#051 - Ron Nussbaum - From Marines to Tech Founder: Communication, Construction Tech, and Bootstrapping a Startup
In today’s episode of Bricks & Bytes we got a chance to talk with Ron Nussbaum, founder of BuilderComs, to discuss the importance of communication in the construction process, social media presence, team building more:
We also touch on Ron's transition from the US Marines to Construction and his present venture - BuilderComs.
Tune in to find out about:
Importance of focussing on solving customer’s PAIN points
Importance of communication in Construction
How to build a successful team in your business
75 Hard Challenge
Importance and leveraging of social media presence
If you enjoy today’s episode, leave us a comment. And don’t forget to subscribe to our channel!
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Ron Nussbaum | Founder of BuilderComs | ConTech
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We are travelling to Chicago to Procore Groundbreak on September 19th and 20th to interview innovators in construction technology - let us know if you are coming!
If you are, use promo-code BRICKS100 for $100 off your ticket price.
Check https://www.procore.com/groundbreak
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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:
(0:00:00-0:07:43) - Intro
(0:07:43-0:12:22) - Introduction of BuilderComs and Ron’s experience transitioning from Marines to Construction to Tech Startup Founder
(0:12:22-0:17:28) - How to address a long-standing customer pain point in the construction industry
(0:17:28-0:23:16) - How to find ideal team members
(0:23:16-0:25:14) - Role as a CEO, founder, and hands-on contributor
(0:25:14-0:32:47) - Importance of building audience and brand recognition
(0:32:47-0:37:10) - Bridging the Knowledge Gap in Construction
(0:37:10-0:41:25) - 75 Hard Challenge: A Life-Changing Routine
(0:41:25-0:42:56) - Outro
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Bricks & Bytes
#055 - Kingma Ma - Getting Inside a VC's Mind: Pitching, Investing, Common Mistakes, Due Diligence and Funding
In today’s episode of Bricks & Bytes, we have Kingma Ma, Managing Director UK at PT1 and Member Board of Directors at UK PropTech Association (UKPA).
In this episode, we discuss PT1’s investment thesis, mistakes businesses make when pitching their services to VCs, VC's approach to investing in startups, ConTech in the UK vs. Europe and much more!
Tune in to find out about:
The VC investment process
Most common framework VCs follow for investing in businesses
What makes a great founder
PT1’s due diligence process
If you enjoy today’s episode, leave us a comment. And don’t forget to subscribe to our channel!
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Kingma Ma | Managing Director UK at PT1 | ConTech
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We are travelling to Chicago to Procore Groundbreak on September 19th and 20th to interview innovators in construction technology - let us know if you are coming!
Check https://www.procore.com/groundbreak
—-----------------------------------
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:
(0:00:00-0:06:55) - Intro
(0:06:55-0:09:35) - Day in the life of an MD in the UK
(0:09:35-0:21:00) - PT1's framework for investing in businesses
(0:21:00-0:30:30) - PT1’s due diligence process
(0:30:30-0:32:50) - Comparing ConTech in the UK vs. Europe
(0:32:50-0:35:15) - Determining the potential success of a startup
(0:35:15-0:39:10) - Common mistakes businesses make when pitching their services
(0:39:10-0:41:00) - VC's approach to investing in startups
(0:41:00-0:58:20) - Best practices for VCs when communicating with investors
(0:58:20-0:59:07) - Outro
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Bricks & Bytes
#017 - Andrius Sutas - Exiting Fintech To Construction Tech & Solving Contractual Issues On Site
What happens when someone decides to automate contracts that were once (and probably still are!) delivered through shipping containers and cranes?
Yes, this is a true story...
Today we welcome Andrius Sutas of Simple Construction Software.
In this episode we deep dive into:
Andrius' story from exited founder to his new venture
ToDo's and not to-do's in the construction tech and start-up world
Why buzzwords suck
Why small steps win over giant leaps
If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review! This helps us get more amazing guests to give you guys the best and most informative content on technology in the built world.
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Andrius Sutas:
Founder & CEO Simple Construction Software | Co-Author The Founder Handbook | Founded AimBrain (exited to BioCatch) | Forbes 30 under 30
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Today's Sponsor:
@Beta
Construction and technology network platform - connecting the tech industry with traditional partners.
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00:00:00 --> 00:01:39 - Intro
00:01:39 --> 00:02:20 - Sponsor
00:02:20 --> 00:03:55 - History of Andrius Sutas
00:03:55 --> 00:07:32 - Forbes 30 and under 30
00:04:55 --> 00:07:32 - Background about AimBrain
00:07:32 --> 00:08:26 - Is Aimbrain the foundation of Simple Construction Software
00:08:26 --> 00:15:09 - Simple Construction Software
00:15:09 --> 00:15:35 - Does Simple Construction Software use blockchain?
00:15:35 --> 00:18:11 - A related new area that could be tackled?
00:18:11 --> 00:20:24 - The Founder Handbook
00:20:24 --> 00:21:21 - Time management
00:21:21 --> 00:23:37 - Are mentors important? What qualities should they have?
00:23:37 --> 00:27:12 - Are having experiences founding members in a startup important?
00:27:12 --> 00:29:05 - Is the fintech industry smarter than the construction industry?
00:29:05 --> 00:30:13 - Which industry is most exciting in the future
00:30:13 --> 00:32:34 - AI, Machine learning, Deep learning and general AI
00:32:34 --> 00:39:21 - To Do's and Not To Do's for starting a business
00:39:21 --> 00:42:06 - Hobby of Andrius
00:42:06 --> 00:42:26 - More about Andrius
00:42:26 --> 00:42:44 - Outros
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Check out the links in the comments
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Bricks & Bytes
#012 - Ben Richards - Entrepreneurship in construction
If you want to hear a story how Ben went from poker player to founding successful architectural practice and cofounding two other construction businesses - look no further.
In this episode we speak with Ben Richards of Aura Architecture, architectural practice.
Ben talks about his journey of setting up traditional construction businesses. He explains his approach to risk taking in business and also how he is disrupting "measured surveys" industry with his latest venture XP Surveys.
We hope you enjoy the podcast.
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
read more
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 $22 trillion construction market by 2040, alongside the industry's looming labor crisis.
We discussed the expansion of the Bricks and Bytes podcast network, including new shows like "BitBuilders" focusing on robotics in construction.
Patric also shared his critical analysis of "best-of" lists and market maps in construction tech, revealing surprising insights about company success rates.
Tune in to find out:
✅ Why the construction industry is facing its most challenging and high-activity era ever
✅ How robotics might transform on-site construction in unexpected ways
✅ Why well-funded companies often underperform compared to their less publicized counterpart
✅ The importance of looking beyond funding and PR when evaluating construction tech startups
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Sign up to the #1 Newsletter In Construction Tech. Join over 1,000 like-minded Founders, Investors and Techies disrupting the way we build. Forever: https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/subscribe
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bricksbytespod
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmNbunUTIIQDzbJgGJt9_Zg
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Company Mentioned:
- McKinsey
Gecko Robotics
Monumental
Mighty Buildings
Nexii
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00:01.08 - 14:00: Introduction and Bricks and Bytes podcast network updates
14:00 - 20:10: McKinsey's updated construction productivity report
20:10 - 29:00: Labor shortage in construction industry
29:00 - 38:00: Potential solutions to labor shortage
38:00 - 44:00: Attracting talent to construction industry
44:00 - 50:30: Patric Hellermann's analysis of "best-of" lists
50:30 - 54:00: Detailed breakdown of study results
54:00 - 57:30: Discussion on implications of the study
57:30: Closing remarks and end of episode
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Bricks, Buck$ 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