#074 - Chris Barber - How Chris Turned an Idea from the Pub into a Startup
In today’s episode of Bricks & Bytes, we have Chris Barber, Co-Founder of C-Link and Prosper
In this episode, we dive into the realities of starting a business, lessons learned by Chris along the way, the Project Bank Account campaign, the early days of C-Link, and much more!
Tune in to find out about:
The importance of having a technical co-founder when building a software company
Why communicating your vision clearly is key to scaling your team
How bootstrapping for years forces smarter marketing with limited resources
If you enjoy today’s episode, leave us a comment. And don’t forget to subscribe to our channel!
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Chris Barber | Co-Founder of C-Link and Prosper
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Today’s Sponsor: beta – Construction and technology network platform
– connecting the tech industry with traditional construction partners.
Check www.the-beta.com
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Timestamps:
(00:00:00 - 00:02:34 ) - Intro
(00:02:34 - 00:08:27 ) - Introduction to C-Link and Prosper,
(00:08:27 - 00:15:18) - Project Bank Account Campaign
(00:15:18 - 00:21:12) - What would Chris do differently when starting out C-Link in 2024
(00:21:12 - 00:32:24) - Vision of C-Link
(00:32:24 - 00:35:09) - Outro
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Bricks & Bytes
#075 - How the Next Wave of AI will Reshape Construction with Hugh Seaton
In today’s episode of Bricks & Bytes, we have Hugh Seaton, CEO at The Link.
In this episode, we learn about large language models, how AI like ChatGPT can transform construction, the risks involved in the usage of AI, the importance of hiring people for attitude over ability, and much more!
Tune in to find out about:
How ChatGPT can automate up to 15-20% of field paperwork in construction
AI risks like generating false information require humans to keep in the loop for now to check outputs.
Hiring for attitude over ability results in engaged employees who grow into roles as companies and tech evolve.
If you enjoy today’s episode, leave us a comment. And don’t forget to subscribe to our channel!
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Hugh Seaton | CEO at The Link
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Today’s Sponsor: beta – Construction and technology network platform
– connecting the tech industry with traditional construction partners.
Check www.the-beta.com
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Timestamps:
(00:00:00 - 00:04:40) - Outro
(00:04:40 - 00:12:15) - Rise of the AI Wave
(00:12:15 - 00:23:50) - Deep Dive into 'The Link'
(00:23:50 - 00:29:22) - Effective Techniques for Hiring Competent Team Members
(00:29:22 - 00:32:20) - Analysis of the Construction Industry in China
(00:32:20 - 00:34:29) - Outro
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Bricks & Bytes
#032 - John Orr - Designing for a Sustainable Future: Insights from Academia
What is academia's role in ensuring the industry is fit for the future?
On today's podcast, we have John Orr - Professor of Structural Engineering At Cambridge University.
As a top-tier university ranked in the world's top 5, Cambridge is a powerhouse of knowledge, and we are privileged to have John share his expertise with us.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why interdisciplinary education can help solve complex problems
The future of design for structures
Collaboration and its importance in both innovation and climate change
How to become a Cambridge University Professor
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John Orr
Professor of Structural Engineering. Chartered engineer, academic, industrial consultant in embodied carbon. Aiming to transform real estate and construction.
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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:
(00:00:00-00:01:50) - An Exciting Introduction and a Word from Our Sponsor
(00:01:50-00:03:46) - From PhD to Cambridge Professor: John Orr's Journey in Structural Engineering
(00:03:46-00:04:42) - Why Now is the Perfect Time to Be in Structural Engineering
(00:04:42-00:06:51) - What Makes Cambridge-Trained Engineers Stand Out from the Rest?
(00:06:51-00:09:42) - How to Make Structural Engineering More Attractive and Accessible
(00:09:42-00:11:31) - The Role of Structural Engineering in Reducing Carbon Emissions
(00:11:31-00:13:12) - Strategies to Improve Structural Engineering's Sustainability Impact
(00:13:12-00:17:46) - Tackling the Thorny Issue of PI Insurance in Structural Engineering
(00:17:46-00:19:45) - A Glimpse into the Future of Construction
(00:19:45-00:23:25) - The Revolutionary ACORN Project and its Integration with Robotics
(00:23:25-00:24:52) - Predicting the Most Significant Developments in Structural Engineering's Future
(00:24:52-00:26:19) - John Orr's Vision for the Future of Construction
(00:26:19-00:27:34) - Balancing Academia and Practical Applications in Structural Engineering
(00:27:34-00:29:32) - Understanding the Impact of Part Z in Structural Engineering
(00:29:32-00:30:04) - Insights into the Fascinating Work of Part Z
(00:30:04-00:31:23) - The Potential Effects of Part Z on Structural Engineering
(00:31:23-00:32:15) - John Orr's Key Message on Structural Engineering's Role in Building a Sustainable Future
(00:32:15-00:34:15) - Navigating the Intersection of Individual Action and Regulatory Frameworks
(00:34:15-00:38:11) - How to Become a Cambridge Professor in Structural Engineering
(00:38:11-00:39:07) - John Orr's Diverse Range of Hobbies and Interests
(00:39:07-00:39:31) - Get to Know John Orr a Little Better
(00:39:31-00:39:48) - A Memorable Outro and Final Thoughts.
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Bricks & Bytes
#042 - Erin Khan - Bridging the Gap: Effective Strategies for Adopting Construction Tech
Tune in to today's episode with Erin Khan, founder of Erin Khan Consulting. Discover effective technology implementation strategies, from starting small to building communities and raising awareness. Gain valuable insights for aligning tech solutions with the construction industry's needs.
In this episode, we uncover :
- Balance innovation and standardization for employee well-being.
- Start small, gain buy-in before scaling technology.
- Foster collaboration and knowledge sharing.
- Involve stakeholders to manage risks effectively.
- Seek enthusiastic advocates for tech adoption
- Tailor solutions to unique team requirements.
If you're finding value in our podcast, we kindly request you to share your feedback by leaving a review. Your support enables us to attract incredible guests and deliver the finest and most enlightening content on technology in the built world.
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Erin Khan, Construction Technology Expert, Erin Khan Consulting
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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:
Unicorns, Coast's $40M Raise, and $34 Billion in Construction Tech Funding - Why Headcount Growth Might Be Misleading
Construction tech funding is booming, but is it all hype?
In this episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we learned about Coast's impressive $40 million Series B raise for their financial services platform in transportation.
We also got insights on the surprising growth in construction tech funding, reaching 0.53% of total venture capital.
Plus, we heard a critical take on using headcount growth as a measure of startup success.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ Why Coast is attracting big investment
✅ The unexpected trends in construction tech funding
✅ Why unicorns in the sector are both rising and falling
✅ What really matters when evaluating startups (it's not just numbers)
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Company Mentioned
Coast
Brex
Veev
Nexii
Autodesk
Trimble
FlashTrack
Procore
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Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:32 Introduction to Coast: Financial Services Platform for Transportation
06:12 Coast's Funding and Investors
10:23 Assessing the Viability of Coast's Target Market
13:42 Analysis of Coast's Funding Rounds and Revenue Growth
18:07 Discussion on Investor Perceptions and Series B Funding
19:09 Market News: ConstruTech Funding Landscape
23:21 Analysis of Funding Trends in ConstruTech
27:45 Hype and Funding Rounds in Construction Technology
32:18 The Growth of Highly Substantiated Companies
36:26 The Asian Market and Funding Rounds
37:25 The Changing Landscape of Exits
41:41 Headcount Growth as a Metric for Startup Evaluation
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
Fencing - The Hidden Gold Mine in Construction Tech & Nexii's Surprising Comeback
Is the fencing industry secretly one of the most profitable sectors in construction?
In this episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we learned about EverFence's $7.7 million Series A funding, showing strong interest in the fencing market.
We also discussed Nexii's attempt to relaunch after going into liquidation, highlighting the challenges in offsite modular construction.\
Plus, we got candid insights from Patric on why advice from generalist VCs might be hurting construction tech startups.
Tune in to find out:
✅ Why fencing companies can see up to 200% profit margins
✅ The pros and cons of asset-heavy vs. asset-light models in construction
✅ How bad VC advice is affecting construction tech startups
✅ Why founders should be wary of VCs who can't admit what they don't know
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Company Mentioned:
EverFence
Ergion
Nexii
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Sign up to the #1 Newsletter In Construction Tech. Join over 1,000 like-minded Founders, Investors and Techies disrupting the way we build. Forever : https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/subscribe
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
GUEST: Holobuilder’s Path To $34m Exit, Mo Akbari’s Journey Building The Pioneering Reality Capture Tool
Ever wonder how a startup goes from $8M to a big exit in construction tech?
In this episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we learned about HoloBuilder's journey from raising $8M to being acquired by Faro.
We also found out that despite big investments, the reality capture market still has room to grow. Companies like Cupix and Faro are leading, but there's space for new ideas in robotics and AI.
Plus, we got insights on how some VCs are betting on AI startups, hoping to find the next big winner.
Tune in to discover:
✅ Why job site pizza beats expensive marketing in construction tech
✅ The potential of scan-to-BIM technology
✅ How some AI startups raise millions with just a pitch deck
✅ Why product adoption matters more than fancy tech in construction
Listen to the full episode on Spotify to learn more about construction tech and startup funding strategies.
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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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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:
Faro
Frankfurt Airport
Siemens
Autodesk
Contilio
Disperse
OpenSpace
Cupix
Doxel
HoloBuilder
Matterport
Hansel Phelps
Buildots
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Timestamps
00:00 Introduction and Overview
01:09 The Journey of HoloBuilder: From Manufacturing to Construction
08:41 The Go-to-Market Strategy of HoloBuilder
14:20 The Decision to Exit HoloBuilder
23:15 The Three Components of Reality Capture in Construction Tech
28:03 Competition in the Reality Capture Space
35:18 Success Factors in Reality Capture Solutions
39:56 The Evolving Reality Capture Market and Market Leaders
41:33 Funding Challenges and Valuation Drops in Construction Tech
45:26 The Importance of Adoption and User Engagement in Construction Tech
57:34 Niche Markets and Disrupting Workflows in Construction Tech
01:09:43 Building Strong Customer Relationships in the Construction Tech Industry
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
€5.7M VC Bet To Retrofit Europe’s Housing Stock, "Pay What You Want" models and Nemetschek to India - Bricks, Bucks & Bytes
Could a "Cloud Installer" approach help insulate 30 million European homes faster?
In this episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we learned about Varm's €5.7M seed round for their innovative insulation business. They're using a "Cloud Installer" approach to scale across Europe.
We also discussed Nemetschek Group entering India's construction software market, starting with university partnerships.
Plus, Patric Hellermann shared why he's excited about Varm and his thoughts on "pay what you want" pricing for software.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ How insulation can cut energy costs by up to 40%
✅ Challenges of selling €2,500 software licenses in India
✅ Varm's plan to train and equip local insulation businesses
✅ Why "pay what you want" pricing might not work for high R&D software
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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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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmNbunUTIIQDzbJgGJt9_Zg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/
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Companies Mentioned :
Foundamental
VARM
Koala Insulation
Enpal
Thermondo
1.5 degrees
Service Titan
Autodesk
Bentley
Hexagon
Nemechek Group
Trimble
Rayon
AOPropTech
Emerge
Pale Blue Dot
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Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Funding Round
02:32 Varm's Focus on Insulating Existing Buildings
05:41 Cloud Installer: Varm's Business Model
10:09 Blow-In Insulation: A High ROI Measure
28:06 Introduction to Nemechek Group's Expansion into India
31:59 The Potential of the Indian AEC Software Market
36:26 Challenges of Pricing Models in the Indian Market