Construction Technology Podcasts

"Pre-construction is actually just free construction because it's a lot of work up front that you don't often get paid for." - Chloe Smith, CEO of Mercator In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we sat down with Chloe Smith, who shared her journey of building Mercator, a construction tech startup that's changing how contractors find early-stage project opportunities. Tune in to discover: ✅ Why Mercator focuses only on Texas (for now) and how they plan to expand ✅ The power of hiring for talent over skill in a fast-growing startup ✅ How they built their own "accelerator" by carefully selecting operator-investors ✅ Their unique approach to product development through an intensive beta program with general contractors Listen to the full episode on Spotify to learn how Mercator is helping contractors get involved in projects before the bidding phase even begins - as Chloe puts it, "It's almost like using a marriage registry as a dating app." ------ 00:00 Intro 02:43 Introduction to Chloe Smith and Mercator 05:45 The Journey into Construction and Data Strategy 08:40 Understanding Mercator's Functionality 11:46 Data Sources and Technology Behind Mercator 14:50 The Role of Large Language Models 17:34 Target Customers and Market Focus 20:41 Project Detail Pages and User Experience 23:45 Data Visibility and Insights 26:29 Utilizing Construction Data for Industry Reports 29:50 Expansion from Canada to the US 32:48 Revenue Model and Future Growth 36:46 Understanding Product-Market Fit 38:57 The Fundraising Journey 45:07 Building a Strong Investor Network 51:44 Evolving Go-To-Market Strategies 1:02:43 Hiring for Talent vs. Skill 1:04:43 Defensibility in the Age of AI 1:05:20 Choosing the Right Mentors

"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. ----------- 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

It's great to watch how Alrik and ONX Homes are innovating within the logistics (Alrik) and prefabricated home building (ONX Homes). In this episode, we sat with Patric and had an in-depth discussion about Alrik, a pioneering construction tech company known for its sophisticated software solutions that monitor and supervise fleet activities. We also discussed about ONX Homes, a trailblazer in the South Florida housing market, utilizing precast concrete wall slabs to revolutionize single-family home construction. Wrapping up, Patric told us about various pricing models for software as a service (SaaS) in the construction sector, examining how companies can effectively monetize their offerings while providing value to their clients. Key Takeaways: Alrik offers software for supervising and monitoring fleet activity in the construction sector, aiming to improve productivity and sustainability. The intersection of logistics and construction tech is crucial for optimizing construction through efficient supply chains. Having a background in construction or logistics can provide valuable insights and connections when building a construction tech startup. ONX Homes is a single-family home building company in South Florida that uses precast concrete elements to build homes. Pricing models for software as a service in the construction industry often involve annual or monthly subscriptions, token models, or hybrid models based on features, usage, or seats. Timestamps: 00:00 Alrik: Optimizing Fleet Activity in Construction 05:43 The Intersection of Logistics and Construction Tech 09:33 ONX Homes: Innovating with Precast Concrete 13:11 The Importance of Background in Construction Tech Startups Companies Mentioned: Alrik ONX Homes

Okibo, a groundbreaking robotics company, has recently secured $7.85 million in equity funding. Their innovative product—a drywall finishing and painting robot—guided by AI and sensors, offers a transformative solution to address the persistent labor shortage and enhance efficiency in construction projects. In this episode, we explore how robotics are reshaping the construction landscape and how Okibo's service-oriented approach to selling painting services, rather than the robots themselves, is revolutionizing industry norms. We delve into the significance of partnerships and subcontractor models in scaling robotics ventures within construction, highlighting how these collaborations are essential for widespread adoption and implementation. Key Takeaways: Okibo secures $7.85 million in equity funding for their AI-guided drywall finishing and painting robot. Robotics offer a solution to the labor shortage crisis in construction while enhancing project efficiency. Partnerships and subcontractor models play a pivotal role in scaling robotics ventures within the construction industry. The funding landscape for robotics in construction is growing steadily, signaling significant potential for innovation. The future of robotics in construction lies in specialized product and software companies focusing on controlled environments and highly repeatable motions. Companies Mentioned: Okibo : https://okibo.com/ Monumental : https://www.monumental.co/ Icon Robotics : https://www.iconrobotics.com/ Canvas : http://gocanvas.io/ Paintjet : https://paintjet.com/ Promise Robotics : https://promiserobotics.com/ Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Overview 01:05 Addressing the Labor Shortage in Construction 08:05 Scaling Robotics Companies through Subcontractor Models 13:46 The Future of Robotics in Construction 25:18 The Use Cases of Robotics in Construction 29:55 The Nuances of Funding Rounds in Venture Capital 31:11 Wrap-up and Personal Reflections