"I Liquidated My Entire Savings to Make Payroll" - Startup Survival Stories - Thiago & Clifton
"I checked the cash balance and the number came out negative. I had to call my wife and say we might need to liquidate our entire 401k to make payroll."In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Thiago Da Costa from DataGrid and Clifton Harness from TestFit and we got to learn about the raw truth of building construction tech startups - from pivoting at $1M ARR to nearly missing payroll.These founders didn't hold back. They shared the moments that almost broke them and the decisions that saved their companies.Tune in to find out about:✅ Why Thiago pivoted his entire company after raising a Series A (and how he told his board)✅ The morning Clifton woke up and realized he couldn't make payroll✅ Why most construction tech companies plateau at $3-5M ARR and never break through✅ How to know when you've actually found product-market fit versus when you're chasing a ghostWatch now to hear the full conversation about what it really takes to build in construction tech.Our SponsorAphex 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 Introduction to Startup Journeys 05:47 Navigating the Pre-Seed Stage 12:47 The Importance of Pre-Sales and Pivoting 17:39 Understanding Product Market Fit 23:22 Defining Product Market Fit in Construction Tech 31:14 Facing Startup Challenges and Scary Moments 33:25 Navigating Financial Challenges 37:07 The Importance of Family in Business 39:00 Facing Fear of Failure and Pivots 40:32 Balancing Hype and Substance in Business 48:47 Endurance in Entrepreneurship 54:53 Optimizing for People in Startups
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Bricks & Bytes
Why 72% of Leaders Are In Trouble | Global eTraining
"It's compounding and becoming more of a crisis."That's how Susan Brattberg described the digital skills gap facing our industry right now.And honestly? She's not wrong.In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we sat down with Susan Brattberg, co-founder and Chief Customer Officer at Global eTraining, and what started as a conversation about an epic rooftop party at Autodesk University (300 people, live band, line dancing - yeah, these guys know how to do marketing) turned into a deep dive on something way more important.We talked about why training isn't just a nice-to-have anymore... and many more!Tune in to find out about:✅ Why the digital skills gap is now the #1 priority for CIOs across ALL industries globally✅ How technology is changing faster than ever - and why the old "train every couple years" approach is dead✅ The real ROI companies are seeing when their teams actually know how to use their tools (hint: projects run way smoother)✅ How AI is flipping the edu-tech space upside down - and why most companies have already dropped out of this nicheSusan's been doing this for 17 years (her company's campus history goes back even longer), and she's seen the evolution firsthand. From physical campuses to on-demand training to AI-powered rapid content development.If you're wondering why your projects feel chaotic or why new software rollouts never stick... this episode might have some answers.Watch the full episode out on Spotify and Youtube. 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 Intro03:55 Introduction to the Journey 06:57 The Impact of Digital Skills Gap 09:50 Transitioning to Online Training 13:01 The Evolution of Training Methods 15:49 The Shift from Physical to Digital 18:50 Understanding Training Needs 21:44 Overcoming Initial Challenges 24:46 Current Trends in Training 27:45 The Role of AI in Training 30:45 Growth and Future Directions 35:00 Shifts in Business Post-COVID 37:45 Managing Growth and Team Dynamics 41:52 Sales Strategies and Customer Engagement 44:45 The Power of Branding and Events 52:32 Balancing Family and Business 54:22 The Competitive Landscape of E-Learning 56:31 Future Trends in E-Learning and AI
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Bricks & Bytes
From Signed Papers to Product Launch in 30 Days - How 21 Employees Startup Closed an M&A Deal With Zero Advisors
"Integration with Procore? Everyone warned us they'd copy our product. We did it anyway - and it became our best go-to-market decision."In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Or Lakritz, founder of StructShare (now Trimble Materials), and we got to learn about how a 21-person startup navigated acquisition conversations with multiple players, the critical importance of transparency during M&A, why integrating with Procore in 2021 was one of their best decisions... and many more!Tune in to find out about:✅ Why Trimble chose to buy instead of build - and how StructShare filled a strategic procurement gap✅ The real differences between being acquired by a platform giant vs. private equity (spoiler: it's all about narrative)✅ How Or managed team culture and morale through the acquisition process with full transparency✅ Why distribution matters more than product in construction tech - and what AI might change about thatThis one's packed with honest insights from someone who actually lived through it. Worth the listen.Our Sponsor: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.ioChapters0:00 Intro4:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guests 4:59 The Acquisition Story of Structure 9:17 Navigating the Acquisition Process 16:18 Cultural Integration Post-Acquisition 18:15 Lessons Learned from Building Structure 31:46 The Evolution of the Procurement Space 33:04 The Evolution of Construction Tech 35:58 AI's Impact on Procurement Processes 39:20 Building the Future of Procurement 42:24 Navigating Go-to-Market Strategies 44:36 Acquisition Insights and Market Dynamics 57:35 Integrating with Industry Giants 1:01:02 Personal Growth and Impact in Business
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Bricks & Bytes
B&B Fight Night: Has AI Solved Estimating? Mike Powers Vs Luigi La Corte
The UFC arrives in AEC. And we’re live from the AEC Octagon.In the very first episode of our brand-new Bricks & Bytes Debates series, we are trading PR statements for sparring gloves. We’re putting two industry heavyweights head-to-head to battle out one of the hottest topics in construction: Has AI actually solved estimating?In this no-holds-barred contester series, our contenders took the gloves off to represent the extreme Bull and Bear cases for Artificial Intelligence:• In the Red Corner: Mike "Mighty" Powers (Co-Founder, BuildVision), arguing that LLMs have solved the extraction problem and the industry needs to embrace the "Waymo" era of automation.• In the Blue Corner: Luigi "The Stinger" La Corte (Co-Founder, Provision), arguing that estimating is more than just counting symbols - and that without 100% accuracy, AI is still just a student driver.Moderated by the referee of reason, Patric "Praying For Exits" Hellermann, this debate moves through three grueling rounds: - Round 1: The Tech. Can LLMs actually count and measure complex drawings, or are they just guessing? - Round 2: The Accuracy Gap. Is 80% accuracy "good enough" to change the industry, or is "trust but verify" just a nice way of saying "do it yourself"? - Round 3: The Liability. In a world of design-bid-build, who takes the fall when the AI misses a scope gap? Tune in to uncover:• The "Waymo" Strategy: Why waiting for perfect AI is a mistake, and how to leverage the "self-driving" mindset to reduce takeoff times by 90% today.• The Hidden Liability Loophole: Why architects and engineers could solve the estimating crisis instantly by sharing models—and the legal reason they never will.• Symbols vs. Language: Learn the fundamental technical limitation preventing LLMs from reading 2D drawings like a human, and when we can expect "Visual Language Models" to catch up.• The Subcontractor’s Dilemma: Why "Design Intent" matters more than counting linear feet, and why subs might actually be wasting time on granular takeoffs.• A "Bribe" for Better Data: One listener’s hilarious (but practical) suggestion for how to finally get the Revit model from the design team.Who will deliver the knockout punch? Tune in to decide for yourself.Chapters 00:00 Intro01:48 Introduction to Bricks and Bytes Debates 04:07 Opening Statements and Context Setting 06:51 Technical Feasibility of AI in Estimating 09:57 Practical Applications and Limitations of AI 12:59 Customer Expectations and Accuracy in AI Solutions 15:57 The Role of Human Oversight in AI Estimation 18:43 Future of AI in Construction Estimation 38:23 Navigating the Self-Driving Debate 41:19 The Evolution of AI in Estimating 43:32 Trust and Liability in Construction 46:13 The Role of Liability in AI Adoption 49:22 The Future of Estimators in AI 53:34 Rebuttals and Admissions: A Critical Discussion 59:39 The Current State of AI in Estimating
Oracle $100B Hour, AI Government Fail, OpenSpace CEO, Barefoot Office Debate
Oracle's CEO Just Made $100 Billion in One Hour While Your Government Wastes Millions on AI That Doesn't WorkIn this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Owen, Dustin, and Martin dive deep into the wild world of tech promises, government failures, and what's really happening behind the scenes in construction technology.Key Topics:Oracle's shocking $300 billion OpenAI deal and Larry Ellison's instant $100 billion windfallWhy the UK government's Microsoft Copilot trial was a complete disasterThe brutal truth about why companies keep buying expensive software that doesn't workOpenSpace CEO Jeevan Kalanithi reveals how reality capture is evolving beyond just taking picturesWhether going barefoot in the office makes you a genius or just weirdWhy pre-construction technology is decades behind field management toolsThe real reason AI won't save construction anytime soonSpecial guest Jeevan Kalanithi from OpenSpace joins to discuss their major Waypoint conference announcements and shares his thoughts on the AI race in construction.Key Quote: "No one's ever going to get fired because they bought Microsoft or Oracle. That's why Microsoft Teams is everywhere, even though it's trash." - DustinFrom billion-dollar stock moves to taxpayer waste to the future of building, this episode exposes the gap between tech hype and construction reality.
Chapters00:00 Intro01:45 Introduction and Travel Updates04:37 Oracle's Rise and AI Partnerships07:32 Oracle's Financial Forecast and Market Impact10:26 Productivity Trials and Microsoft 365 Co-Pilot13:05 Government Trials and AI in Planning15:52 Debate on Office Attire and Footwear27:44 The Importance of Company Culture30:13 Fashion and Professionalism in the Workplace34:46 Funding Announcements and Market Dynamics41:20 Reality Capture and Its Future in Construction55:20 Trends in RealityCapture59:11 The Importance of Data Consolidation01:02:11 Safety and Progress Tracking in Construction01:07:02 Navigating Competition in the Market01:09:58 The Role of AI in RealityCapture01:13:50 Future Directions and Company Vision
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
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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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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