"It's Like Selling Your Baby" | Raw Take on The Buildots-Genda Acquisition
"It took us seven seconds to know that acquiring Genda was the right move."That's what Aviv Leibovici, CPO of Buildots, told us about the moment the deal clicked.In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Aviv Leibovici from Buildots and Erez Dror, founder of Genda, and we got to learn about why Buildots acquired Genda, how combining visual progress data with workforce tracking creates what they call "productivity intelligence," why the best field data will be the new oil for AI in construction, and the hard truths about building products in this industry... and many more!Tune in to find out about:✅ Why knowing what was built is only half the picture and how workforce data completes the construction puzzle✅ How Genda got tens of thousands of construction workers to voluntarily use an app that tracks their location (the answer is genius)✅ The real reason projects delay and why GCs blaming owner changes is only part of the story✅ Why studying your customers matters more than just listening to them and how both founders approach product development differently than most🎧 Listen now on Spotify!#ConstructionTech #ConTech #RealityCapture #AI #BricksAndBytes #ProductivityIntelligence #Buildots #Genda #ConstructionOur Sponsors:Aphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.coArchdesk - “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 Intro01:20 Introduction to BuildDots and Genda 04:16 Understanding Reality Capture and Productivity Intelligence 07:17 The Acquisition of Genda by BuildDots 09:60 The Vision Behind the Acquisition 13:16 Integration of BuildDots and Genda Products 15:50 The Future of Construction Technology 33:31 Understanding Productivity Through Data 40:02 The Reality Capture Landscape 44:30 Competitive Advantages in Construction Tech 51:15 Building Great Products in Construction 58:17 The Role of AI in Product Development
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Bricks & Bytes
SaaSpocalypse, $300B Wipeout, Death of SaaS, Bedrock Hits $1B+, Anthropic vs OpenAI, Super Bowl Ads, & Stanford Disability Scandal
$300 billion wiped from software stocks in a single week. Is SaaS officially dead or is this the buying opportunity of a decade?In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Owen, Patric, Dustin, and Martin break down the so-called "SaaSpocalypse" rocking global markets, welcome back Bedrock CTO Kevin Peterson fresh off a massive $270M Series B that puts his autonomous excavator company into unicorn territory, and dissect the hilarious beef between Anthropic and OpenAI playing out on the Super Bowl stage.Topics discussed:The $300B+ SaaS valuation crash and whether it's a death sentence or a market correction back to normalWhy software engineers are now "juicing" with AI coding tools and what that means for the industryBedrock's journey from Series A to unicorn status, their autonomous excavators on real job sites, and why Google's Capital G is backing themWhere smart money is moving as investors flee software stocks (hint: Europe is winning)Anthropic's brilliant Super Bowl ad mocking OpenAI's plan to put ads in ChatGPT and Sam Altman's salty response38% of Stanford students claiming disability for perks and what it says about elite institutions💬 "LLMs are book smart. They've read every forum on Reddit, every book ever published. But when you get out in the field, it's not in the book." Kevin Peterson, CTO of BedrockWatch the full episode now on Youtube. Link in the comments!Our Sponsor:Aphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.coArchdesk - “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 Intro01:26 The SaaSpocalypse: A New Era for Software 04:51 Market Corrections: The Future of SaaS Valuations 07:21 AI's Role in Software Development 18:54 The Evolution of Software Engineering 24:05 Bedrock's Journey: From Startup to Unicorn 30:49 The Future of Autonomous Construction Vehicles 32:54 Customer Perspectives and Ideal Partnerships 34:59 Safety and Supervision in Automation 36:01 Building a Strong Team for Innovation 438:14 Design Considerations for Autonomous Machines 39:40 Investment Trends in Robotics and AI 42:06 The Role of User Interface in Automation 47:20 Investment Strategies in Competitive Spaces 48:24 The Future of Autonomy and AI in Industry 49:35 The Battle of AI Companies: OpenAI vs. Anthropic 56:02 Disability Claims and University Ethics 01:07:06 Super Bowl Predictions and Lighthearted Banter
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Bricks & Bytes
AI vs. Software: B&B Fight Night - Kp Reddy Vs Dustin Devan
Should construction companies sort out their data before using AI? Or can AI sort it out for them?We put two heavyweights in the ring to fight it out.In one corner: Dustin DeVan, one of the most decorated CEOs in construction tech. Exited Building Connected for $275M. Now running Ediphi. He's seen $400M liens and knows what happens when your data falls apart in litigation.In the other corner: KP Reddy, serial entrepreneur, founder, investor, and the man with 48 career experiences on LinkedIn (yes, we counted). He's backed by the biggest names in AEC and has been building stuff since he was a kid.Dustin says get your house in order first. He's been through a $400M lien. Messy records in court? Not fun.KP disagrees. Projects end, teams move on, data ends up everywhere. That's just how construction works. AI can make sense of the mess.One thing they agreed on — Excel isn't going anywhere.No punches pulled. No fluff.Who won? You decide.🎧 What's your take — do we need structured systems before AI, or can AI help us build structure from the chaos?00:00 Intro01:00 Introduction to the Debate 03:25 The System of Record: Centralized vs. Decentralized 06:17 The Role of Language Models in Construction 09:18 Understanding Systems of Record 12:14 The Importance of Data Structure 15:07 Ontology and Context in Construction 17:58 The Expiry Date of Data 21:10 Business Building and Venture Capital in AEC 24:05 Excel vs. Cloud Tools 26:54 The Value of Historical Data 30:08 Defensibility in Business Models 33:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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Bricks & Bytes
Equipment Share's $6B IPO, AG1 Exposed as "Influencer Heist", Meta's $75B Metaverse Failure, AI Running Your Tinder & Patric's Investment Principles
"Cancel your AG1 subscription... AG1 has no real product substance and is fundamentally an influencer heist."In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Owen, Martin, and Patric dive into the wild world of 24/7 AI agents that can build your startup from bed, manage your Tinder profile, and apparently go rogue with your credit card.What's covered:The Maltbot phenomenon and why AI agents are taking over everyone's timeline (and whether you should let one run your life)Equipment Share's landmark IPO: the first major construction tech exit in years and what their $6B+ valuation means for the industryInside their "Big Short-style" financial engineering with equipment-backed securitiesThe upcoming AEC Fight Night 002 debate: Will AI kill the system of record?Meta's Metaverse abandonment after $75B spent (allegedly)Construction's shrinking labor shortage: what the new numbers really meanRobotics reaching a tipping point with multiple solutions now competing in each tradeHow Panasonic is crashing the price of site scanning technologyA stat that'll make you rethink 3D printing: half of all projects ever happened in 2024Quote of the episode:"I really do not understand the outsourcing of brains. I haven't understood it with social media... and agents is just the next ridiculous iteration of that." — PatricOur Sponsors:Aphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.coArchdesk - “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 Intro00:54 The Rise of AI in Everyday Life 03:34 IPO Insights and Market Trends 06:32 AI Agents: The Future of Automation 07:38 Cultural Reflections on Technology and Lifestyle 10:04 Debating the Value of AI in Work 13:02 Ethics and Automation: A Double-Edged Sword 15:53 Real-World Applications of AI Agents 17:59 The Future of AI in Business 20:41 Equipment Share IPO: A Case Study 28:08 IPO Timing and Financial Considerations 30:20 Innovative Financial Solutions in Equipment Rental32:22 Global Applicability of Financial Engineering 33:44 Future Growth Strategies for Equipment Rental Companies 35:22 Market Share Insights in the Equipment Rental Industry 36:47 Understanding Voting Rights in IPOs 38:31 Challenges in Connecting with Founders 39:13 Meta's Shift from Metaverse to AI 41:29 Construction Industry Trends and Worker Shortages 43:42 Advancements in Robotics for Construction 46:40 AI's Impact on Robotics Development 48:29 Cost Reduction in Laser Scanning Technology 51:16 3D Printing Trends in Construction
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
-----------------------------
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
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