A Product Manager's Guide to Building Hardware for Construction Sites - Emidio Piermarini
"I can't make that journey all the way to that facility and write up for you in a Notion board what it's like. You have to go to a construction site to really understand how busy people are."
In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Emidio Piermarini, and we got to learn about the challenges of product management in construction tech, the importance of physical solutions for physical problems, and the value of embracing negative feedback... and many more!
Tune in to find out about:
✅ The journey from structural engineering to product management
✅ How Converge is revolutionizing precast concrete tracking
✅ The limitations of software-only solutions in construction
✅ The potential for performance-based contracts in construction tech
Listen to the full episode on Spotify to gain insights into the future of construction technology and the importance of bridging the gap between digital solutions and physical realities.
-----
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
----
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.
read more
Bricks & Bytes
The Underdog Story of Construction's Hottest Startup
What would you risk to pursue your dream? For Tom Deane, it meant everything - even if it meant putting in his last penny to go all-in on a bold vision.
In this must-listen episode, Tom Deane, Co-Founder of Project Mark shows us what it really takes to be successful in the startup world.
He takes us behind the scenes and pulls the curtain on the story behind Project Mark - his innovative Construction-CRM platform. You'll also hear how he and his co-founders bootstrapped just $1,500 into an initial $500,000 before raising a staggering $3 million in seed round.
Hear how Tom’s ability to tell a story well made all the difference.
You'll also learn:
• How to craft a pitch that delivers investment
• How to identify and partner with the right VC for long-term success
• Usual pitfalls that derail fundraising efforts (and how to avoid them)
• How Project Mark empowers construction businesses to win more bids
• How struggle and perseverance are key to success
• What's possible when you go all-in on your entrepreneurial dreams
And much more ..
—----------------------------
Sign up for our newsletter at: https://bricksbytes.show
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/
—---------------------------
This episode is brought to you by Shft—the BIM partner you need to fill the gap in your digital skills and tackle your BIM needs, end-to-end.
Visit: https://maketheshft.digital
—----------------------------------
Timestamps:
(00:00:00-00:02:27) Intro
(00:02:27-00:10:11) About Tom'e Journey and ProjectMark
(00:10:11-00:26:05) Top 50 ConTech Startups in 2024
(00:26:05-00:30:33) How To Build relationship with VCs
(00:30:33-00:41:09) Pre & Post Funding Scenarios
(00:41:09-00:48:32) Silicon Valley As An Entrepreneur Ecosystem
(00:48:32-00:49:39) Outro
read more
Bricks & Bytes
Insurance Is More Backward Than Construction! Dragging Construction Insurance To 2024 - Phillip Callow
In today’s episode, we have Philip Callow, Founder of construction insurance platform Rosetta Risk Management Ltd.
In this episode, we learn about the surprising math behind construction insurance premiums, how large projects can be insured for surprisingly low costs and much more!
Tune in to find out about:
The $440 million UK construction insurance market and how premium rates are set
Why the adversarial nature of construction makes insurance so difficult
How the Grenfell Tower tragedy changed how underwriters view risk
The future of using telematics and AI to provide dynamic risk pricing
----------------------------------------
Philip Callow | Founder at Rosetta Risk Management Ltd
—-------------------------------------
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
Timestamps:
(00:00:00-00:02:38) Intro
(00:02:38-00:09:40) Insurance in context of Construction
(00:09:40-00:11:45) Premium Cost of Insurance In Construction
(00:11:45-00:27:10) Does the insurer always wins?
(00:27:10-00:34:30) Role of data for risk calculation
(00:34:30-00:39:20) Real-time data for insurance
(00:39:20-00:42:22) Lessons Philip learned from Corporate World
(00:42:22-00:43:22) Outro
read more
Bricks & Bytes
25 Startups And $500 Million Funding | From Marine Biology To Investment Megalodon
In this episode, we sit down with Parker Mundt, Vice President of Suffolk Technologies. His story is as unique as it is fascinating. Join us as we discover how Parker’s unique background is shaping the future of the construction industry with groundbreaking solutions – and empowering startups.
Listen as Parker shares insider insights on the most promising areas for technological disruption, the key factors driving the adoption of new solutions, and what it takes to build a successful construction tech startup.
Find out:
The best Go-To-Market strategies on construction tech right now
The critical role of seamless implementation and demonstrable ROI
Emerging opportunities in design tech, supply chain, robotics, and more
Strategies for founders to validate ideas, raise funds, and build investable companies
And much more.
-------------------------
Stay ahead. Get all the news and insider exclusives delivered straight to your inbox.
Sign up for our newsletter The Bytes Line at: https://bricks-bytes.com
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/
—---------------------------
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
—----------------------------------
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.
---------------------------------
Timestamps:
(00:00 - 02:32) - Intro to Parker & Our Sponsors
(02:32 - 07:13) - Parker's Journey
(07:14 - 18:19) - About Boost - Built World Accelerator Program
(18:20 - 32:41) - About Suffolk Tech
(32:42 - 39:57) - Capabilities of LLMs and AI
(39:58 - 42:17) - Unicorns Creation in Design Space
(42:18 - 47:07) - Growth Strategies for Construction Tech Startups
(47:08 - 54:36) - Strategy For Go-To-Market and Sales
(54:37 - 01:03:45) - How To Build Better Investable Startup
(01:03:45 - 01:04:47) - Outro
€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
read more
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 $30M funding round suggests so...
In this episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we explored Tendered's major Series A funding, signaling the Middle East's growing importance in construction innovation.
We also dissected a billion-dollar logistics acquisition that could reshape the industry's tech landscape.
Plus, we uncovered why gross margins might be the hidden key to startup success in construction.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ Why Saudi Arabia is becoming a hotbed for construction tech
✅ How global trade shifts are impacting construction and logistics
✅ The surprising truth about product differentiation and deployment complexity
✅ Why distribution, not just product, creates category winners
---------------------------
Sign up to the #1 Newsletter In Construction Tech. Join over 1,000 like-minded Founders, Investors and Techies disrupting the way we build. Forever : https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/subscribe
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bricksbytespod
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmNbunUTIIQDzbJgGJt9_Zg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/
-------------------------
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Funding News
01:32 Tendered: Revolutionizing Heavy Equipment Operations
25:03 The Signal of the Acquisition for the Logistics Technology Market
28:18 Asset-Like Transportation Solutions in Logistics
29:06 Comparing Funding in Logistics and Construction
29:20 The Risks and Opportunities of Focusing on the Saudi Arabian Market
29:50 Conclusion
31:06 The Correlation Between Logistics and the Wider Economy
36:21 The Impact of Geopolitical Events on Trading and Logistics Companies
45:07 The Importance of Gross Margin and Contribution Margin
55:05 The Seasonality of the AEC Sector
56:43 Avoiding Mistakes and the Role of Distribution in Becoming a Category Creator
read more
Bricks, Buck$ 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
------------------------------
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
----------------------
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
----------------------
Company Mentioned:
Kelvin
Turner and Townsend
Enter
Enpal
Schneider Electric
Mac Markler
Kosla Ventures
Modulus
---------------------
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