TestFit Does 1000+ Iterations Per MILLISECOND - Construction AI That Actually Delivers
"We can do a few thousand iterations a millisecond. That gives people, you know, no loading screens, right? I want to generate and then edit, right?"That's how Jack from TestFit described their AI-powered generative design that's completely changing how buildings get planned.In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we had Laura Paciano and Jack from TestFit and we got to learn about how they're collapsing two months of pursuit costs into a single day, why big tech giants keep failing in construction, and how one customer won $750,000 more business in their first year... and many more!Tune in to find out about:✅ Why innovation is never asked for and how to educate markets on solutions they don't know they need✅ How TestFit collapses the traditional 2-month feasibility process into one day with live collaboration✅ Why architects are the hardest to convince but quickest to adopt new technology once they decide✅ The biggest myth about selling tech to the construction industry and why domain expertise beats big tech moneyWatch now on Youtube and discover how TestFit is changing the game for developers, architects, and GCs across the construction industry.
Chapters00:00 Intro02:00 Introduction and Backgrounds05:05 Understanding TestFit's Current Operations08:06 Product Typologies and Market Focus10:48 Category Creation and Market Education14:00 Overcoming Resistance to Change15:58 Real Estate Execution Plan Explained18:47 Pricing Models and Value Proposition21:58 Feasibility Studies and Zoning Considerations25:51 Evaluating New Markets for Expansion27:58 Go-to-Market Strategies and Pods31:56 Key Performance Indicators for Pods34:51 Navigating KPIs and Roadmaps37:41 The Role of AI in TestFit40:57 Building with Empathy: The Builder Mentality41:32 Understanding Go-to-Market Strategies44:42 Engaging with Municipalities and Permitting Challenges50:46 Innovating the Real Estate Workflow58:41 Debating BIM and the Future of Construction Tech01:02:38 Myths in Selling and Building Tech for AEC
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Bricks & Bytes
90% of Sales Demos Fail - Closing $1M Deals with Mutual Action Plans & Multi-Threading Secret to Accelerate Sales Cycles
"Elite sales leaders don't just hire sellers - they hire 'pirates and romantics' who can thrive in chaos when everything's broken."In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we had Scotland Foss, who helped build PlanGrid before its $1B acquisition by Autodesk. Scotland shared his proven playbook for construction tech go-to-market success from his journey across multiple ventures.Tune in to find out about: ✅ Why product-market fit must come before hiring salespeople ✅ The power of "mutual action plans" in closing complex deals ✅ How PlanGrid's freemium strategy created viral adoption on job sites ✅ Why unlimited user pricing models work better than per-seat in construction ✅ How a 90-second video convinced a CEO to take a 2-hour meetingListen now on Spotify to hear Scotland's insights on building successful construction tech sales organizations in challenging market conditions.
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Bricks & Bytes
Contractors Intentionally Hide Data - Information Wars & Transparency Solutions from OnsiteIQ's CEO
"We don't want this data to exist because if the owner knows it exists, they'll be all over us."This shocking confession from a contractor reveals the massive information gap plaguing the $2 trillion construction industry.In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we had Ardalan Khosrowpour, CEO of OnsiteIQ, and we got to learn about why contractors intentionally hide project data from owners, how 95% of construction projects don't even use their BIM models, and the brutal reality of 3% profit margins that force underbidding... and many more!Tune in to find out about:✅ Why the construction industry suffers from deliberate information asymmetry✅ How network effects can create monopolies in vertical markets✅ The stark difference between contractor mindset ($1.5M profit) vs owner mindset ($150M asset)✅ Why selling to capital allocators beats selling to contractors every timeListen now on Spotify to discover how one founder is revolutionizing construction oversight by working with owners instead of contractors.-------------------------Chapters00:00 Intro01:45 The Power of Network Effects in Real Estate04:47 Understanding the Construction Intelligence Platform07:38 Data Capture and Its Impact on Project Management10:40 Misalignment of Incentives in Construction13:46 The Role of Transparency in Construction Projects16:44 Challenges in Selling Technology to Owners19:52 Monitoring and Analyzing Construction Progress22:45 Quality Control and Data Comparison in Construction34:14 Building a Data-Driven Construction Model39:45 Challenges in Selling to Owners43:13 Outbound Sales Strategies and Market Dynamics48:59 Generating Demand Through Product Value54:25 Defensibility and Competition in the Market
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Bricks & Bytes
Why Hardware Startups ACTUALLY Fail (It's Not What You Think)
"Hardware is hard" is the biggest lie in tech.Yet VCs keep repeating it while holding their iPhones - literally a piece of hardware that made Apple one of the world's biggest companies.In today's episode of Bricks & bytes, we had Nathan Kirchner and we got to learn about why the "hardware is hard" myth is killing innovation in construction, how to break through corporate inertia, and the real barriers startups face when selling to billion-dollar companies... and many more!Tune in to find out about: ✅ Why 7 out of 10 biggest companies are actually hardware-dependent ✅ How to escape "pilot purgatory" and get real corporate deals ✅ The psychology behind why big companies resist innovation ✅ Why bringing domain experts into your team beats perfect tech every timeListen now on Spotify and discover how construction startups can actually win against corporate giants.-----------🎧 Listen to the Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0xSpdQpmgf0xJvAsGAQRX5?si=QgmckXGVRnO46vOZKa0I1Q📩 Subscribe to the Bricks & Bytes Newsletter: https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/🌐 Visit our website: http://bricks-bytes.com/📲 Follow us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/ Twitter: https://x.com/bricksbytespod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/Enjoying the insights? Hit that Follow button to stay ahead in construction tech, AI, and the future of how we build.-----------Chapters00:00 Intro02:30 Introduction to Hardware Startups05:30 Challenges in Building Hardware Startups08:20 The Role of Hardware in Major Companies11:19 Nathan's Journey into Hardware and Robotics14:12 Innovations in Construction and Robotics17:03 Engaging with Large Corporations20:15 The Consultant vs. Innovator Mindset23:07 Incremental Innovation vs. Grand Solutions26:00 Cultural Differences Between Startups and Corporates28:54 Bridging the Gap Between Startups and Corporates36:56 Breaking Barriers in Compliance41:40 Navigating Commercialization in Robotics49:15 The Pilot Process: A Necessary Evil?57:44 The Future of Robotics: Visible vs. Invisible62:15 Insights from the Venture Capital Perspective
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