This Fortune 500 Company Had Never Used Excel Until 2016 - The $300B Tech Gap in Store Development
"I got employee of the year in 2016 for introducing Excel to my company."That's the state of technology in the $300 billion store development industry.In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we sat down with Genevieve Davis and Alim Uderbekov from Surfaice. These two met on a beach in California (yes, really) and decided to tackle one of the most analog industries out there with AI agents.Here's what we covered:✅ Why companies building hundreds of stores aren't using Procore (hint: it's expensive and they're retailers, not developers)✅ The "McDonald's is a race car" analogy - why 40,000 cookie-cutter restaurants are actually the perfect use case for AI in construction✅ How code is becoming a commodity and why that changes everything about vertical software✅ Why AI won't take your job, but people who know how to use it willLink in comments - give it a listen if you're in retail, store development, or just want to hear how two people turned a beach conversation into a company.Our Sponsors:Aphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.coArchdesk - “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.ioChapters00:00 Intro03:46 Introduction to Surface and Founders' Backgrounds 06:48 The Vision Behind Surface and AI in Construction 09:41 The Meeting of Minds: Genevieve and Alim's Collaboration 12:45 Current Challenges in Store Development 15:30 AI's Role in Automating Construction Processes 18:32 Efficiency Gains and Time Savings with AI 21:44 The Future of Store Development and Human Touchpoints 24:30 Defensibility and Business Model of Surface 27:25 Funding and Future Plans for Surface 39:13 Investment Insights and Strategic Partnerships 41:31 Customer Engagement and Feedback 44:33 AI in Construction: Transforming Workflows 47:14 Navigating the Go-To-Market Strategy 54:20 Understanding Competition in the AI Space 59:25 Customization and Onboarding Process 01:03:07 Future of AI in Construction
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Bricks & Bytes
LIVE at SpeckleCon 2025 - Bricks & Bytes - Full Stream
In this special episode, we're broadcasting live from SpeckleCon 2025 in London, where the future of construction technology is being written in real-time. We sat down with some of the biggest names in AEC tech to talk about the one thing everyone's finally paying attention to: data.
We hear from Suffolk Construction and Pomerlau on turning BIM chaos into usable data, MultiConsult's Morten on giving engineers superpowers with Python, Martin Day's warning that we're all horses before the industrial revolution, Oliver Thomas on why small firms will beat the giants in the AI race, and Speckle's Dimitrie and Virginia on their push to become the data platform that finally fixes this broken industry.
Key Takeaways:• Data accessibility is the new battleground - visibility matters more than authoring tools• General contractors are leading the charge on data infrastructure• Off-the-shelf LLMs don't work well for AEC without fine-tuning• The visualization industry is getting disrupted by AI right now• Open source doesn't mean free, but it does mean you own your exit strategy• Outcome-based pricing is coming for construction software• The market for design seats might be 50% smaller than we think once AI hits
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Bricks & Bytes
How Our High School Band Led To HVAC Software - Building HVAKR
From indie rock band to HVAC software startup—how's that for a pivot?In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Davis Muxlow and Andrew Krippner from HVAKR and we got to learn about building construction tech from the ground up, the innovator's dilemma killing legacy software companies, and why making products faster might actually hurt your revenue... and many more!Tune in to find out about:✅ How a church worship team "audition" turned into a college band and eventually a software company✅ Why legacy HVAC programs are making engineers slower despite new updates✅ The double-edged sword of efficiency: one engineer now doing the work of three✅ How AI is forcing SaaS companies to rethink their entire pricing modelThese guys went from mechanical engineering students with a Slack channel full of startup ideas to building a product that's actually making their customers more productive.The kicker? Their product works so well that customers need fewer seats. That's the kind of problem you want to have.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.ioAphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.coChapters00:00 Intro03:19 The Musical Beginnings 05:20 From Bandmates to Entrepreneurs 09:13 The Path to HVACR 15:07 Building the Foundation of HVACR 19:02 The Accelerator Journey 25:10 The Product Unveiled 31:15 The Importance of Design in HVACR 35:18 Streamlining HVAC Design Processes 40:43 Design as a Differentiator 41:38 Innovative Pricing Models 44:35 Streamlining Sales Processes 48:12 Effective Trial Management 54:40 Customer-Centric Product Development 57:10 Building a Personal Brand 1:03:02 The Value of Transparency 1:04:13 Avoiding Common Mistakes in Product Design 1:09:25 Metrics of Success in Software Usage
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Bricks & Bytes
90% of Construction Firms Have ZERO Employees - The Reality of Residential Construction in America
How do you run a $2 trillion segment of the economy with just a book?In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Dmitry Alexin from Handoff and we got to learn about how AI is transforming residential construction, why 90% of US construction firms are one-person operations struggling with back-office work, and how a former IMF economist ended up building technology that delivers cost estimates in 30 seconds... and many more!Tune in to find out about:✅ Why traditional construction cost data is stuck in the physical book era and how real-time APIs are changing the game✅ How contractors can now delegate entire workflows to an AI agent through simple voice commands while driving between jobs✅ Why selling to residential contractors requires throwing out the enterprise playbook and leading with instant product value✅ The surprising shift of professionals from marketing and accounting backgrounds entering residential construction with a software-first mindsetWatch now to hear Dmitry's journey from GDP forecasting during the Ebola pandemic to revolutionizing how residential contractors run their businesses.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.ioAphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.coChapters00:00 Intro03:40 Introduction to Handoff and Its Purpose06:41 Dmitry's Background and Transition to Construction09:30 The Data Challenge in Construction12:49 Building the First Real-Time API for Construction Prices15:35 The Evolution of Handoff and Its Features18:37 The Importance of Accurate Estimating21:37 The Role of AI in Construction Estimating24:40 Understanding Labor and Material Costs27:32 Streamlining Procurement Processes30:36 Product-Led Growth Strategy33:35 Overcoming Skepticism in the Industry37:55 Leading with Value: Product-Led Growth38:42 Go-To-Market Strategies: Finding Your Audience43:24 Targeting Residential Contractors: A Strategic Choice46:54 The Role of AI Agents in Construction Tech49:25 Learning from Failures: Experimentation in Startups55:35 Future of Construction: Robotics and Material Science58:60 Funding Insights: Building a Diverse Investor Base01:05:05 Advice for Technical Founders: Embracing Humility01:07:15 Join the Team: Opportunities at Handoff
AEC's Craziest Acquisition Ever? Landing Page 101, UK Construction Doomed, Robotics to win 2026
Is the $390M AECOM-Consigli Deal Actually Worth It? (And Why Everyone Has an Opinion)In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Owen, Martin, and Dustin dive into the construction tech industry's hottest acquisition while unpacking what it means for the future of AEC software.Key topics discussed:The AECOM acquisition of Norwegian AI startup Consigli for $390M and whether the valuation is justifiedEngineering consultancies buying software startups: smart strategy or risky bet?Dustin's firsthand experience with acquisitions and what actually happens post-dealThe hidden challenges of integrating AI software into traditional construction firmsOut-of-the-box LLMs vs. custom-built AI: which wins for construction takeoffs?Announcing the AEC Prediction Market closed beta (launching December 8th)"The level of precision that these models are gonna reach is gonna far exceed even what you would do on your own at some point. And it's very, very close anyway." – Dustin DeVanPlus: Why Owen's satirical LinkedIn post about the deal went viral, Dustin's impressive turkey trot performance, and the upcoming debate between Luigi and Powers on whether general AI models can truly replace specialized construction tools.Our SponsorsAphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.coArchdesk - “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.ioChapters00:00 Intro01:24 Introduction to Live Streaming Challenges 07:24 Discussion on AECOM's Acquisition of Consigli 19:19 The King Making Strategy in VC Investments 24:22 Funding Strategies in Competitive Markets 26:26 The Challenges of Venture Capital 29:19 Navigating Market Pressures and Investment Timing 31:40 UK Construction Market Trends 34:19 US Construction Landscape and Economic Outlook 36:10 Innovations in Construction Technology 38:07 The Future of Robotics in Construction 41:10 Landing Page Strategies for Startups 50:48 The Importance of Visuals in Product Presentation 53:14 Building Trust Through Social Proof 53:56 Effective Website Design Principles 55:51 The Role of Terminology in Industry Credibility 59:07 Innovative Approaches to AI in Construction 01:02:53 The Upcoming LLM Debate01:09:20 Launching the AEC Prediction Market
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
Bobyard's $35M AI Claims, Oracle's $523B Backlog, Larry Ellison's Debt Mastery, Parallax Worlds $4.9M Robot Testing, ChatGPT vs Construction Reality
Can You Really Bid a Construction Project in Minutes? One Founder Says Yes, a Contractor Says It's "Completely Inaccurate"In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Martin, Patric, and Dustin tear into the latest construction tech funding news, Oracle's jaw-dropping earnings, and set up what might be the most heated debate in AEC tech this year.What's covered:Bobyard's $35M Series A for AI-powered takeoffs—and why Dustin thinks their marketing claims miss the mark on how pre-construction actually worksOracle's $523 billion revenue backlog (yes, that's more than the GDP of Norway, Austria, and Vietnam combined)How Larry Ellison became the master of debt financing and why the AI bubble might not be bursting yetTanmay Agarwal from Parallax Worlds joins to explain their $4.9M raise and how they stress-test robots in hyper-realistic digital twins before they hit factory floorsThe battle lines drawn: Mike Powers and Luigi La Corte face off in a heated teaser for Tuesday's debate on whether ChatGPT and Gemini have actually "solved" construction estimatingThe quote:"Estimating, quantity takeoff is not the most time consuming aspect of pre-construction. For any person that's ever been a part of pre-construction, that spans years. You do not spend years doing quantity takeoff." — DustinPlus, next week is the final episode of 2025—and there might be costumes involved.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.ioAphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.coChapters00:00 Intro01:31 Introduction and Overview of Topics 04:24 Bobyard's Series A Funding and Impact on Construction 07:18 Debate on Trade-Specific Models vs. General Models 10:21 Challenges in Construction Estimation 13:22 The Role of Pricing in Construction Estimation 16:08 Oracle's Financial Performance and Its Implications 19:03 Future of AI in Construction 31:44 The Role of AI in Financial Models 32:41 Data Centers and the Future of AI 33:53 Understanding Oracle's Business Model 35:22 Debt Financing and Its Implications 37:19 Market Dynamics in Dubai's Real Estate 39:58 The German Economy and Construction Trends 41:19 Current State of the US Construction Market 49:33 Advancements in Robotics and AI Testing 1:00:33 Intersection of Hardware and Software in Robotics 1:01:15 Construction Robotics and Digital Twins 1:02:37 The Value of Simulation in Construction Tech 1:03:31 Data Integration from On-Site Solutions 1:04:10 Closing Thoughts and Future Directions 1:07:39 Debate on AI in Construction 1:12:24 Open Source and Benchmarking in Construction Tech
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
nPlan Raises £11.9M Series B, AI Agents Lack Evals Crisis, WhatsApp Dominates 90% Site Communication
"Most AI Agents Will Die" - Why This CTO Is Terrified About What's Coming
In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, hosts Owen Drury, Martin, and Patric Hellermann sit down with some of construction tech's boldest builders who aren't holding back. Fresh off massive funding rounds and hard-won lessons, they reveal what's really happening behind the hype.
What we cover: - nPlan's £11.9M Series B - Alan Mosca (CTO) explains why they accidentally solved molecule generation while building scheduling AI- Factors' $56M raise - How they're financing $250-300M of construction work annually (and the "trick" banks don't want you to know)- The AI agent apocalypse - Why lack of evaluation frameworks will "kill off most agents"- WhatsApp is eating construction tech - 90% of site communication happens here, and smart founders are finally paying attention- Smart glasses revolution - Why this could be as transformative as mobile phones on construction sites- AI consultancies without humans - The controversial future of PM firms charging on outcomes, not hours- Why one founder stopped fundraising - "Customer money is the best capital" and why raising is a "massive distraction"- 5 accelerators, 5 lessons - Prakash Senghani (Navatech) on contradictory advice and what actually works in the Middle East- Regional pricing secrets - Why per-user pricing fails in the UAE and what to do instead
Key Quote:"I think we're getting to a stage where AI is going to become like the internet, right? You don't tell people that my app runs on the internet. That's obvious. You're going to get to a stage where your app has AI. Yeah, that's obvious, right? What are you doing with it? What's the outcome?" - Prakash Senghani
Featuring: Alan Mosca (nPlan CTO), Nitin Bhandari (Planera), and Prakash Senghani (Navatech)
🎧 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/
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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.com
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Chapters00:00 Intro02:12 Introduction and Guest Introduction04:61 Funding News and Company Growth08:03 Technological Innovations in Scheduling10:40 Generative Models and Unexpected Discoveries13:31 Developing Custom Models for Specific Tasks16:24 The Importance of Data and Research19:08 Convergence of Machine Learning Techniques22:13 AI Skepticism and Misuse24:52 The Future of AI in Construction Tech28:08 Collaborative Scheduling and User Experience30:57 Evaluating AI Performance33:36 Insights from Nitin on Data Center Construction36:32 Planera's Unique Approach to Scheduling39:28 The Role of AI in Scheduling42:20 Lessons from Past Collaborative Tools45:18 The Future of Scheduling Technology46:33 Introduction and Context Setting47:25 Navigating Growing Pains in Business48:17 The Role of AI in Business Operations49:44 Understanding the Product and Its Impact51:14 Practical Applications of AI in Safety54:45 Target Customers and Market Strategy55:48 Shifting Gears: The Future of Construction Tech1:00:17 The Evolution of Software and Company Structures1:04:09 Current Business Climate in the Region1:06:13 The Rise of Construction Tech Startups1:10:05 Experiences with Accelerators1:15:39 Pricing Strategies for Startups1:18:41 Conclusion and Future Outlook
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
Procore’s AI Bomb, Should VCs Pick Ideas, Revolutionary Site Layout Tool
Last week at Groundbreak, Procore launched Helix AI Agents claiming to make startups like Trunk Tools and Datagrid "obsolete overnight."In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, we invited Datagrid's CEO Tiago to respond (spoiler: he ghosted us... draw your own conclusions 👀)Owen, Martin, Dustin, and Patric also dives into one of the most controversial questions in startup investing: Should founders ask VCs for business ideas?In this episode:Why asking investors for startup ideas means you're already losingThe real reason big corporations can never innovate from withinWhere the truth about building outlier businesses actually liesWhy construction tech is heating up right now (and nobody knows what's coming)The Procore AI agent announcement that's shaking up the industryHow to find insights that actually matter (hint: it's not from VCs)The Brutal Reality: "If a VC had such a unique insight on that business, it would almost be a compelling enough reason to leave their job to pursue it because those things are so special and so rare"The construction tech arena is heating up. Big announcements. Bold claims. But who's actually solving real problems?If you're building in construction tech, this episode reveals the playbook no one's talking about.Watch the full breakdown before everyone else figures it out.
Chapters00:00 Intro01:32 Introduction to Business Ideas and AI Agents04:21 The Role of Investors in Business Ideation07:26 The Nature of Outlier Businesses10:05 The Limitations of VC Insights13:01 The Impact of New Browsers on Market Dynamics15:54 Procore's AI Agent Announcement and Industry Reactions18:51 Comparing Procore with Competitors28:01 Procore's Evolving Submittal Process29:04 Market Dominance and Industry Assumptions29:45 AI's Role in Construction Tech30:59 Data Activation Challenges32:10 The Importance of Data Connectivity33:54 Market Power and Vendor Lock-in34:23 Assumptions in the Construction Tech Landscape35:34 Tracy's Insights on Startup Strategies36:44 Defensibility in Construction Tech38:28 Collaboration and Network Effects39:20 Introduction to Mechasys40:07 Innovative Layout Solutions42:29 As-Built Documentation and Modifications44:29 Comparing Layout Solutions46:15 Hardware Development and Manufacturing49:20 Accuracy and Cost Competitiveness51:39 Understanding BOM Costs in Manufacturing54:32 Product Versatility and Customer Needs55:23 Innovations in Construction Management Software01:00:06 Challenges Faced by Residential Contractors01:04:21 The Importance of Estimating in Construction01:08:04 Navigating the Competitive Landscape of Construction Tech
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