How To Build A Robotics Company - Monumental Super Series Episode 003
Note : This is Episode 3 of the Monumental Super Series we released last week.
If you want to watch the full series, and gain insider access to our super series featuring top construction tech experts - subscribe now to join the community for just $30/month: https://www.patreon.com/c/bricks_bytes/membership
In episode 003, gain invaluable insights into building a cutting-edge robotics company from the ground up, perfect for tech entrepreneurs, construction industry professionals, and innovation enthusiasts.
Watch this episode to discover:
How the founders transitioned from pure software backgrounds to tackling complex robotics challenges in construction.
Monumental’s unique approach to rapid iteration, modular design, and balancing software and hardware development.
The intricacies of achieving high-precision bricklaying with robots, including the complexities of mortar application and brick positioning.
Insights into assembling and managing a multidisciplinary team of software, hardware, and robotics experts.
How Monumental positions itself as a subcontractor rather than a robotics company, and learn about their customer acquisition approach.
How Monumental plans to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving field of construction technology.
The founders’ candid reflections on their journey, including what they would do differently if starting over
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Bricks & Bytes
Microsoft's Vision For Construction Tech - Ajoy Bhattacharya
"Microsoft's secret weapon in construction tech? It's not what you think."
In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Ajoy Bhattacharya from Microsoft, and we got to learn about the tech giant's unexpected approach to innovation in construction, the power of digital identity on job sites, and why AI isn't just about generating content.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ Why Microsoft hired a construction industry veteran
✅ The surprising focus of Microsoft's construction tech strategy
✅ How a simple login solution boosted efficiency on job sites
✅ Microsoft's vision for AI in the AEC industry
Listen now on Spotify to discover how Microsoft is quietly revolutionizing construction technology, one login at a time.
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BuildVision is a procurement network for the $5T commercial construction market. We are transforming the commercial construction supply chain by bringing contractors, manufacturers, and project stakeholders onto a single software platform—revolutionizing how every component is sourced, purchased, and financed.
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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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Chapters:
00:00 Intro
04:12 Introduction to Ajoy Bhattacharya and Microsoft
07:21 Innovation in Construction: A Personal Journey
10:15 Defining Innovation in the Construction Industry
13:12 Transitioning from Suffolk to Microsoft
16:25 Leveraging Microsoft's Ecosystem for Construction
19:22 The Role of AI in Construction
22:20 Microsoft's Strategy in the AEC Industry
25:02 Case Studies: Efficiency through Technology
28:26 The Importance of User Adoption
31:18 Future Trends: AI and Voice Enablement
34:13 Microsoft Copilot: Enhancing Productivity
37:05 The Role of Startups in Construction Tech
40:11 Key Messages from Recent Talks
43:19 Closing Thoughts and Future Outlook
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Bricks & Bytes
BBBC 01/06 - Innovations, Challenges, and Investor Perspectives On Sustainable Building Materials
Are you curious about the latest innovations in sustainable building materials and the challenges of bringing them to market? 🤔
In this episode of Bricks and Bytes Broadcast, we had Gregory Dewerpe, founding partner at AO PropTech, and we got to learn about the complexities of retrofitting for energy efficiency, the role of venture capital in construction tech, and how startups are digitizing the installation process... and many more!
Tune in to find out about:
✅ Innovations in sustainable building materials like timber and insulation
✅ Challenges with adoption and commercialization timelines for new materials
✅ How software is enabling more efficient and traceable retrofitting
✅ The impact of regulations and certifications on construction innovation
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage
02:00 Exploring Sustainable Building Materials and New Startups
07:28 Challenges of Insulation and Retrofitting Work
08:27 Regulations and Impact on Construction Industry
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Bricks & Bytes
Build a Real Business - Why 1% of a Huge Market Isn't Enough
Note: This is a repost from an episode released last month on Bricks, Bucks & Bytes.
"Building a f***ing business isn't about chasing 1% of a huge market."
In this episode, Patric Hellermann share insights on construction tech startups and investment strategies. We explored the evolving landscape of ERP solutions, 3D visualization software, and the pitfalls of lazy market assessments.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ Why targeting a small niche can lead to greater success
✅ The challenges facing new entrants in the 3D rendering space
✅ How to build a business by focusing on specific customers and channels
✅ The importance of achieving profitability in your core business
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This episode is brought to you by Shft—helping contractors like you leverage BIM to secure a leading position in the race towards construction’s digital future.
Visit: https://maketheshft.digital
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BuildVision is a procurement network for the $5T commercial construction market. We are transforming the commercial construction supply chain by bringing contractors, manufacturers, and project stakeholders onto a single software platform—revolutionizing how every component is sourced, purchased, and financed.
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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
€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
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/
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 $30M funding round suggests so...
In this episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we explored Tendered's major Series A funding, signaling the Middle East's growing importance in construction innovation.
We also dissected a billion-dollar logistics acquisition that could reshape the industry's tech landscape.
Plus, we uncovered why gross margins might be the hidden key to startup success in construction.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ Why Saudi Arabia is becoming a hotbed for construction tech
✅ How global trade shifts are impacting construction and logistics
✅ The surprising truth about product differentiation and deployment complexity
✅ Why distribution, not just product, creates category winners
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Sign up to the #1 Newsletter In Construction Tech. Join over 1,000 like-minded Founders, Investors and Techies disrupting the way we build. Forever : https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/subscribe
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bricksbytespod
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmNbunUTIIQDzbJgGJt9_Zg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Funding News
01:32 Tendered: Revolutionizing Heavy Equipment Operations
25:03 The Signal of the Acquisition for the Logistics Technology Market
28:18 Asset-Like Transportation Solutions in Logistics
29:06 Comparing Funding in Logistics and Construction
29:20 The Risks and Opportunities of Focusing on the Saudi Arabian Market
29:50 Conclusion
31:06 The Correlation Between Logistics and the Wider Economy
36:21 The Impact of Geopolitical Events on Trading and Logistics Companies
45:07 The Importance of Gross Margin and Contribution Margin
55:05 The Seasonality of the AEC Sector
56:43 Avoiding Mistakes and the Role of Distribution in Becoming a Category Creator
read more
Bricks, Buck$ 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
read more
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