#040 - Ken Semler - Building Better, Faster, and Smarter: The Power of Modular Construction
Discover the exciting world of modular construction with Ken Semler, CEO of Impresa Modular. Ken highlights the benefits of factory finishing, time savings, cost advantages, and the versatility of modular construction. This Episode sheds light on the potential for modular construction to revolutionize the industry and provides valuable insights for entrepreneurs and construction professionals alike.
In this episode, we delve into:
Ken Semler's journey from finance to modular construction expert
The current & future state of modular
Training labour to execute modular construction processes
Benefits of franchising
Adoption of innovation in construction
The importance of persistence
If you're finding value in our podcast, we kindly request you to share your feedback by leaving a review. Your support enables us to attract incredible guests and deliver the finest and most enlightening content on technology in the built world.
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Ken Semler President & CEO Impresa Modular
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Today's Sponsor: beta - Construction and technology network platform
- connecting the tech industry with traditional partners.
Check www.the-beta.com
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Timestamps:
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Bricks & Bytes
#021 - April Moss & Lynne Cooper - Blockchain, Leadership and Female Success In Construction Tech
How do you enjoy a fulfilling career in construction and the tech world?
Join us today in our discussion with Apil and Lynne of Digibuild.
In this episode we deep dive into:
Blockchain uses in Construction and Digibuild's software
Attracting gen z talent to blue collar jobs
Diversity and female success in construction
Maintaining balance in life
Lynne's top 3 pieces of advice for young people
If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review! This helps us get more amazing guests to give you guys the best and most informative content on technology in the built world.
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April Moss - COO | Chief Customer Officer at DigiBuild: Y Combinator Backed (YC S21) l Blockchain Technology l Construction Management l Crypto & Bitcoin Investor l Business Development
Lynne Cooper - Management & Construction | cGMP * R&D * CGT | Founder | Strategy | Innovator | Woman Welder👩🏭 | Power in the trades! | Technology for Efficiency | Collaboration is 🔑 | Blue Collar Revolution! | Improve Quality
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Today's Sponsor: Beta Construction and technology network platform - connecting the tech industry with traditional partners.
Chek www.the-beta.com
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Timestamps:
(00:00:00-00:01:27) - Intro and Sponsor
(00:01:27-00:01:58) - Introduction of guest
(00:01:58-00:03:20) - April's background
(00:03:20-00:04:16) - Lynne's background
(00:04:16-00:04:58) - Digibuild history
(00:04:58-00:07:07) - What does digibuild do?
(00:07:07-00:08:27) - Meet the Drapers
(00:08:27-00:09:23) - Digibuild and Blockchain
(00:09:23-00:09:53) - Digibuild expanding globally?
(00:09:53-00:11:04) - Are US-based companies expanding to UK?
(00:11:04-00:13:29) - Do we have cutting-edge construction technology?
(00:13:29-00:14:36) - Procore
(00:14:36-00:16:48) - Lynne's relationship with Digibuild, April, and EL sea
(00:16:48-00:19:25) - Worldchain
(00:19:25-00:24:45) - Tips for attracting gen z to construction
(00:24:45-00:27:16) - Is the general trend of construction interesting for young people?
(00:27:16-00:30:31) - Diversity in Construction
(00:30:31-00:32:24) - Experience from other industries that can be applied in construction
(00:32:24-00:33:06) - Advice about switching industry to construction
(00:33:06-00:36:09) - Charity (construction rocks dmv)
(00:36:09-00:37:19) - Mental health in construction
(00:37:19-00:42:54) - ESG sustainability
(00:42:54-00:45:34) - Advice for someone who is about to launch a construction tech startup
(00:45:34-00:47:34) - Cancel Culture
(00:47:34-00:51:14) - Books
(00:51:14-00:54:00) - How to maintain balance in life?
(00:54:00-00:57:28) - What do you want to do in construction or technology if you want unlimited resources
(00:57:28-00:58:16) - 3 pieces of advice for young people
(00:58:16-00:58:34) Outro
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Bricks & Bytes
#029 - Josh Graham - Weather risk management in construction
Our today's guest is Josh Graham - CEO of tech company EHAB, which uses advanced weather modelling and impact analysis to help construction companies de-risk critical infrastructure projects.
In this episode we talk about:
- Josh's journey of setting up EHAB
- key lessons learnt when creating his startup
- real use cases of blockchain and smart contracts in construction industry.
If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review! This helps us get more amazing guests to give you guys the best and most informative content on technology in the built world.
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Josh Graham | CEO of EHAB and CVC (Climate Venture Collective)
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Today's Sponsor: beta - Construction and technology network platform
- connecting the tech industry with traditional partners.
Chek: https://www.the-beta.com
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Timestamps:
00:00:00 --> 00:01:13 - Intro
00:01:13 --> 00:01:57 - Sponsor
00:01:57 --> 00:03:29 - Josh’s history of creating EHAB
00:03:29 --> 00:05:08 - Problems in creating sustainable property development company
00:05:08 --> 00:07:13 - Opportunities in sustainable property development
00:07:13 --> 00:07:38 - Does EHAB stand for something?
00:07:38 --> 00:10:10 - Process of identifying weather as a problem to tackle
00:10:10 --> 00:16:00 - Changes that EHAB makes in weather forecasting
00:16:00 --> 00:17:01 - Accuracy of forecast data
00:17:01 --> 00:20:05 - Key lessons learned in Josh’s journey
00:20:05 --> 00:22:06 - Future plans for EHAB
00:22:06 --> 00:23:02 - Project types that can benefit from EHAB
00:23:02 --> 00:24:44 - More about Climate Venture Collective
00:24:44 --> 00:30:01- Blockchain technology and its impact on construction industry
00:30:01 --> 00:33:54 - Smart contracts agreements
00:33:54 --> 00:35:04 - Josh’s regular day
00:35:04 --> 00:35:35 - What would you do with unlimited budget?
00:35:35 --> 00:36:18 - Book recommendation
00:36:18 --> 00:36:58 - More about Josh
00:36:58 --> 00:37:20 - Outro
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Bricks & Bytes
#019 - Paul Heming - Non Technical Founder CEO Insights In Construction Tech
From QS to the co-founder of a tech platform C-Link and host of the Own The Build podcast....
Today we welcome the legend, Paul Heming.
In this episode we deep dive into:
Paul's story and his early days of the journey
To-do's and not to-do's in the construction as a non-technical founder
About C-Link
The threats AND opportunities of technology on roles like QS', Architects/Engineers
If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review! This helps us get more amazing guests to give you guys the best and most informative content on technology in the built world.
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Paul Heming
Co-Founder at C-Link (Procurement Software for Construction SMEs) and Host of the Own the Build Podcast.
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Today's Sponsor:
@Beta Construction and technology network platform - connecting the tech industry with traditional partners.
Chek www.the-beta.com
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Timestamps:
00:00:00 --> 00:01:32 - Intro
00:01:32 --> 00:02:32 - Sponsor
00:02:32 --> 00:03:33 - History of Paul Heming
00:03:33 --> 00:04:28 - Early days of the journey
00:04:28 --> 00:05:02 - Working a job during the beginning of the startup
00:05:02 --> 00:07:34 - The future of the QS role
00:07:34 --> 00:09:25 - Did Paul always wanted to be a QS?
00:09:25 --> 00:12:55 - What is C-Link?
00:12:55 --> 00:13:58 - Is C-link going to branch to SME's ?
00:13:58 --> 00:15:30 - What's the implementation srategy of C-Link?
00:15:30 --> 00:16:20 - At the beginning did C-Link bootstrap?
00:16:20 --> 00:17:42 - Should you bootstrap a business?
00:17:42 --> 00:19:51 - Marketing
00:19:51 --> 00:22:24 - Do and don't as non-technical founder of a construction company
00:22:24 --> 00:24:30 - Mistakes during hiring the technical team
00:24:30 --> 00:25:02 - When do you need a full-time CTO?
00:25:02 --> 00:26:33 - Future of C-Link
00:25:02 --> 00:29:05 - The purpose of the podcast (Own The Build Podcast)
00:29:05 --> 00:30:11 - Best episodes podcast (Own The Build Podcast)
00:30:11 --> 00:34:54 - The extinction of roles in construction
00:34:54 --> 00:36:13 - Team building
00:34:54 --> 00:37:25 - What is Paul's productivity hack?
00:37:25 --> 00:38:47 - What are you currently reading?
00:38:47 --> 00:39:24 - More about Paul
00:39:24 --> 00:39:42 - Outro
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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 $400K job posting for a content strategist"Those are amazing companies, but both those pieces of software need to be shot behind the tool shed. Like they are so old." - Dustin DeVan on legacy construction softwareFrom billion-dollar acquisitions to startup war stories, this episode reveals what's really happening behind the scenes in construction tech - including how one founder got exposed by a LinkedIn web scraper and why some think Microsoft is charging contractors way too much for basic AI tools.
Our Sponsor: Archdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.comBuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.io4M Analytics - Instant, reliable utility data you can trust and verify - https://www.4manalytics.com/
Chapters00:00 Intro01:26 Introduction and Martin's Travels03:11 Microsoft's Investment in AI for Construction15:48 Acquisition of Firmus AI by Bluebeam23:50 Autodesk's Latest Earnings Report29:22 Earnings Insights and Market Reactions32:20 Autodesk's Strategic Shifts and Growth Potential34:24 Figma's Earnings and Market Positioning37:11 Figma's AI Initiatives and Future Directions51:05 OneCrew's Innovative Approach to Paving Software01:01:00 AI in Construction: The Future of Scheduling and Management01:04:37 Navigating the Challenges of Selling to Government Agencies01:05:42 Britton Langdon's Journey: From Stealth to Startup01:07:40 The Prefabrication Marketplace: Bridging Supply and Demand01:14:22 Quality Control in Prefabrication: Ensuring Standards01:20:12 Defining Prefab: Strategies for Cost and Efficiency
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Bricks, Buck$ 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 $80 million to automate heavy machinery). This episode reveals why construction might be the key to unlocking robotics everywhere else.
🎧 Listen to the Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3P7JkiN9X3N4Kh6jlDsOgi?si=91JP5nxvQbKStkp8AQdAOg 📩 Subscribe to the Bricks & Bytes Newsletter: https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/🌐 Visit our website: http://bricks-bytes.com/
📲 Follow us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/ Twitter: https://x.com/bricksbytespod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/
Sponsors:BuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.io4M Analytics - Instant, reliable utility data you can trust and verify - https://www.4manalytics.com/
Enjoying the insights? Hit that Subscribe button to stay ahead in construction tech, AI, and the future of how we build.
Chapters00:00 Intro01:06 Introduction to Robotics in Construction03:53 Current Trends and Sentiments in Robotics06:45 Barriers to Adoption in Robotics09:40 Autonomy vs. Collaboration in Robotics12:40 Field AI and Its Impact on Construction15:29 Dusty Robotics: Revolutionizing Job Sites18:18 The Future of Construction with Robotics21:04 Challenges in Construction Tech23:53 The Importance of User Experience in Robotics26:55 Lessons Learned from Robotics Development29:36 The Role of Accuracy in Robotics32:50 Proprietary Hardware vs. Off-the-Shelf Solutions39:43 Prototyping and Time to Market42:40 Manufacturing Challenges in Robotics44:46 Adoption of Robotics in Construction46:23 Pricing Strategies for Hardware47:41 Building a Thriving SaaS Business49:20 Transitioning from Self-Driving Cars to Construction53:30 Unique Product Offerings in Construction Robotics56:29 Collaboration Between Humans and Machines59:24 Adapting to Change in Construction01:11:09 The Future of Robotics in Construction
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Bricks, Buck$ 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
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