LIVE at SpeckleCon 2025 - Bricks & Bytes - Full Stream
In this special episode, we're broadcasting live from SpeckleCon 2025 in London, where the future of construction technology is being written in real-time. We sat down with some of the biggest names in AEC tech to talk about the one thing everyone's finally paying attention to: data.
We hear from Suffolk Construction and Pomerlau on turning BIM chaos into usable data, MultiConsult's Morten on giving engineers superpowers with Python, Martin Day's warning that we're all horses before the industrial revolution, Oliver Thomas on why small firms will beat the giants in the AI race, and Speckle's Dimitrie and Virginia on their push to become the data platform that finally fixes this broken industry.
Key Takeaways:• Data accessibility is the new battleground - visibility matters more than authoring tools• General contractors are leading the charge on data infrastructure• Off-the-shelf LLMs don't work well for AEC without fine-tuning• The visualization industry is getting disrupted by AI right now• Open source doesn't mean free, but it does mean you own your exit strategy• Outcome-based pricing is coming for construction software• The market for design seats might be 50% smaller than we think once AI hits
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Bricks & Bytes
You Can't Build Buildings With AI - Why Skilled Trades Matter More Than Ever
"Universities Are 15 Years Behind, We Don't Need More Degrees"In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Gary Cowan, the head of digital construction at Kane Group and we got to learn about how MEP contractors are becoming technology companies, why the traditional education system is failing construction workers, and the real challenges behind construction automation that nobody talks about.Tune in to find out about:✅ Why breaking down buildings into modular components and prefabricating in factories is changing project delivery across the UK and Ireland✅ The massive shift from siloed Excel files to cloud-based real-time data systems and what it takes to make that transformation work✅ Why universities teaching 15-year-old methods are creating a skills gap and why we need more tradespeople who understand technology✅ The hidden problems with construction robots that sound great in theory but struggle with real-world challenges like consistent finishes and quality controlWatch now to hear Gary break down how traditional contractors are evolving into digital-first service providers.Our Sponsor: Archdesk - “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.ioAphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.co
Chapters 00:00 Intro & Sponsors04:26 Introduction to Digital Construction 07:21 Understanding the Role of Head of Digital Construction 10:12 Challenges in Existing Structures and Digital Verification 13:19 The Importance of Collaboration in Construction 16:13 The Evolution of Technology in Construction 19:25 Prefabrication and Its Integration in Design 22:20 The Digital Tool Tech Stack 25:05 Virtual Reality in Construction 28:19 Augmented Reality and Reality Capture Solutions 33:55 The Rise of XR Technology 34:11 AI: Hype vs. Reality 35:54 Navigating AI Adoption 38:15 The Challenge of Authenticity in Tech 39:44 The Importance of Expertise 43:08 Evaluating Tech Solutions 45:17 Frustrations with Vendor Solutions 47:19 Rolling Out New Technologies 50:07 Aligning Data Across the Business 52:26 Pain Points in Real-Time Data 56:12 Robotics in MEP 1:00:07 Expanding Digital Construction Services 1:02:05 The Future of Digital Construction
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Bricks & Bytes
"Why Your Construction Tech Stack Looks Like a Mess" - Construction Tech Stack Management Complexities
"Often it results in an almost Frankenstein technology stack where you may have different things for different reasons."This is the reality of construction tech adoption today.In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Josh Weyand from Trunk Tools and we got to learn about navigating the messy world of construction technology, why some solutions stay point solutions while others scale enterprise-wide, and the critical mistake vendors make when trying to sell to large contractors... and many more!Tune in to find out about:✅ Why building trust and credibility matters more than your product features when selling to contractors✅ The real reasons technologies don't scale (hint: it's not always about the product)✅ How to align your solution to business initiatives instead of hitting friction at every step✅ What makes construction-specific tools win over generic software solutionsWatch now to hear Josh's insights from his time as Director of Emerging Technologies at Suffolk and his current role helping builders solve real problems.Our Sponsor: Archdesk - “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.io📩 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 Subscribe button to stay ahead in construction tech, AI, and the future of how we build.Chapters00:00 Intro03:45 Navigating Construction Technology: Insights from the Field 14:36 The Challenges of Scaling Tech Solutions 25:37 Peer Groups and Shared Success in Construction Tech 30:14 Overcoming Frustrations with Tech Vendors 31:47 From Pilot to Scale: Best Practices for Adoption 36:46 The Value of Piloting Technology 40:38 Understanding Innovation Theater 44:56 Buying Technology in Construction 48:18 Core Technologies for General Contractors 51:57 Transitioning to Trunk Tools 56:16 The Role of an Enterprise Solutions Engineer 01:00:40 Winning the Market with Construction Specificity
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Bricks & Bytes
From Seed to Series B - What Actually Worked Along the Way
"If I could do some things over, I would have hired marketing leadership earlier, even before sales."That's what Document Crunch CEO Josh Levy told his VP of Marketing, Lori Peters.In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Lori Peters from Document Crunch and we got to learn about why construction tech marketing is fundamentally different from other SaaS industries, how to scale from seed to Series B, and what's actually working in 2025.Tune in to find out about:✅ Why conferences are their biggest lead generation channel (while other SaaS companies avoid them)✅ How they expanded nationally by going where their customers were, not just selling remotely✅ The shift from marketing-led pipeline to fully integrated go-to-market teams✅ Why LinkedIn still dominates and how AI is changing organic search foreverWatch now to hear how a 10-year construction tech marketing veteran built a winning strategy from the ground up.Our Sponsor: Archdesk - “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 Intro03:26 Introduction to Document Crunch and Construction Tech06:28 Evolution of Marketing in Construction Tech09:23 Marketing Strategies Through Funding Stages12:23 Challenges in Scaling Marketing Operations15:11 Effective In-Person Marketing Channels18:29 Community Initiatives: Built by Builders and Crunch Community21:28 Targeting Customers and Tailoring Messages30:03 The Costly Disruptions in Construction30:58 Understanding Disputes and Their Impact32:28 The Role of Customer Advisory Boards34:43 Navigating the AI Landscape in Construction37:39 Building Trust in AI Solutions38:59 Leveraging Investor Relationships40:17 Partnerships and Trust in Marketing42:23 AI in Marketing Strategies47:30 Marketing Nuances in the Construction Industry49:19 The Importance of Thought Leadership52:12 Structuring a Growing Marketing Team53:49 Technology in the Marketing Stack54:57 Future Predictions for Marketing in AEC
€69M for Carbon Capture, Trimble Buys Flashtract & Why VC Success from Accelerators is Misleading - Bricks, Bucks & Bytes
Is raising venture capital really a sign of success for startups?
In this episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we explore Neustark's €69M growth round. We learn how they're making carbon capture a scalable industrial process, not just a scientific breakthrough.
We also dive into Trimble's acquisition of Flashtract, following similar moves by Autodesk and Procore. This trend is reshaping construction payment solutions.
Patric also shares some candid thoughts on startup accelerators and what really matters for success. Hint: it's not just about fundraising.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ Why Neustark's focus on industrialization sets them apart in the crowded climate tech space
✅ The evolving landscape of construction payment solutions and what it means for startups ✅ The surprising stats on startup success rates from accelerators (and why they might not matter)
✅ Why building a sustainable business trumps fundraising hype every time
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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00:00 Intro
01:04 Neustark: Industrializing Carbon Capture and Storage
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
$1B Logistics Deal, $30M Saudi Tech Funding, and 3 Construction Market Insights: Gross Margin, Distribution & Impact Of Global Trade Shifts - Bricks, Bucks & Bytes
Is Saudi Arabia outpacing Silicon Valley in construction tech? A recent $30M funding round suggests so...
In this episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we explored Tendered's major Series A funding, signaling the Middle East's growing importance in construction innovation.
We also dissected a billion-dollar logistics acquisition that could reshape the industry's tech landscape.
Plus, we uncovered why gross margins might be the hidden key to startup success in construction.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ Why Saudi Arabia is becoming a hotbed for construction tech
✅ How global trade shifts are impacting construction and logistics
✅ The surprising truth about product differentiation and deployment complexity
✅ Why distribution, not just product, creates category winners
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Sign up to the #1 Newsletter In Construction Tech. Join over 1,000 like-minded Founders, Investors and Techies disrupting the way we build. Forever : https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/subscribe
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bricksbytespod
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmNbunUTIIQDzbJgGJt9_Zg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Funding News
01:32 Tendered: Revolutionizing Heavy Equipment Operations
25:03 The Signal of the Acquisition for the Logistics Technology Market
28:18 Asset-Like Transportation Solutions in Logistics
29:06 Comparing Funding in Logistics and Construction
29:20 The Risks and Opportunities of Focusing on the Saudi Arabian Market
29:50 Conclusion
31:06 The Correlation Between Logistics and the Wider Economy
36:21 The Impact of Geopolitical Events on Trading and Logistics Companies
45:07 The Importance of Gross Margin and Contribution Margin
55:05 The Seasonality of the AEC Sector
56:43 Avoiding Mistakes and the Role of Distribution in Becoming a Category Creator
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
BONUS - How India’s FIRST Unicorn In Construction Tech Was Created – InfraMarket - with Shubhankar Bhattacharya
From delivering concrete in Mumbai to becoming India's second-largest concrete supplier - how did InfraMarket do it?
In this episode, we had Shubh from Foundamental, an early investor in InfraMarket, and we got to learn about the unique challenges of the Indian market, InfraMarket's innovative acquisition strategy, and their journey to becoming a construction tech unicorn.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ How InfraMarket built trust by simply delivering on time in a market where that's not guaranteed
✅ The company's "outcome as a service" approach and its path to profitability
✅ InfraMarket's strategic expansion into consumer-facing products and global markets
✅ The role of working capital in scaling a construction materials business
✅ Insights on InfraMarket's upcoming IPO and India's growing stock market
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Timestamps
0:00 - Intro
4:13 - Presence Of Foundamental in India
8:12 - Space That Foundamentals are Focussing In India
11:45 - Labor Shortage In India
14:00 - Impact on Interest Rates In Construction Industry In India
16:20 - Dollar Milkshake Theory
20:00 - Misinconceptions in terms of Investing in India
23:00 - How Shubh Ended Up Investing In InfraMarket
37:40 - Acquisition Strategy
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
Why 70% Of Investors Have A Negative Impact On Your Startup And The Future Of Energy Assessments - Bricks, Bucks & Bytes
Is remote sales killing your construction tech startup? One founder learned it the hard way. By listening to an investor who had no idea.
In this episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we got to learn about Kelvin, a French startup using AI for home energy audits, which just raised 4.7 million euros.
We explored Turner & Townsend's latest construction cost survey, revealing cooling inflation across the sector.
Also, we delved into Vinod Khosla's controversial take that 90% of VCs add no value, with Patrick offering his candid perspective.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ Why Kelvin's remote energy assessment model may face challenges
✅ How construction labor shortages are reaching critical levels worldwide
✅ The dangers of taking advice from investors unfamiliar with construction
✅ Why construction cost inflation varies dramatically by region
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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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Company Mentioned:
Kelvin
Turner and Townsend
Enter
Enpal
Schneider Electric
Mac Markler
Kosla Ventures
Modulus
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Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Podcast Name
02:17 Kelvin: Using Technology for Energy Efficiency Audits
03:21 Construction Costs and Inflation
09:19 Challenges of Remote Data Assessment in Construction
35:15 The Dishonesty in the Investment World
49:00 The Lack of Exits in Construction Tech
53:27 Finding Value in Investors
55:43 Insights from Ex-Employees of Construction Tech Companies