Why SaaS Is Dying & How Procurement Is Changing, Reality-Check On AI in Construction - Mike Powers
Are SaaS pricing models doomed in construction tech? Mike Powers thinks so.
In this episode, we had Mike Powers, founder of BuildVision, and we got to learn about his contrarian take on SaaS pricing in construction, the challenges of selling to the industry, and his vision for revolutionizing procurement in mechanical and electrical equipment... and many more!
Tune in to find out about:
✅ Why BuildVision avoids traditional SaaS pricing
✅ The importance of providing tangible value to construction clients
✅ Strategies for penetrating large organizations as a startup
✅ Mike's views on AI's impact on construction in the next 5-10 years
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Timestamps:
(00:00 - 07:04) - Intro
(04:34 - 07:04) - What helped Mike Build BuildVision
(07:04 - 11:34) - Understanding Vision of BuildVision
(11:34 - 18:28) - Pricing Structure That Successful Startups Follow In Construction
(18:28 - 25:10) - Mike’s Take On The Use Of AI In Construction
(25:10 - 31:26) - How BuildVision Differentiates From Its Competitors
(31:26 - 38:57) - Struggles While Managing To FundRaise For BuildVision
(38:57 - 44:27) - How VCs Work With Team
(44:27 - 52:54) - Mike’s Advice For People Who Want To Master Sales
(52:54 - 01:05:12) - How Mike Made Transition From Sales To A Founder
(01:05:12 - 01:05:52) - Outro
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Bricks & Bytes
BBBC 13/04 - Europe's Hottest Startup, Retrofitting, PR Best Practice & Nonsense
With ageing housing stock and increasing environmental targets, retrofitting emerges as a critical solution.
In this episode, Patric, Owen & Martin dissect the challenges and opportunities inherent in this market, emphasizing the crucial role of data analysis and physical substance in guiding effective retrofitting decisions.
The conversation extends to the significance of platforms like Enter.de, which serve as vital connectors between suppliers, homeowners, and contractors in the retrofitting process.
Additionally, they explore the role of PR in investment rounds, acknowledging its potential for signalling momentum and raising brand awareness, albeit with the caveat of careful curation and audience consideration.
Key Takeaways:
Retrofitting addresses the pressing need posed by ageing housing stock and environmental goals.
Effective retrofitting decisions hinge on a blend of data analysis and physical substance.
Platforms like Enter facilitate seamless collaboration between stakeholders in the retrofitting process.
PR in investment rounds can boost momentum and brand visibility, but it necessitates thoughtful curation and understanding of the target audience.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Sunshade Experiment
10:55 Data Analysis and Physical Substance in Retrofitting Decisions
29:17 The Benefits and Considerations of PR in Investment Rounds
Companies Mentioned:
- XYZ Reality
- Enter.De
- Furbnow
- AECOMarketing (Kevin Ferguson)
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Bricks & Bytes
Why Latin America Needs Its Own Construction Tech Solutions - Bernardo Gamboa, Partner at Global Projects Strategy
Is Latin America the next frontier for construction tech?
In this episode, we had Bernardo Gamboa, Partner at Global Projects Strategy, who shared fascinating insights into the construction tech landscape in Latin America.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ The unique challenges and opportunities in the Latin American construction market
✅ How financial solutions are driving tech adoption in the region
✅ Why US companies struggle to expand into Latin America
✅ The exciting potential for AI and data-driven solutions in construction
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00:00 - Intro
00:41 - Background of Bernardo
3:45 - About BuildTech
06:47 - First Mover Advanatages That Bernardo Had In Latin America
11:30 - Examples Of Big Companies In Latin Amrerica
14:04 - Construction Tech Scenarios In Latin America
15:40 - Labor Shortage In Latin America
22:37 - Key Areas Of Investments For Bernardo
30:26 - Understanding Construction In Latin America
35:00 - Challenges In Integrating New Technologies In Construction In Latin America
39:00 - Things That Bernardo Looks Before Investing
48:50 - Future Of VC Culture In Latin America
59:20 - What Excites Bernardo About The Future Of Construction In Latin America
01:04:18 - Outro
"We've done over 160 acquisitions since 2002. Some small, some billion-dollar companies." - Alex Brihac, VP of Strategy at HexagonIn today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we had Alex Brihac from Hexagon, a $6 billion company that most in construction tech haven't heard of! We learned about their acquisition strategy, how they evaluate companies, and their vision for construction tech's future.Tune in to find out about:✅ How Hexagon decides between building vs buying technology (they spend $800-900M annually on R&D!)✅ Their four-pillar framework for evaluating acquisition targets✅ Why they sometimes acquire service businesses, not just technology companies✅ How founders should approach acquisition conversations with strategic buyersListen now on Spotify to hear insights from a company that's been quietly reshaping the construction tech landscape through strategic acquisitions for decades.--------Sign up to the #1 Newsletter In Construction Tech. Join over 1,000 like-minded Founders, Investors and Techies disrupting the way we build. Forever : https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/subscribe-------LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bricksbytespodYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmNbunUTIIQDzbJgGJt9_ZgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/
Chapters00:00 Intro04:17 Introduction to Hexagon and Its Significance07:11 Understanding Hexagon's Technology and Services10:20 Research and Development Strategy13:21 Future Trends and Strategic Focus16:20 Mergers and Acquisitions Strategy22:10 Evaluating Potential Acquisitions28:25 Acquisition of Traditional Businesses and Services39:17 Shifting Payment Models in Technology40:03 Strategic Acquisitions and Market Dynamics43:08 Evaluating Potential Acquisitions44:05 Mergers and Acquisitions Strategy47:17 Current Trends in M&A Market50:23 Competitive Landscape in Acquisitions55:17 Advice for Founders on Negotiating Acquisitions59:15 Day-to-Day Responsibilities and Strategic Focus01:03:16 Creating Successful Strategies and Execution
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 $13.5M in Series A funding.
We also explored the surprising uptick in US startup failures and what it reveals about the current market.
Additionally, we delved into the potential shift from demand-focused to supply-focused business models in tech.
Tune in to discover:
✅ How Planera aims to simplify complex construction scheduling
✅ Why more startups are failing, but it might not be all bad news
✅ The rising importance of vertical integration in tech companies
✅ How emerging markets are driving innovation in B2B platforms
Want to stay ahead in construction tech and startup trends? Listen now on Spotify.
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Company Mentioned:
Planera
Oracle (specifically their Primavera P6 software)
OpenAI
Microsoft
Uber
Meta (formerly Facebook)
SpaceX
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Timestamps:
02:12 Planera: Innovating Construction Scheduling and Planning
06:42 The Challenges of Traditional Scheduling Tools in Construction 0
9:01 The High Failure Rate of Startups: A Natural Evolution
24:07 The Role of AI in Startups and the Construction Industry
30:01 The Shift towards Collaborative and Visual Solutions in Construction
31:15 The Dominance of the US Startup Market
32:39 The High Failure Rate in US Startups
33:54 Profitability of European Venture Funds
41:30 The Shift Towards Vertical Integration and B2B Marketplaces
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
How Starpath Robotics Plans to Mine Space Water From Moon- Is It Even Possible?
Construction robots: From hot dogs to highways?
In this episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we explored how robotics is changing construction.
We learned about Starpath Robotics' plan to mine water on the Moon for rocket fuel. This could change how we explore space.
We also covered how construction companies are now more open to using robots. This is due to a lack of skilled workers.
Patric and Gabriele shared insights on investing in construction tech startups.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ Why robotics companies should start with specific problems
✅ How construction robots can help with labor shortages
✅ What investors look for in robotics startups
✅ The importance of building a track record in robotics
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
Billion-Dollar Blindspots: Are Construction Tech's 'Best' Lists Building on Quicksand?
Is the construction industry building its future on a foundation of hype? Think again. The latest market maps and "best-of" lists might be leading you astray.
In this episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we explored McKinsey's updated report projecting a $22 trillion construction market by 2040, alongside the industry's looming labor crisis.
We discussed the expansion of the Bricks and Bytes podcast network, including new shows like "BitBuilders" focusing on robotics in construction.
Patric also shared his critical analysis of "best-of" lists and market maps in construction tech, revealing surprising insights about company success rates.
Tune in to find out:
✅ Why the construction industry is facing its most challenging and high-activity era ever
✅ How robotics might transform on-site construction in unexpected ways
✅ Why well-funded companies often underperform compared to their less publicized counterpart
✅ The importance of looking beyond funding and PR when evaluating construction tech startups
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Sign up to the #1 Newsletter In Construction Tech. Join over 1,000 like-minded Founders, Investors and Techies disrupting the way we build. Forever: https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/subscribe
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bricksbytespod
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmNbunUTIIQDzbJgGJt9_Zg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/
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Company Mentioned:
- McKinsey
Gecko Robotics
Monumental
Mighty Buildings
Nexii
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00:01.08 - 14:00: Introduction and Bricks and Bytes podcast network updates
14:00 - 20:10: McKinsey's updated construction productivity report
20:10 - 29:00: Labor shortage in construction industry
29:00 - 38:00: Potential solutions to labor shortage
38:00 - 44:00: Attracting talent to construction industry
44:00 - 50:30: Patric Hellermann's analysis of "best-of" lists
50:30 - 54:00: Detailed breakdown of study results
54:00 - 57:30: Discussion on implications of the study
57:30: Closing remarks and end of episode
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
The Niche Domination Strategy - Why 1% of a Huge Market Could Kill Your Startup
Is your startup targeting just 1% of a massive market? Think again. This common pitch strategy might be hurting your chances with investors.
In this episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we learned about Opus Flow's €1.7 million investment to boost their ERP solution for sustainable installers.
We also explored the 3D visualization market, discussing by 7.2 (formerly known as Apex Partners)'s investment in Lumion, a key player in AEC software.
Patric also shared valuable insights on building successful startups in crowded markets like construction tech.
Tune in to find out:
✅ Why focusing on a specific niche can be more powerful than chasing a small slice of a big market
✅ How Opus Flow stands out in the competitive ERP space
✅ Why adding AI isn't always enough to beat established players like Lumion
✅ The importance of profitability in your core business before expanding
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Sign up to the #1 Newsletter In Construction Tech. Join over 1,000 like-minded Founders, Investors and Techies disrupting the way we build. Forever : https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/subscribe
-----------------------------
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bricksbytespod
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmNbunUTIIQDzbJgGJt9_Zg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/
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Company Mentioned:
- OpusFlow
- Lumion
- Enscape
- Twinmotion
- Inframarket
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Timestamps
00:00 Introduction and Icebreaker
06:32 Navigating the Crowded Market: Opus Flow's Differentiation
10:40 The Challenges of a Red Ocean Market and Margin Compression
13:00 The Importance of Partnerships and Distribution for Opus Flow
21:37 Becoming a Category Leader: Challenges and Opportunities for Opus Flow
24:03 Introduction to the Rendering Industry
26:28 Challenges Faced by Startups
31:20 The Importance of Differentiation and Capturing Entire Workflows
36:12 The Significance of Focusing on Specific Niches
44:46 Building a Profitable Core Business
48:30 The Misconception of Targeting a Small Percentage of a Large Market