#073 - Sarah Crawley - How Husband-Wife Duo Is Running A $1.7 Million Funded Construction Tech Company
In today’s episode of Bricks & Bytes, we have Sarah Crawley, Co-Founder of SymTerra
In this episode, we learn about the importance of networking, starting a tech business from scratch with just an idea, tips for raising funds for your startup, and much more!
Tune in to find out about:
The importance of establishing trust and strong relationships in the construction sector, where daily challenges are a norm.
The critical role of patience and respectful persistence in navigating the sales process in the construction industry.
How angel investors decide to fund startups, focusing on the importance of a good founding team, their story, and what makes their startup special.
If you enjoy today’s episode, leave us a comment. And don’t forget to subscribe to our channel!
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Sarah Crawley | Co-Founder of SymTerra
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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:
(00:00:00 - 00:08:35) - Intro
(00:08:35 - 00:12:15) - About Synterra
(00:12:15 - 00:15:06) - How to start a company from an idea
(00:15:06 - 00:20:56) - How to manage people to build tech as a Non-Tech Founder
(00:20:56 - 00:26:20) - Tips for someone looking to raise fund for their startup
(00:26:20 - 00:29:53) - Outro
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Bricks & Bytes
#083 - Digital Transformation or Digital Demise? Construction’s Struggle With Digitisation, Tips For Start-Ups Building In Construction Tech, The Gold-Rush For Data
In today’s episode of Bricks & Bytes, we have Res Orgut, a mentor at Formwork Labs.
In this episode, we learn about the significance of innovation, data-driven decision-making, and continuous learning in the construction industry.
Tune in to find out about:
How program management offices are often catalysts for digital transformation by improving processes, governance, and standardization
The importance of problem-solving, connecting solutions to real needs
The rise of the role of data analyst in the construction industry and what this actually means
The rise of the role of data analyst in the construction industry and what this actually means for improving performance through analytics
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Res Orgut | Mentor at Formwork Labs
Timestamps:
(00:00:00-00:02:28) Intro
(00:02:28-00:06:50) Role of Mentor at FormerLabs and Associate Director
(00:06:50-00:16:55) Biggest Challenge in AEC Startup
(00:16:55-00:19:30) LLMs in PMOs
(00:19:30-00:29:20) Use cases of AI and LLMs in Startup
(00:29:20-00:32:37) Success in Project Management
(00:32:37-00:32:37) Outro
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Bricks & Bytes
#080 - How Mentorships Are Shaping Construction Tech Success And The Best Mentorship Strategies If You’re In Construction - Elinor Moshe
In today’s episode of Bricks & Bytes, we have Elinor Moshe, Founder and Mentor at The Construction Coach
In this episode, we learn about the transformative power of mentoring, the importance of self-awareness, practical tips for personal growth, and much more!
Tune in to find out about:
The benefits of mentoring and how it can help you achieve success faster
Tips for self-reflection and listening to your inner voice
The problem of “Action Faking” - doing courses, reading books, listening to podcasts without implementation
Common challenges in construction, such as a mismatch of skills, interests, and burnout, and how to overcome them through self-awareness and introspection.
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Elinor Moshe | Founder and Mentor at The Construction Coach
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Timestamps:
(00:00:25-00:07:00) Intro
(00:07:00-00:13:10) Why Mentoring is Good
(00:13:10-00:21:42) The Process of Mentoring
(00:21:42-00:24:45) Tips for Those Considering Leaving Their Job
(00:24:45-00:27:45) Necessary Skills for Success in Construction Industry
(00:27:45-00:33:50) A Mental Exercise to Understand Yourself Better
(00:33:50-00:38:02) The Concept of Action Faking
(00:38:02-00:38:38) Outro
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Bricks & Bytes
#082 - "Most of it doesn't work" - The Truth Behind Construction Tech, Why The Construction Productivity Problem is BS and Why AutoDesk Can't Handle Feedback - With Darren Young
In today’s episode of Bricks & Bytes, we have Darren Young, Director of Construction Technology at UMC
In this episode, we learn the importance of personal relationships at work, developing a mindset to challenge conventional thinking, re-evaluating the construction industry's so-called productivity problem, and much more!
Tune in to find out about:
How personal relationships impact work and why some people you help will still dislike you
Why IT departments often frustrate their internal customers
How social media provides exposure but fails to build real professional networks
Why much construction tech fails to move the needle on efficiency
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Darren Young | Director of Construction Technology at UMC
Timestamps:
(00:00:00-00:08:45) Intro
(00:08:45-00:16:14) Role of Director of Construction Technology
(00:16:14-00:24:00) Controversial Topics
(00:24:00-00:27:20) The Impact of Social Media on Networking
(00:27:20-00:41:35) Why Construction Productivity is BS
(00:41:35-00:50:22) Cultivating a Mindset for Independent Thinking Beyond the Norm
(00:50:22-00:50:22) 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
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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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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