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
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Bricks & Bytes
$100K Lost Before Breaking Ground - Understanding Risk Management In Construction
Lost $100,000 before even breaking ground on a construction projectIt happens more often than you think in the construction industry.In today's episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, we had Victor Zhang from Trestle and we got to learn about the hidden profit leaks in construction, why phone calls still beat emails in B2B sales, and how AI is actually being used in construction tech... and many more!Tune in to find out about:✅ Why construction companies lose money before projects even start✅ The real reason email marketing fails with general contractors✅ How proprietary data creates stronger defensibility than AI algorithms✅ Why now is the perfect time to start a construction tech companyVictor shared real examples from his 15 years as a civil engineer and how he built Trestle into an AI-driven risk management platform for general contractors.The talent shortage in construction is so severe that if your startup fails, there will be more jobs waiting for you than when you left.Listen now on Spotify to hear the full conversation about building in the construction tech space.
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Bricks & Bytes
Construction Robots Drop From $100K to $15K: Why Every Contractor Will Buy One in 2025
"We acquired a robotics company that nobody knows about and robot costs just crashed from $100,000 to $15,000."In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we had Matt Daly, CMO of DroneDeploy, and we got to learn about the hidden robotics revolution happening in construction, why most startups are choosing the wrong funding path, and how AI agents with "a million eyeballs" are about to transform job sites... and many more!Tune in to find out about:✅ How ground robots went from $100K to $15K and why this changes everything ✅ Why 60% of DroneDeploy's new customers come from word of mouth ✅ The biggest mistake early-stage construction tech founders make with funding ✅ How multimodal AI models are replacing human-powered data analysisListen now on Spotify to discover why Matt believes "this is such a phenomenal time to be building products in reality capture" and what's coming this fall that will deliver answers, not just mountains of photos.
Chapters00:00 Intro03:24 Introduction and Overview of DroneDeploy06:20 The Role of Robotics and AI in Construction09:17 Merging for Market Consolidation12:07 The Future of Reality Capture Solutions15:19 Vision for Automated Data Capture18:18 Challenges in Robotics and Automation21:02 Cost Dynamics in Ground Robotics24:10 The Impact of Major Tech Companies27:02 Understanding Customer Personas30:00 Visibility and Data Sharing Among Stakeholders33:07 Customization of Solutions for Different Trades35:56 Lessons Learned in Business Growth40:01 Mastering Talent Acquisition47:07 Navigating Capital Acquisition53:59 Effective Resource Allocation01:00:18 Marketing Strategies and Customer Acquisition01:03:26 The Evolution of Reality Capture with AI01:06:17 Pricing Models in Construction Software
€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