital
✅ The importance of distribution advantages in AI-powered construction tech
✅ The complexities of valuation and exit strategies for mid-sized startups
Listen to the full episode on Spotify to gain valuable insights into construction tech, venture capital, and sustainable building materials.
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
Enscape's Journey From Idea To Exit - Moritz Luck, Co-Founder & CEO
From garage startup to major exit: The Enscape story
In this episode, we had Moritz, co-founder of Enscape, and we got to learn about his journey from a university project to a game-changing 3D rendering software... and many more!
Tune in to find out about:
✅ How Enscape evolved from a VR treadmill idea to revolutionizing architectural visualization
✅ Why focusing on customer happiness trumps optimizing for investor metrics
✅ The power of community-driven marketing in the AEC industry
✅ The future of AI in rendering and its impact on existing tools
Listen now on Spotify to hear Moritz's insights on building a successful startup, navigating acquisitions, and the future of design technology.
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Company Mentioned:
Enscape
Chaos
Autodesk
Lumion
Twinmotion
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Timestamps
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
03:02 The Evolution of Enscape
06:07 Understanding Rendering in Architecture
09:01 The Role of Rendering in the Design Process
12:01 Enscape's Position in the Rendering Market
15:02 Innovations and Challenges in Rendering Technology
18:00 The Journey of Enscape: From Founding to Exit
20:59 Acquisition Insights and Market Dynamics
23:55 Customer-Centric Approach to Business
26:54 The Future of Rendering and AI Integration
29:59 The Design Stack: Merging Tools and Technologies
32:59 Community and Distribution Strategies
35:48 Final Thoughts and Future Directions
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
Can Small Modular Nuclear Reactors Solve Big Energy Problem? - Last Energy's $40M Bet on Energy Independence
Nuclear power's comeback? Last Energy raises $40M for micro modular reactors
In this episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we got to learn about Last Energy's $40 million Series B funding for developing 20 MWe micro modular nuclear power plants.
We also explored how nuclear energy fits into the broader energy landscape, including its role in providing baseload power for data centers.
Additionally, we delved into venture capital fund economics and the challenges of generating returns for large funds.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ The potential for modular nuclear reactors in energy independence
✅ How nuclear power complements other energy sources on the grid
✅ Why fund size impacts venture capital returns
✅ The bifurcation of VC into large platforms and specialized early-stage funds
Listen to the full episode on Spotify to hear on the future of energy and venture capital.
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Company Mentioned:
- Last Energy
- Sequoia
- Andreessen Horowitz
- Tiger Global
- Revolut
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Timestamps
00:00 Welcome Back and Episode Recap
02:25 Exploring Nuclear Power and Last Energy
12:47 The Future of Nuclear Energy in the West
19:24 Regulatory Challenges and Market Demand for Nuclear
24:46 Understanding Baseload Energy and Its Importance
29:27 Venture Capital Insights and Market Dynamics
44:19 The Economics of Fund Sizes and Return
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
New Scheduling Tools, US Startups High Failure Rate, & How Supply-Side Focus is Reshaping Tech Companies
Is the traditional construction scheduling software about to become obsolete?
In this episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we discussed Planera's fresh take on construction scheduling, which just secured $13.5M in Series A funding.
We also explored the surprising uptick in US startup failures and what it reveals about the current market.
Additionally, we delved into the potential shift from demand-focused to supply-focused business models in tech.
Tune in to discover:
✅ How Planera aims to simplify complex construction scheduling
✅ Why more startups are failing, but it might not be all bad news
✅ The rising importance of vertical integration in tech companies
✅ How emerging markets are driving innovation in B2B platforms
Want to stay ahead in construction tech and startup trends? Listen now on Spotify.
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Company Mentioned:
Planera
Oracle (specifically their Primavera P6 software)
OpenAI
Microsoft
Uber
Meta (formerly Facebook)
SpaceX
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Timestamps:
02:12 Planera: Innovating Construction Scheduling and Planning
06:42 The Challenges of Traditional Scheduling Tools in Construction 0
9:01 The High Failure Rate of Startups: A Natural Evolution
24:07 The Role of AI in Startups and the Construction Industry
30:01 The Shift towards Collaborative and Visual Solutions in Construction
31:15 The Dominance of the US Startup Market
32:39 The High Failure Rate in US Startups
33:54 Profitability of European Venture Funds
41:30 The Shift Towards Vertical Integration and B2B Marketplaces