Reality Capture's $200M Investment: Where's the Profit? - Mostafa Akbari
Reality capture in construction raised hundreds of millions, but where are the profitable businesses?
In this episode, we had Mo Akbari, ex-founder of HoloBuilder, discussing the state of reality capture technology in construction. We explored funding trends, market dynamics, and the challenges of building sustainable businesses in this space.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ Why reality capture startups struggle to achieve profitability despite significant funding
✅ The evolution of capture technologies and AI's potential impact
✅ Insights on valuation trends and fundraising strategies in construction tech
✅ Key advice for founders building products with high user adoption
Note: This video is a repost from Bricks, Bucks and Bytes.
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/
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.
read more
Bricks & Bytes
Rise Of The Digital Revolution. Construction’s New Business Models And Code
Get ready to rethink construction. Industry expert reveals the tectonic shifts happening beneath construction’s surface. And shows how you can capitalise it.
Olivier Lepinoy, Director of Business Development at Vinci, esteemed Autodesk alum, and Hyper Construction think tank founder, explains why an "invisible revolution" is taking the industry by storm.
Listen to him as he exposes the stark divide between companies "playing defence" through operational efficiencies and those boldly "playing offence" by reinventing their revenue models. Plus, take a peek at futuristic hybrid models" leveraging digital platforms and data-centric roles like originators, aggregators, and consumers.
From venture capitals to cross-industry investors, explore the innovative ways leading construction giants are diversifying into new markets and services.
Key Takeaways
Why "defence-only" (cost-cutting and efficiency) isn't enough for sustained success in construction
How companies are fearlessly reshaping their business models for the digital era
The rise of venture capital funds, tech acquisitions, and surprising partnerships in the AEC space
The "hybrid model" where traditional construction meets digital platforms and data-driven innovation
And a lot more.
—----------------------------
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
--------------------------------------------
Stay ahead. Get all the news and insider exclusives delivered straight to your inbox.
Sign up for our newsletter The Bytes Line 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/
—---------------------------
Timestamps:
(00:00:00-00:02:18) Intro
(00:02:18-00:05:40) Why Business Models And Not Technology
(00:05:40-00:14:56) Case Studies of Business Models
(00:14:56-00:31:25) Business Models in Construction
(00:31:25-00:39:10) Companies In Construction vs Companies in other sectors
(00:39:10-00:41:20) Olivier's Favourite Business Model
(00:41:20-00:43:04) Outro
read more
Bricks & Bytes
Building The Most Wanted Robot in Construction - Dusty Robotics CEO Tessa Lau
Note: This is a Re-Release of an episode that was originally released on BitBuilders.
Did you know that a simple mistake in construction layout can cost millions?
In this episode of BitBuilders, we had Tessa Lau, CEO of Dusty Robotics, and we got to learn about transforming construction with robots, the journey from prototype to product, and why human-robot teams are the future of building... and many more!
Tune in to find out about:
✅ How a home remodel sparked a construction tech revolution
✅ Why automating high-value tasks is key to robotics adoption
✅ The power of "building in public" for hardware startups
✅ What construction sites might look like in 20 years
Listen to the full episode on Spotify to hear Tessa's insights on innovating in traditional industries and her advice for aspiring robotics founders.
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/
read more
Bricks & Bytes
How Gecko Robotics is Transforming Asset Management Using Robot Inspectors - Troy Demmer
Are robots the future of infrastructure safety? This startup's journey might surprise you.
In this episode of Bricks and Bytes, Gabriele got a chance to interview Troy Demmer, co-founder of Gecko Robotics.
We learned about Troy's journey from healthcare to robotics, the challenges of building hardware startups, and how Gecko is transforming infrastructure maintenance for both private and public sectors... and many more!
Tune in to find out about:
✅ How Gecko's robots collect 10 million data points in a day vs. 10,000 manually in a week
✅ The importance of finding the right early customers for hardware startups
✅ Navigating the complexities of government contracts and public sector work
✅ Why selling outcomes as a service can be a game-changer for robotics companies
For those who are new, BitBuilders is all about diving deep into the world of construction robotics and the innovators shaping the future of the built environment.
Note: This episode is a Re-Release from BitBuilders
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
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.
00:00 Intro to the Episode and Our Sponsors
02:00 Introduction and Background
04:12 Understanding the Built World and Asset Life Cycle
07:47 Focus on Power Boilers and Expansion to Other Structures
15:11 Delivering a Service for Asset Health Clarity
23:52 Selling a Comprehensive Health Map of Assets
25:04 Granular Data and Actionable Maps for Asset Health
27:08 Robotic Inspections and Gathering Data While Assets are Online
28:36 Data-Driven Decision-Making for Asset Lifecycle Management
29:28 Meeting Customer Needs for Novel Inspection Methods
31:14 Using Tech Stack for Future Planning and Thoughtful Decision-Making
32:42 Gecko Robotics' Small but Mighty Fleet of Robots
34:43 Supply Chain Resilience and Lessons Learned in Manufacturing Robotics
37:33 Gecko Robotics' Entry into the Public Sector and Focus on Critical Infrastructure
41:34 Working with the US Navy to Improve Ship Maintenance and Construction
48:21 Challenges of Navigating Bureaucracy in the Public Sector
50:11 Advice for Founders in the Built World: Prioritize Customer Problem-Solving
Live from AU, Hosts World Travels, University Entrepreneurship Culture, NFL Insider
In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Owen reports live from Autodesk University in Nashville while Martin shares insights from ETH Zurich's startup conference and Patrick breaks down why popular AI bubble theories are dead wrong.Key Topics Discussed:Why European universities systematically crush entrepreneurial thinkingThe truth behind construction tech's massive funding rounds (80-120M per quarter)How to spot real market bubbles vs. media hype around AI stocksWhy hardware startups face an uphill battle against venture capital preferencesThe innovation crisis at large tech companies like AutodeskPatrick's exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the LA Rams stadiumMartin's analysis of timber-earth construction panels and venture backabilityKey Quote: "You're basically being taught all the time to stay within reason. And if you want to build a really awesome company, you have to be going against the grain and doing things that other people will call you crazy for." - Patric on why universities fail at creating entrepreneursFrom concrete innovation to NFL stadium construction secrets, this episode exposes the uncomfortable truths about where construction technology is really headed.
Microsoft just bet $10M on construction AI - but industry insiders think it's a massive mistake.In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Owen, Patrick, and Dustin dive into the biggest tech moves shaking up construction while welcoming guests from two hot startups that just raised millions.Key topics discussed:Microsoft's massive $10M AI bet with Balfour Beatty - and why some think it's overpricedBluebeam acquires Firmus AI in a surprising exit storyAutodesk's crushing $1.7B earnings that made investors very happyWhy Figma's stock crashed despite good earningsOneCrew raises $7.5M to modernize paving contractorsBuildFactory's $3.3M raise for prefab marketplace (plus an epic stealth mode fail)OpenAI's ironic $400K job posting for a content strategist"Those are amazing companies, but both those pieces of software need to be shot behind the tool shed. Like they are so old." - Dustin DeVan on legacy construction softwareFrom billion-dollar acquisitions to startup war stories, this episode reveals what's really happening behind the scenes in construction tech - including how one founder got exposed by a LinkedIn web scraper and why some think Microsoft is charging contractors way too much for basic AI tools.
Our Sponsor: Archdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.comBuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.io4M Analytics - Instant, reliable utility data you can trust and verify - https://www.4manalytics.com/
Chapters00:00 Intro01:26 Introduction and Martin's Travels03:11 Microsoft's Investment in AI for Construction15:48 Acquisition of Firmus AI by Bluebeam23:50 Autodesk's Latest Earnings Report29:22 Earnings Insights and Market Reactions32:20 Autodesk's Strategic Shifts and Growth Potential34:24 Figma's Earnings and Market Positioning37:11 Figma's AI Initiatives and Future Directions51:05 OneCrew's Innovative Approach to Paving Software01:01:00 AI in Construction: The Future of Scheduling and Management01:04:37 Navigating the Challenges of Selling to Government Agencies01:05:42 Britton Langdon's Journey: From Stealth to Startup01:07:40 The Prefabrication Marketplace: Bridging Supply and Demand01:14:22 Quality Control in Prefabrication: Ensuring Standards01:20:12 Defining Prefab: Strategies for Cost and Efficiency
read more
Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
Robotics Mega Show with Dusty Robotics and ex-Waymo exec & CTO of Bedrock Robotics
Why these ex-Waymo engineers decided to conquer construction with their new startup, Bedrock Robotics.In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Owen and Patrick dive deep into the robotics revolution hitting construction with two industry-changing guests. Mo joins as co-host, bringing his Silicon Valley robotics expertise to unpack the biggest funding rounds and breakthroughs happening right now.Key topics discussed:- Why Dusty Robotics chose layout printing over flashier robot applications- How ex-Waymo engineers are retrofitting excavators with self-driving tech- The brutal truth about why most construction robotics startups failWhy accuracy is becoming the ultimate moat in construction robotics- How labor shortages are forcing the industry to embrace automation- The surprising lesson from building 60 robots in-house before outsourcing- Why Field AI's $405 million funding signals a tipping point for the industry- How construction sites are actually the perfect training ground for real-world roboticsKey quote: "Obviously everything's going to be built by robots in the future." - Tessa Lau, Dusty RoboticsFeaturing Tessa Lau, founder of Dusty Robotics (the most respected robotics company in construction tech), and Kevin Peterson, CTO of Bedrock Robotics (fresh out of stealth with $80 million to automate heavy machinery). This episode reveals why construction might be the key to unlocking robotics everywhere else.
🎧 Listen to the Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3P7JkiN9X3N4Kh6jlDsOgi?si=91JP5nxvQbKStkp8AQdAOg 📩 Subscribe to the Bricks & Bytes Newsletter: https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/🌐 Visit our website: http://bricks-bytes.com/
📲 Follow us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/ Twitter: https://x.com/bricksbytespod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/
Sponsors:BuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.io4M Analytics - Instant, reliable utility data you can trust and verify - https://www.4manalytics.com/
Enjoying the insights? Hit that Subscribe button to stay ahead in construction tech, AI, and the future of how we build.
Chapters00:00 Intro01:06 Introduction to Robotics in Construction03:53 Current Trends and Sentiments in Robotics06:45 Barriers to Adoption in Robotics09:40 Autonomy vs. Collaboration in Robotics12:40 Field AI and Its Impact on Construction15:29 Dusty Robotics: Revolutionizing Job Sites18:18 The Future of Construction with Robotics21:04 Challenges in Construction Tech23:53 The Importance of User Experience in Robotics26:55 Lessons Learned from Robotics Development29:36 The Role of Accuracy in Robotics32:50 Proprietary Hardware vs. Off-the-Shelf Solutions39:43 Prototyping and Time to Market42:40 Manufacturing Challenges in Robotics44:46 Adoption of Robotics in Construction46:23 Pricing Strategies for Hardware47:41 Building a Thriving SaaS Business49:20 Transitioning from Self-Driving Cars to Construction53:30 Unique Product Offerings in Construction Robotics56:29 Collaboration Between Humans and Machines59:24 Adapting to Change in Construction01:11:09 The Future of Robotics in Construction
read more
Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
Construction Productivity Myths, UAE Real Estate, TIMES VC Rankings, with Barton Malow
In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Owen, Martin, Dustin, and Patric dive deep into the biggest misconceptions shaking up construction and venture capital. Plus, we're joined by Victor Muchiri from Barton Malow (a $5 billion general contractor) who reveals what tech actually works in the field.What we cover:Why Dubai developers are bringing $19 billion worth of construction in-house (and whether this trend will hit the West)The shocking truth about that McKinsey productivity chart everyone uses in pitch decksWhy 8 out of 10 construction companies can't even define what a "project" isTime Magazine's controversial VC rankings that reward management fees over actual returnsVictor's insider perspective on which construction technologies actually deliver resultsThe Pablo Escobar business model lesson that might change how you think about valuationsKey quote: "Construction companies can't even define what a project is. Eight different customers cannot define internally what a project is. One customer had eight different definitions. This is your business - the project is the equivalent of the order in manufacturing." - PatricFrom Sequoia being mysteriously absent from "top VC" lists to why rats eating cash might be better than some investment strategies, this episode challenges everything you think you know about construction productivity, venture capital, and business models.------------Chapters00:00 Introduction and Awkward Beginnings03:08 Dubai's In-House Construction Trend11:01 The Best Owner Logic in M&A18:40 Market Dynamics and Developer Strategies21:19 Construction Productivity and Industry Comparisons30:45 Luxury and Value in Construction32:09 The Economics of Markup and Intangible Assets34:32 Current Trends in the UK Construction Market36:02 Introduction to Barton Mello and Its Operations38:36 Innovations in Construction Technology41:31 Data Strategies in Construction45:10 Defining Projects in Construction49:59 Standardization Challenges in Construction53:15 Engaging with Startups in Construction Technology54:35 Navigating AEC Tech Startups56:01 The Importance of Industry Expertise57:09 Defining Success in Venture Capital58:36 Exploring America's Top Venture Capital Firms59:53 Evaluating Venture Capital Performance01:01:42 Critiquing the Scoring Criteria of VC Firms01:04:49 The Role of Sequoia in Venture Capital01:08:25 Understanding the Power Law in VC Investments01:10:19 The Impact of Management Fees on VC Performance01:13:13 The Purpose Behind Controversial Lists01:15:33 Top Podcasts and Their Influence
.avif)
