We're Already Too Late - Real Talk on Labor Crisis Solutions from Construction Brothers and Bricks & Bytes
"We reacted too late to the labor shortage. Now we need to work smarter - it has to happen."In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we had Tyler Campbell, host of Construction Brothers Podcast, and we got to learn about why construction tech keeps failing, the reality behind the $13 trillion industry myth, and how major projects still run on Excel spreadsheets... and many more!Tyler shared eye-opening insights from his journey building FieldProof and interviewing hundreds of industry leaders.Tune in to find out about:✅ Why RFIs have become weapons for project delays ✅ The real reason construction apps fail to get field adoption ✅ How a £100 million project runs entirely on Excel ✅ Why robotics and AI agents are the only path forwardThe construction industry is more fragmented than we think. Time to face the hard truths about where we're heading.Watch now on Youtube to hear the full conversation about construction's biggest challenges and what comes next.--------------Chapters00:00 Intro01:50 Introduction and Podcast Origins04:53 The Fragmentation of the Construction Industry07:43 The Journey of Starting a Podcast13:50 Content Creation and Audience Engagement19:55 Challenges and Issues in the Construction Industry28:14 Comparing Construction Markets: US vs UK32:04 Mindset and Risk-Taking in Construction36:17 The Role of Technology in Construction39:36 Data Collection Challenges in Construction44:44 The Future of Robotics in Construction51:21 Human-Centric Technology in Construction
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Bricks & Bytes
Every Home Is A Prototype - 30X Growth & Mass Customization from Ex-Amazon VP
"We're building about 30 times more square footage this year than we did last year."That's what Vikas Enti told me. And he's not talking about some massive construction company.He's talking about a startup that's completely reimagining how homes get built.In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we had Vikas Enti, CEO of Reframe Systems and former Amazon Robotics VP, and we got to learn about how he's applying mass customization principles from e-commerce to solve the housing crisis, why every home built today is essentially a prototype, and how his team can fix construction mistakes in 9 minutes while the industry takes weeks... and many more!Vikas spent 11 years at Amazon Robotics deploying over half a million robots. Now he's using that same software-defined manufacturing approach to build climate-resilient homes faster and cheaper than traditional construction.Tune in to find out about:✅ Why the assembly line approach is killing modular construction ✅ How they're solving the skilled trades shortage with iPad instructions ✅ The real reason construction costs $350-450 per square foot in infill markets ✅ Why 40% of plumbers and electricians will retire in the next 10 yearsListen now on Spotify and discover how one team is turning construction into a software problem.
Chapters03:00 Introduction and Recent Developments06:03 Expansion into California and Fire Resilience08:45 Vikas Enti's Background and Transition to Construction12:11 The Need for Mass Customization in Construction15:01 Software-Defined Manufacturing and Automation17:55 Design Automation and User Interaction20:55 Challenges in Hardware and Automation24:08 The Future of Construction and Change Management35:41 Navigating Change Management in Construction37:30 The Shift to Developer-Centric Models39:11 Embracing a Beginner's Mindset for Innovation41:50 Scaling Microfactories and Business Models44:48 Delivering Turnkey Solutions: The Role of Microfactories48:31 Unit Economics and Competitive Positioning52:24 Balancing Profitability and Affordability54:29 Understanding Competition in the Construction Industry59:32 The Information Problem in Construction
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Bricks & Bytes
Most Startups Die at $5M ARR - Breaking the $10M Barrier in Construction Tech
"The best renewal is no renewal. So closing a three-year agreement, right?"In today's episode of our Go To Market Series from the Bricks & Bytes Podcast, we have Kevin Halter (CRO of OpenSpace) share his journey from scaling PlanGrid from $5M to $100M+ ARR and building high-performing sales teams in construction tech.Tune in to find out about:✅ Why construction tech requires a unique go-to-market approach focused on project-level ROI✅ How to transition from project-level sales to enterprise agreements (the key to breaking the $10M ARR ceiling)✅ What to look for when hiring sales talent ("fire in the belly")✅ When founders should hire their first VP of Sales vs CROWhether you're a founder struggling with the 5-10M ARR plateau or a sales leader in construction tech, this episode delivers practical insights on building scalable go-to-market motions in an industry where "it's easy to start a pilot, but hard to scale."
06:30 Introduction to Construction Tech Journey09:30 Scaling from 5M to 100M ARR12:31 Understanding Project-Level Value15:22 Building Trust and Transparency in Construction18:28 Transitioning to Enterprise-Level Sales21:28 The Importance of Customer Success Management24:28 Hiring the Right Sales Team27:29 Effective Communication with Executives30:24 Building Long-Term Partnerships33:31 Creating a Scalable Sales Model44:47 Building Long-Term Partnerships (appears to be repeated)48:30 Lessons from Biotech for Construction Tech53:17 Hiring and Scaling Sales Team57:57 Developing Talent and Leadership1:07:31 Choosing the Right Company to Join1:14:53 When to Hire a Chief Revenue Officer
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Bricks & Bytes
Construction Tech Marketing is Broken - Industry Skepticism Problem & Proven Go-to-Market from Ex-director of Marketing at 4M Analytics
"We're in an industry that loves ROI calculators... but the industry has built some sort of skepticism to these ROI calculators."This reality check from David Horesh hit different.In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had David Horesh and we got to learn about why construction marketing is still a blue ocean, how to avoid the handshake trap, and why memes might be your secret weapon... and many more!Tune in to find out about:✅ Why understanding construction jargon is make-or-break for tech marketers✅ The leaky bucket problem killing your sales funnel✅ How AI agents can replace entire marketing teams✅ Why construction professionals want memes with their morning coffeeDavid spent 7 years helping construction tech companies go from zero to serious ARR. His insights on digital marketing in a traditional industry will change how you think about go-to-market.Listen now on Spotify and discover what most construction tech founders get wrong about marketing.----------Chapters00:00 Intro01:52 Introduction to David Horesh and His Journey04:50 Understanding Go-To-Market Strategies07:52 The Importance of Knowing Your Customer10:52 Defining Go-To-Market Team Structures13:50 Navigating Change in the Construction Industry16:54 Building Relationships and Network Effects19:43 The Role of ROI in Marketing Strategies22:54 Marketing Channels in Construction26:00 Leveraging Digital Marketing in Construction28:42 Creating Engaging Content for the Industry38:22 Building Relationships in Marketing40:37 From Traffic to Sales: The Conversion Process43:27 The Importance of Awareness and Trust48:52 Understanding the Marketing Funnel55:58 Recruiting the Right Marketing Talent01:01:51 Leveraging AI in Marketing01:04:51 Measuring Marketing Success
$500k Salaries for Mechanics, VC’s Getting Defrauded, DOT Causes Chaos
"You give me money, and I tell you, 'I'm going to circle back in 18 months and let you know what I did with your money.' That's what a safe note is."In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Martin, Mike Powers, Dustin DeVan, and Patric Hellermann dive into the messy reality of construction tech funding, government policy shakeups, and the AI hype that's burning through millions.Key topics discussed:The brutal truth about EU vs US startup ecosystems and where the smart money is goingWhy safe notes are "stupid money" and how founders are getting away with zero accountabilityCharlie Javis sentenced to 7 years for defrauding JPMorgan with fake user numbersConstruction AI is boring: why every startup is chasing the same chatbot dreamDepartment of Transportation's new ruling that just invalidated 40,000+ DBE certifications overnightHeavy equipment mechanics earning $500K through on-demand platforms while dealers pay them $80KPlus, guest interviews with:Alex Kraft, founder of Heave, on disrupting the $180/hour equipment repair racketWissam Akra, CEO of Toughleaf, breaking down the DOT policy bomb that's reshaping billions in infrastructure contracts"Think about how absolutely stupid that method is. You come to me, you offer me money, and I tell you, 'I'm going to circle back in 18 months and let you know what I did with your money.' That's what a safe note is." From government shutdowns to mechanics making half a million on an app, this episode exposes what's really happening behind the scenes in construction tech.--------------Our Sponsor: Archdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.com
Chapters00:00 Intro01:35 Introduction and Government Shutdown Discussion04:07 Comparing EU and US Startups05:29 The Future of Startups in the EU08:29 Investment Trends in the US and EU11:00 Challenges in Construction Tech Across Borders14:06 Transactional Models and Regional Specificity15:41 Startup Ecosystems in Construction17:17 The Future of Construction Tech Startups18:23 AI in Pre-Construction and Its Limitations22:24 Fraud in Startups: A Cautionary Tale30:52 Introducing HEAVE: A Marketplace for Heavy Equipment Repairs38:19 Transforming an Antiquated Industry40:39 Service Agreements and Customer Trust42:16 Innovative Pricing Models in Equipment Maintenance47:46 Changes in DBE Certification and Its Impact55:31 The Future of Construction Tech and Compliance
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
NEOM Cancelled, 21K Dead, SoftBank's $5.4B Bet, Track3D Raises $10M
Is Saudi Arabia's $500B Dream Dead? Plus: The $5.4B Robotics Deal That Changes EverythingIn this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Owen, Martin, and Patric dive into the biggest construction and tech stories shaking up the industry right now.What we cover:NEOM's collapse - Why Saudi Arabia is pulling the plug on "The Line" and what it means for construction startups in the region (spoiler: 21,000 workers died building this dream)SoftBank's massive $5.4B bet - Breaking down the ABB Robotics acquisition and what "physical AI" really means for constructionThe humanoid vs. specialized robots debate - Which will actually take over construction sites first?Calvin from CrewScope on using gamification to boost worker productivity (yes, leaderboards for drywallers are real)NK from Track3D reveals how they raised $10M to turn reality capture data into instant project insights - no BIM model requiredThe AI circus continues - From OpenAI "killing 1000 startups" to Nvidia's brilliant financing scheme with xAIKey quote: "People have been trying solutions for so long. I don't think it's on the industry - they've been trying. It's on us as technology providers. Our technology is not simple enough." - NK Chaitanya, Track3DPlus: Owen somehow gets invited to speak at an RICS conference after failing their exam three times. Sometimes persistence beats credentials.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
Chapters00:00 Intro01:15 Introduction and Personal Insights on Health Tracking04:01 The Impact of Technology on Health and Well-being07:22 Exploring the Neom Project and Its Challenges09:55 The Future of Neom and Its Implications for Startups12:43 Investor Perspectives on Government-Funded Projects16:02 The Robotics Acquisition and Market Dynamics24:27 Understanding the Robotics Value Chain29:17 The Impact of Chinese Robotics on Western Markets30:49 SoftBank's Strategic Acquisition of ABB Robotics32:45 The Future of Robotics in Construction34:19 AI's Influence on the Robotics Industry39:49 Exploring CrewScope's Innovative Approach to Construction52:43 Building Partnerships in the Construction Industry53:11 Transformative Labor Savings in Construction55:01 Building Partnerships for Innovation55:13 Behavioral Change in Technology Adoption56:27 Automating Construction Monitoring with Track3D58:11 Expanding Go-To-Market Strategies59:59 Simplicity in Reality Capture Solutions01:01:41 Customer Preparedness and Market Dynamics01:04:34 The Role of Technology in Construction Verification01:06:43 Pricing Strategies for Construction Technology01:08:47 Global Team Dynamics in Tech Development01:09:49 The Future of Construction Technology
This female founder just broke a construction tech record that no one saw comingIn this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Owen, Dustin, Maria, Kevin, and Stjepan dive deep into the biggest moves shaking up construction tech right now.Key topics discussed:- Maria Davidson's historic $94M fundraise - the most ever raised by a female founder in construction tech- Why mixing venture capital with strategic partnerships is the secret sauce for growth - Procore's surprising new CEO choice and what it means for the industry- Oracle's aggressive push into construction tech and the M&A war heating up- Why Zoom is killing your career and you need to get back to face-to-face meetings- The hidden AI revolution happening in construction companies (that management doesn't know about)- Data center boom creating massive opportunities and risks for contractors- How to build authentic relationships that actually close enterprise deals
Key quote:"I'm very surprised by this selection because this person was already on the board of Procore where Procore has been stagnant since they went IPO. You've been sitting at the table the entire time and the stock's done nothing." - Dustin on Procore's new CEO pickFrom record-breaking fundraises to controversial leadership decisions, this episode reveals the power moves and industry secrets that are reshaping construction tech forever.-----------------Chapters00:00 Intro01:25 Introduction and Technical Difficulties04:08 Celebrating Investment Success07:13 The Value of Strategic vs. Venture Capital10:04 Hiring and Building a Strong Team13:08 The Importance of Candidate Experience16:16 Future Plans and Market Expansion19:11 Navigating Industry Challenges and Opportunities25:51 Navigating the Solar Industry and Employment Challenges28:09 Strategic Partnerships and Investment in Construction Tech30:55 Innovations in Project Management and Supply Chain Solutions34:26 Procore's New Leadership and Industry Implications43:24 Oracle's Strategic Positioning in Construction Tech45:30 M&A Activity in Construction Tech46:30 Oracle's Strategic Moves48:18 The Importance of Community in Construction Tech49:22 The Future of Major Players in Construction Tech50:26 Building Relationships Beyond Zoom56:17 Cultural Considerations in Business01:00:25 AI in AEC: Perspectives and Opportunities01:04:22 Building a Business Around AI01:08:28 The Power of Authentic Communication----------🎧 Listen to the Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3P7JkiN9X3N4Kh6jlDsOgi?si=91JP5nxvQbKStkp8AQdAOg 📩 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/
Sponsors:BuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.ioArchdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.comEnjoying the insights? Hit that Subscribe button to stay ahead in construction tech, AI, and the future of how we build.
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
Oracle $100B Hour, AI Government Fail, OpenSpace CEO, Barefoot Office Debate
Oracle's CEO Just Made $100 Billion in One Hour While Your Government Wastes Millions on AI That Doesn't WorkIn this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Owen, Dustin, and Martin dive deep into the wild world of tech promises, government failures, and what's really happening behind the scenes in construction technology.Key Topics:Oracle's shocking $300 billion OpenAI deal and Larry Ellison's instant $100 billion windfallWhy the UK government's Microsoft Copilot trial was a complete disasterThe brutal truth about why companies keep buying expensive software that doesn't workOpenSpace CEO Jeevan Kalanithi reveals how reality capture is evolving beyond just taking picturesWhether going barefoot in the office makes you a genius or just weirdWhy pre-construction technology is decades behind field management toolsThe real reason AI won't save construction anytime soonSpecial guest Jeevan Kalanithi from OpenSpace joins to discuss their major Waypoint conference announcements and shares his thoughts on the AI race in construction.Key Quote: "No one's ever going to get fired because they bought Microsoft or Oracle. That's why Microsoft Teams is everywhere, even though it's trash." - DustinFrom billion-dollar stock moves to taxpayer waste to the future of building, this episode exposes the gap between tech hype and construction reality.
Chapters00:00 Intro01:45 Introduction and Travel Updates04:37 Oracle's Rise and AI Partnerships07:32 Oracle's Financial Forecast and Market Impact10:26 Productivity Trials and Microsoft 365 Co-Pilot13:05 Government Trials and AI in Planning15:52 Debate on Office Attire and Footwear27:44 The Importance of Company Culture30:13 Fashion and Professionalism in the Workplace34:46 Funding Announcements and Market Dynamics41:20 Reality Capture and Its Future in Construction55:20 Trends in RealityCapture59:11 The Importance of Data Consolidation01:02:11 Safety and Progress Tracking in Construction01:07:02 Navigating Competition in the Market01:09:58 The Role of AI in RealityCapture01:13:50 Future Directions and Company Vision
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