BBBC 11/05 - Matrak's Bold Moves Into China's Construction Industry, InfraMarket's Dominance In India And The Future Of Construction In The East
In this conversation, Owen, Martin, and Shub discuss the Australian company Matrak, which focuses on supply chain management in the construction industry. They explore the implications of the company's recent expansion into China and the challenges of doing business in the Chinese market. They also compare Matrak to InfraMarket, a similar company in India, and discuss their different approaches and business models. The conversation concludes with a lighthearted discussion about favorite British cuisines.
Takeaways
Matrak is a company that provides real-time visibility and integration for supply chains in the construction industry.
The company recently expanded into China, despite the challenges and uncertainties of doing business in the Chinese market.
Matrak's pricing structure is based on a subscription model, with different tiers based on user needs.
InfraMarket, a similar company in India, focuses on the quality and reliability of the supply chain, but does not offer the same level of real-time visibility as Matrak.
Favorite British cuisines vary among the participants, with Indian food being a popular choice
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Unfortunate News
00:43 Discussion on Matrak and Supply Chain Management
08:55 Western Startups Expanding into China
09:36 Matrak and InfraMarket: Different Approaches
13:10 Matrak's Integrated Visibility System
20:21 Favorite British Cuisines
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Bricks & Bytes
Enscape's Journey From Idea To Exit - Moritz Luck, Co-Founder & CEO
Note: This is a Re-Release of an episode that was originally released on Bricks, Bucks & Bytes.
In this episode, we had Moritz, co-founder of Enscape, and we got to learn about his journey from a university project to a game-ZZZ 3D rendering software... and many more!
Tune in to find out about:
✅ How Enscape evolved from a VR treadmill idea to revolutionizing architectural visualization
✅ Why focusing on customer happiness trumps optimizing for investor metrics
✅ The power of community-driven marketing in the AEC industry
✅ The future of AI in rendering and its impact on existing tools
Listen now on Spotify to hear Moritz's insights on building a successful startup, navigating acquisitions, and the future of design technology.
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Bricks & Bytes
Built's Path to becoming a $1.5B Construction Tech Unicorn
Note : This episode is a re-release of an episode that was initially released at Groundbreakers."It turns out in construction and real estate, there's a lot of big problems. There's an abundance of them." - This candid observation from Built Technologies' CEO perfectly captures why construction tech is ripe for disruption.In our latest conversation with Chase Gilbert, he reveals Built's journey from working with three community banks to becoming a construction tech unicorn that processes over $200 billion in annual construction spend. He breaks down the strategic decision to start with lenders and how it became their path to industry-wide transformation.Tune in to discover:✅ Why "following the money" upstream was the key to market penetration✅ How they turned an 11-person process into a 2-person operation✅ The strategy behind reducing loan processing from 5 days to same-day✅ Why being "long-term greedy" is crucial for sustainable growthListen to the full episode on Spotify to hear Chase's complete breakdown of building a construction tech unicorn.-------------Chapters00:00 Intro02:28 Building a Unicorn in Construction Tech05:04 Identifying and Solving Industry Problems06:40 The Genesis of Built Technologies18:16 Revenue Generation and Business Model26:56 The Importance of Following the Money30:52 Efficiency Metrics and Impact on Lenders38:05 The Landscape of Construction Loans40:42 Navigating the Banking Ecosystem44:19 Go-to-Market Strategy for Financial Institutions49:23 Value-Based Pricing Models50:06 Key Lessons in Scaling a Startup53:28 Building and Maintaining Company Culture59:37 Understanding Unicorn Valuation01:11:01 The IPO Journey and Long-Term Vision
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Bricks & Bytes
From Carpenter at 12 to Stanford & Silicon Valley - How Sarah Built an AI to Process Construction Documents & Raised $20M in just 10 Days
"I had my first startup when I was five years old and I stole my parents' Polaroid camera and went to the local fair and sold people on Polaroids."
In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we had Dr. Sarah Buchner, founder of Trunk Tools, and we got to learn about her journey from carpenter to tech entrepreneur, the challenges of unstructured data in construction, and how AI is revolutionizing the industry.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ How Trunk Tools is building the "brain behind construction"
✅ The staggering amount of documentation in a typical construction project
✅ Why most construction tech fails to gain adoption
✅ How AI agents are automating bureaucratic tasks in construction
Listen now on Spotify to hear Dr. Buchner's insights on the future of construction technology and how Trunk Tools is empowering builders to focus on what they do best.
$1.5M AI Employee Bonuses, Procore Growth Slowdown? & LinkedIn Growth Hacks with Derek Wong
What happens when AI hype, billion-dollar bets, and the cold reality of hardware vs. software collide — plus, how to dominate LinkedIn without sounding like everyone else?In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes Owen, Martin, Patric, and Dustin are joined by LinkedIn strategist Derek Wong to unpack:Which AI giant will actually have the best model by the end of August — and why public betting markets might be getting it wrongThe surprising slowdown at Procore vs. Trimble’s surge — and what it says about the future of construction techWhy hardware “moats” can be a game-changer for tech companiesThe right and wrong ways to use AI in business (and why LLMs aren’t your calculator)Derek’s playbook for turning LinkedIn into the ultimate “box of donuts” for winning high-value customers"Hardware is an amazing bathtub — once you control the install base, your software gets stickier and your distribution gets easier." — Patric Hellermann-----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/----- Chapters00:00 Intro01:13 Earning Potential and Career Strategies05:26 AI Models and Company Performance10:07 Evaluating AI Tools and Their Limitations14:42 Practical Applications of AI in Business17:52 Understanding User Interaction with AI Tools19:58 Market Dynamics in Construction Technology22:54 Contrasting Business Models: Procore vs. Trimble24:45 Valuation Insights and Market Perception31:25 The Future of Procore: Leadership and Vision39:28 Building Relationships through Content on LinkedIn46:45 Mind Share and Brand Recognition48:27 The Importance of Target Audience50:26 Crafting a Compelling LinkedIn Profile52:03 The Dangers of Self-Labeling54:26 Clarifying Your Value Proposition55:29 Content Strategy for Engagement57:57 The Role of Content in Building Relationships59:43 Understanding Your Goals on LinkedIn01:01:58 The Future of AI and Construction01:08:00 The AI Race and Its Implications01:09:46 Innovations in Modular Housing
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
Turner's 44% Growth, Figma IPO Rogue Calculations, Meta's $150B Block & AI's 85% Fail Rate with Dex from Propel People
Construction companies are posting "impossible" growth numbers while tech giants can't spend their billions. What's really happening?In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Owen, Dustin, and Patric dive deep into the shocking stories reshaping the construction industry, plus a special guest appearance from construction tech veteran Dex who just raised $3 million to solve the industry's biggest crisis.What we cover:Turner Construction's mind-blowing 44% revenue growth (and why it's "impossible")The Figma IPO scandal that cost early investors millionsWhy Meta can't spend $150 billion even though they want toConstruction's $20 billion labor shortage crisisWhy 85% of AI projects fail (and the patterns that actually work)Energy bottlenecks blocking massive infrastructure spendingDex's new startup Propel People tackling the skilled worker shortageKey Quote: "This is highway robbery for the existing investors... they just lost a ton of value." - Patric on the Figma IPO controversyFrom billion-dollar construction wins to IPO disasters, energy grid meltdowns to recruiting revolutions - this episode reveals the hidden forces driving massive changes across the industry. Whether you're in AEC, tech, or just curious about where the economy is heading, these insights will change how you see the business world.-------Chapters00:00 Intro01:00 Origins of 'Okay' and Its Cultural Significance03:40 Turner's Impressive Growth in Construction06:21 Diversification and Strategic Partnerships in Construction09:23 Turner's Expansion into European Markets12:14 Figma's IPO and Market Dynamics15:01 Valuation Challenges and Investor Sentiment18:16 Banking Practices and IPO Pricing Strategies25:21 The State of AI in Enterprises29:16 Challenges of Pilot Programs30:53 Historical Insights on Project Failures35:00 Ensuring Technology Adoption41:43 Energy Infrastructure Bottlenecks47:36 Introduction to Propel People52:13 Building a Recruiting Platform for Construction56:24 Sourcing Talent in the Construction Industry58:18 Evolution of Technology in Construction60:11 The Role of Social Media in Recruitment63:04 Founder-Led Sales and Market Insights67:05 Setting Foundations for Success in Startups
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
$555K Salary for Construction Engineers, Trunk Tools $40M Round, Stone Carving Robots with Monumental Labs
OpenAI is paying construction engineers $555K – but there's a catch that nobody's talking about.In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Owen, Martin, and Dustin expose the shocking reality behind AI salaries in construction, debunk viral industry charts, and reveal why your favorite building materials might be making a comeback.What we cover:Why OpenAI is paying engineers 5x more than top architecture firmsThe truth behind "construction AI growth" charts flooding social mediaHow AI coding tools are changing the startup game (and why most companies are doing it wrong)Trunk Tools' massive $40M funding round – and what it means for the industryInside Dexto's $15M bet on prefabrication technologyWhy stone buildings could dominate the future (thanks to robots)The real strategy behind why successful startups raise more money than they needKey quote: "I've never met a civil engineer or an architect making that much money. Ever." – Dustin DeVan on OpenAI's salary offeringsFrom fake data manipulation to robotic stone carving, this episode pulls back the curtain on where construction tech is really headed. Whether you're an investor, founder, or just trying to understand why your industry is changing so fast – this one's a must-listen.--------Sponsors:BuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.io4M Analytics - Instant, reliable utility data you can trust and verify - https://www.4manalytics.com/------------Chapters00:00 Intro01:25 Introduction and Welcome Back02:43 Exploring AI in Engineering Jobs04:55 Salary Insights for Engineers at OpenAI08:60 The Future of Engineering Roles and Compensation11:46 Equity and Compensation in Tech Companies17:32 Navigating AI Technologies in Business21:53 Funding and Growth in the AI Sector22:30 The Evolution of AI in Construction Tech25:37 The Importance of Founder Branding in Tech31:10 Analyzing AI Adoption Across Industries36:41 Dextal: Revolutionizing Prefabrication Technology51:55 Introduction to Robotic Stone Carving52:32 Innovative Building Techniques with Stone54:04 The Role of AI in Stone Carving55:53 Future of Stone Construction57:22 Business Model and Customization59:29 Reviving the Craft of Stone Carving61:11 Challenges in Stone Architecture64:32 Sustainability of Stone as a Building Material65:50 Personalization in Sculpture67:18 Market Demand for Stone Products70:51 The Future of Robotics in Construction
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
$5B Heat Crisis, 89% Productivity Drop, Startup Reality Check, SuperSede Plastic Innovation, $10M Raise Success with Sean Petterson
Is your construction project secretly losing $5 billion a year? This industry insider just exposed the shocking truth about why 89% of construction firms are failing.In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Owen, Martin, and Patric dive deep into the hidden forces reshaping the AEC industry, plus exclusive interviews with game-changing founders who are disrupting everything.What we cover:The $5 billion heat crisis destroying construction schedules (and why Martin thinks it's just an excuse)Why 70% of construction tech startups are failing at Series A funding roundsSean Petterson from SuperSede reveals how recycled plastic is replacing plywood foreverThe brutal truth about why all construction software has terrible UX designMo Akbari's controversial take on how AI could kill DocuSign overnightPatrick's explosive Coca-Cola business model that could transform constructionWhy Europe's buildings are designed to overheat (and what that means for your projects)Key Quote: "If you build shit companies and you raise your seed round on a shit promise and you can't deliver on that shit promise, well, at series A and B, it's easier to be found out." - Patric HellermannFrom climate disasters to funding secrets to revolutionary materials, this episode pulls back the curtain on what's really happening in construction tech. Warning: You might never look at your projects the same way again.----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/-------Chapters00:00 Intro01:07 Introduction and Technical Glitches04:14 Cultural Insights from Corfu07:07 Heat and Productivity in Construction10:05 Debating Heat Management Solutions13:09 Innovations in Construction for Heat Management16:12 Building Regulations and Overheating Concerns19:08 The Role of Insulation and Building Design22:06 Funding Analysis and Market Trends36:22 Funding Trends in Construction Tech41:08 Challenges in Achieving Series A and B Funding44:36 Introduction to Super Seed and Its Innovations51:58 Super Seed's Unique Product Offerings57:31 Scaling and Capacity Building in Manufacturing01:02:34 Brand Strategy and Market Positioning01:04:54 Navigating Industry Standards and Specifications01:13:46 Choosing the Right Communication Tools01:14:42 The Importance of User Experience in Construction Tech01:16:56 Evaluating Product Design and Usability01:19:38 Metrics for Assessing User Experience01:25:19 The Role of AI in Product Development01:29:24 The Future of Document Signing Solutions01:32:55 The Impact of Pricing on Market Competition01:35:24 Mo's Upcoming Project Reveal
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