#018 - Harsh Badera - Product management in construction tech
What happens when a construction engineer goes into construction tech?
Today we welcome Harsh Badera of Procore.
In this episode we deep dive into:
Harsh’s story starting from construction engineer up to his current position in Procore
ToDo's and not to-do's in the product management
If we are going to see more B2C products in construction
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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Harsh Badera - Product Management at Procore | Startup Investor | Advisor | Speaker
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Today's Sponsor:
@Beta Construction and technology network platform - connecting the tech industry with traditional partners.
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00:00:00 --> 00:02:03 Intro + Sponsor
00:02:04 --> 00:05:52 History of Harsh’s journey from project manager to product manager
00:05:53 --> 00:07:54 Switching from project manager to product manager
00:08:24 --> 00:09:58 How do you see using software in construction?
00:09:59 --> 00:12:47 What is product management?
00:12:48 --> 00:14:47 Do you see a future where construction offers more services directly to the consumer rather than B2B?
00:14:48 --> 00:16:30 Given the amount of solutions, do you think that there is a singular source where they can all integrate?
00:16:31 --> 00:17:27 Agave Startup
00:17:28 --> 00:19:04 Is creating a product in construction different than in other industries?
00:19:05 --> 00:24:15 Do you have a product management process that you follow?
00:24:16 --> 00:27:29 Introduction of Procore
00:27:30 --> 00:29:01 Construction network
00:29:59 --> 00:31:43 Trust verification for the future of contracts
00:31:45 --> 00:36:38 Harsh’s thoughts about Katerra
00:40:20 --> 00:41:40 More about Harsh
00:41:42 --> 00:42:02 Outro
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Bricks & Bytes
#037 - Brendan Ardagh - The AI revolution in construction
In this episode, we sit down with Brendan, Co-Founder of Provision, who made the jump from a traditional QS role to a technology role. He shares with us his interesting journey and how he fell in love with construction.
During the episode we dive into:
Brendan's experience with the startup world
His Journey through Y Combinator
World of AI
Machine learning
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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Brendan Ardagh Co-Founder of Provision
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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 --> 00:01:22 - Intro
00:01:22 --> 00:02:04 - Sponsor
00:02:04 --> 00:04:35 - Brendan's journey from Quantity Surveyor to entrepreneur
00:04:35 --> 00:05:55 - Differences between the startup and technology scene in South Africa and Canada/US
00:05:55 --> 00:07:25 - Brendan's involvement with Y Combinator and how he got in
00:07:25 --> 00:13:29 - Innovation in construction industry and the difficulty in changing it
00:13:29 --> 00:16:13 - Discussing Y Combinator and the value it provides to startups
00:16:13 --> 00:18:16 - The dinosaur-like view of the construction industry and the potential advantage of being associated with Y Combinator
00:18:16 --> 00:30:31 - Introducing Provision and discussing AI & Chat GPT
00:30:11 --> 00:35:30 - Getting involved in using AI and where to start learning about it
00:35:30 --> 00:39:56 - Chat GPT and how it will impact construction industry in the future
00:39:56 --> 00:41:47 - The importance of utilising GPT effectively and jumping on opportunities presented by it
00:41:47 --> 00:42:55 - How open is OpenAI
00:42:55 --> 00:46:03 - Brendan’s routine
00:46:03 --> 00:46:53 - More about Brendan
00:46:53 --> 00:47:10 - Outro
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Bricks & Bytes
#027 - Jefferson Sanchez - Accelerating revenue for house remodellers
On today's show we have Jefferson Sanchez - Co-Founder & COO of Revonate.
In this episode we deep dive into:
Revenue acceleration for house remodellers
Web3
AI
Platform revolution in construction.
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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Jefferson Sanchez - Co-Founder & COO of Revonate.
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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:
(00:00:00-00:01:12) - Intro
(00:01:12-00:01:54) - Sponsor
(00:01:54-00:03:21) - Jefferson’s journey to creating Revonate
(00:03:21-00:05:20) - Being a migrant and starting business
(00:05:20-00:09:13) - Key lessons learned from the failure of previous company
(00:09:13-00:10:29) - Introducing Revonate
(00:10:29-00:14:33) - AI powered construction contract
(00:14:33-00:17:13) - AI’s impact on construction in the future
(00:17:13-00:19:00) - Building trust layer in AI/ML technologies
(00:19:00-00:20:01) - Explaining Archidao
(00:20:01-00:24:04) - Use of blockchain in technology
(00:24:04-00:25:05) - Founding Revonate
(00:25:05-00:26:46) - Taking outside investments
(00:26:46-00:28:58) - Current economic situation and its impact on the future of construction tech world
(00:28:58-00:29:35) - Is Revonate designed only for the US market?
(00:29:33-00:31:16) - Jefferson’s marketing tactics
(00:31:16-00:34:46) - Work-life balance
(00:34:46-00:35:51) - Book recommendation
(00:35:51-00:36:20) - More about Jefferson
(00:36:20-00:36:38) - Outro
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Bricks & Bytes
How To Build A Unicorn In Construction Tech - Patric Hellermann
In today’s episode, we have Patric Hellermann, General Partner at the largest global early stage investor in construction technology - Foundamental.
Patric explains the 30bn opportunity in construction tech, the past and future models of unicorns, and how VC in the world of construction operates.
Tune in to find out about:
How VC funding in construction tech is defying the recession-hit VC ecosystem, showcasing opportunity and resilience unlike other sectors
The existing and future models of unicorn construction tech startups
What shapes the VC world in construction; from exceptional investors through to founder-fit, and what happens when a company begins to fail
Patric’s favorite investors and his way of staying creative while managing a career in VC
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Patric Hellermann | General Partner at Foundamental
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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
Timestamps:
(00:00:00-00:03:18) Intro
(00:03:18-00:06:32) How to Create a Venture Capital Company
(00:06:32-00:40:22) Funding Statistics in Construction
(00:40:22-01:07:57) Unicorns in Construction Tech
(01:07:57-01:11:17) Difference Between Private Equity and Early Stage VC
(01:11:17-01:15:59) How the Due Diligence Process Looks Like
(01:15:59-01:22:39) Differences in VCs in Construction and Other Industries
(01:22:39-01:42:07) Audience's Questions
(01:42:07-01:42:52) Outro
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 $80 million to automate heavy machinery). This episode reveals why construction might be the key to unlocking robotics everywhere else.
🎧 Listen to the Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3P7JkiN9X3N4Kh6jlDsOgi?si=91JP5nxvQbKStkp8AQdAOg 📩 Subscribe to the Bricks & Bytes Newsletter: https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/🌐 Visit our website: http://bricks-bytes.com/
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Sponsors:BuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.io4M Analytics - Instant, reliable utility data you can trust and verify - https://www.4manalytics.com/
Enjoying the insights? Hit that Subscribe button to stay ahead in construction tech, AI, and the future of how we build.
Chapters00:00 Intro01:06 Introduction to Robotics in Construction03:53 Current Trends and Sentiments in Robotics06:45 Barriers to Adoption in Robotics09:40 Autonomy vs. Collaboration in Robotics12:40 Field AI and Its Impact on Construction15:29 Dusty Robotics: Revolutionizing Job Sites18:18 The Future of Construction with Robotics21:04 Challenges in Construction Tech23:53 The Importance of User Experience in Robotics26:55 Lessons Learned from Robotics Development29:36 The Role of Accuracy in Robotics32:50 Proprietary Hardware vs. Off-the-Shelf Solutions39:43 Prototyping and Time to Market42:40 Manufacturing Challenges in Robotics44:46 Adoption of Robotics in Construction46:23 Pricing Strategies for Hardware47:41 Building a Thriving SaaS Business49:20 Transitioning from Self-Driving Cars to Construction53:30 Unique Product Offerings in Construction Robotics56:29 Collaboration Between Humans and Machines59:24 Adapting to Change in Construction01:11:09 The Future of Robotics in Construction
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Bricks, Buck$ 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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