Why Latin America Needs Its Own Construction Tech Solutions - Bernardo Gamboa, Partner at Global Projects Strategy
Is Latin America the next frontier for construction tech?
In this episode, we had Bernardo Gamboa, Partner at Global Projects Strategy, who shared fascinating insights into the construction tech landscape in Latin America.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ The unique challenges and opportunities in the Latin American construction market
✅ How financial solutions are driving tech adoption in the region
✅ Why US companies struggle to expand into Latin America
✅ The exciting potential for AI and data-driven solutions in construction
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00:00 - Intro
00:41 - Background of Bernardo
3:45 - About BuildTech
06:47 - First Mover Advanatages That Bernardo Had In Latin America
11:30 - Examples Of Big Companies In Latin Amrerica
14:04 - Construction Tech Scenarios In Latin America
15:40 - Labor Shortage In Latin America
22:37 - Key Areas Of Investments For Bernardo
30:26 - Understanding Construction In Latin America
35:00 - Challenges In Integrating New Technologies In Construction In Latin America
39:00 - Things That Bernardo Looks Before Investing
48:50 - Future Of VC Culture In Latin America
59:20 - What Excites Bernardo About The Future Of Construction In Latin America
01:04:18 - Outro
"We've done over 160 acquisitions since 2002. Some small, some billion-dollar companies." - Alex Brihac, VP of Strategy at HexagonIn today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we had Alex Brihac from Hexagon, a $6 billion company that most in construction tech haven't heard of! We learned about their acquisition strategy, how they evaluate companies, and their vision for construction tech's future.Tune in to find out about:✅ How Hexagon decides between building vs buying technology (they spend $800-900M annually on R&D!)✅ Their four-pillar framework for evaluating acquisition targets✅ Why they sometimes acquire service businesses, not just technology companies✅ How founders should approach acquisition conversations with strategic buyersListen now on Spotify to hear insights from a company that's been quietly reshaping the construction tech landscape through strategic acquisitions for decades.--------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/bricksbytespodYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmNbunUTIIQDzbJgGJt9_ZgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/
Chapters00:00 Intro04:17 Introduction to Hexagon and Its Significance07:11 Understanding Hexagon's Technology and Services10:20 Research and Development Strategy13:21 Future Trends and Strategic Focus16:20 Mergers and Acquisitions Strategy22:10 Evaluating Potential Acquisitions28:25 Acquisition of Traditional Businesses and Services39:17 Shifting Payment Models in Technology40:03 Strategic Acquisitions and Market Dynamics43:08 Evaluating Potential Acquisitions44:05 Mergers and Acquisitions Strategy47:17 Current Trends in M&A Market50:23 Competitive Landscape in Acquisitions55:17 Advice for Founders on Negotiating Acquisitions59:15 Day-to-Day Responsibilities and Strategic Focus01:03:16 Creating Successful Strategies and Execution
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Bricks & Bytes
BBBC 27/04/24 - Incoming IPO, $3.5bn Raised, Pointless Conversations and 2024 Business Draft
In this episode of Bricks & Bytes Broadcast, Patric, Owen, and Martin explore the remarkable $3.5 billion funding journey of EquipmentShare, a construction tech company that's modernizing the industry.
They delve into the challenges and opportunities of construction technology, discussing the crucial role of human touchpoints in B2B marketplaces and the importance of building trust in an industry heavily reliant on relationships.
The conversation also touches on the potential risks and rewards of EquipmentShare's substantial funding, and whether this gamble will pay off in the long run.
Key Takeaways:
Equipment Share has raised billions of dollars in funding, primarily through a combination of debt and equity financing.
The company focuses on modernizing the construction industry with innovative technology-driven solutions, particularly in equipment rental and fleet management.
Human touchpoints are important in B2B marketplaces, as they allow for personalized advice and build trust in an industry that relies on relationships.
Founders should prioritize important conversations that contribute to their business in the short term or help make informed decisions about the long-term path.
The hosts engage in a business draft game, selecting their top business idols or people they would have on their boards.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction and Discussion of Equipment Share
07:10 Why Does Equipment Share Need So Much Funding?
16:32 Non-Ideal Conversations and Prioritization
Company Mentioned:
EquipmentShare: https://www.equipmentshare.com/
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Bricks & Bytes
Space, Robots, and 'Add the Egg' Philosophy- September's Bricks & Bytes Highlights
September in review: From Paris to Boston, construction tech is booming!
In this month's roundup, Owen and Martin dive into the exciting developments in the world of construction tech. We've hit major milestones, with over 1,000 email subscribers and 900 YouTube followers!
Tune in to catch up on:
✅ Upcoming Super Series episodes, including a robotics company from Amsterdam
✅ Insights from our new podcast verticals: Bitbuilders, Groundbreakers, and Corporate Innovations
✅ The fascinating world of construction in space
✅ How much top construction firms are really spending on innovation
Listen now on Spotify to stay up-to-date with the latest in construction tech.
Vibe Coding Will Die, nPlan CTO Warning, Woodchuck $3.75M Raise, Parsepec $20M Series A,
Construction companies are claiming they're "software companies" now - but this dangerous trend could destroy the industry.In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Owen and Patric dive deep with Alan Mosca (CTO of nPlan) about the AI revolution that's both exciting and terrifying the construction world. Plus, we hear from Todd Thomas of Woodchuck AI about turning construction waste into profit, and Forest from Parspec Inc on their 20 million Series A raise.Key topics discussed:Why contractors thinking they can "vibe code" critical software is setting them up for disasterThe DocuSign problem: why you can't just prompt your way to enterprise securityThe AI paradox that could kill coding platforms when they get too goodHow Woodchuck AI is reducing waste costs by 30% while creating new revenue streamsWhy GCs are "pressurizing a chamber that's already at incredible high pressure"Travis Kalanick's physics breakthrough claims and what they reveal about AI hypeThe real applications of AI that are actually working in constructionKey quote: "That is basically pressurizing a chamber that is already at incredible high pressure with very thin walls. Because GCs run on insanely thin margins with very little time to spare and everything feels like you got it done by a miracle most of the time." - Alan MoscaThis episode doesn't hold back on the hard truths about AI in construction. Listen now to understand what's really happening behind the hype.
Chapters00:00 Intro01:05 Introduction to AI in Construction03:05 Challenges with AI in Construction09:53 The Future of Vibe Coding16:15 The Role of AI in Business and Investment21:16 AI Generated Content and Marketing Strategies27:35 The Influence of Extremes on Public Opinion28:10 Marketing Strategies in the Age of AI29:13 The Dangers of Intellectual Laziness in Content Creation30:03 The Rise of Vibe Coding in Construction30:57 The Challenges of Software Solutions in Construction34:05 Point Solution Fatigue in General Contracting36:56 The Slippery Slope of DIY Software Solutions40:05 Woodchuck's Innovative Approach to Waste Management41:56 AI's Role in Sustainable Construction Practices45:09 The Importance of Pre-Sorting in Waste Management47:54 The Future of Waste Management and Compliance53:07 Funding and Expansion Plans for Woodchuck57:19 The Rise of Tesla Robot Taxis01:02:10 AI in Construction Material Sourcing01:09:24 Challenges in E-commerce for Construction01:15:48 Lessons from Startup Growth
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
Big Tech Rethinks Construction, Palantir $100M Nuclear Deal, Data Center Capacity Crisis & Nvidia AI Profits
Big Tech is Quietly Taking Over Construction (And Making Billions Doing It)In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Owen, Martin, and Patric dive deep into how tech giants are reshaping the construction industry - and who's really profiting from the AI boom.What we cover:How big tech companies are forcing construction firms to completely rethink project deliveryWhy Palantir just signed a $100 million deal with a nuclear company (and what it means for the industry)The shocking truth about where all the AI money actually goesWhy 22-28% of the world's GDP comes from projects - and what that means for capacity vs. softwareThe wild world of fundraising scams targeting desperate startupsWhether usage-based pricing models are about to collapseWhy most construction startups are solving the wrong problemsKey quote: "Why would I invest in software rather than the factory? I would invest in the factory, right? If I want to have access to space and monopolize the access to space, dude, I'm not building software. I'm building a fucking launch ramp and a reusable rocket." - PatricPlus, the hosts try (and fail spectacularly) to guess the World Economic Forum's top 10 emerging technologies of 2025. Spoiler: nobody saw "green nitrogen fixation" coming.------------------Sponsors:BuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.io4M Analytics - Instant, reliable utility data you can trust and verify - https://www.4manalytics.com/-----------------------Chapters00:00 Intro01:21 Heat Waves and Air Conditioning Trends05:23 Big Tech's Influence on Construction11:20 Capacity Challenges in Construction17:14 Palantir's Nuclear Operating System Partnership30:27 Navigating the Complexities of General Contracting33:45 The Role of Private Equity in General Contracting37:56 Emerging Technologies and Their Impact40:40 The Future of Fundraising and Scams in Startups52:35 Understanding the Venture Investment Ecosystem55:25 Navigating Fundraising Challenges58:20 The Role of Fundraising Advisors01:02:30 Effective Messaging in Marketing01:07:18 Competition vs. No Competition in Market01:11:22 Debating Usage-Based Pricing Models
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
ChatGPT Makes Us Dumber, LIVE from House Factory, Vibe Designing Is Here
Does AI Actually Make Us Dumber? MIT Study Reveals Shocking Truth + $15B DocuSign vs. Tiny AI Startup In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, hosts Owen, Martin, and Patric dive deep into the controversial world of AI and its impact on our brains, plus exclusive behind-the-scenes access to Cuby's revolutionary construction process.Key topics discussed:MIT study proves ChatGPT users show "lowest brain engagement" and get lazier over timeDocuSign's $15 billion empire threatened by AI-built copycat app - is this the future?Exclusive live tour of Cuby's construction site where entire house interiors are built in just 16 hoursWhy 95% of billion-dollar companies were NOT venture-backed (and what this means for startups)SnapTrude's game-changing V3 launch that's making architects question their pricingThe brutal truth about why top VCs avoid construction tech despite massive profit marginsLive demo of "vibe designing" - the future of architectural workflowsPlus special guests:Alex from Cuby giving exclusive construction site accessAltaf from SnapTrude revealing their revolutionary new product launchShub with insights from APAC and MENA construction marketsKey quote: "We as a venture community obsess about pumping more money into the next AI, the next software, trying to be number 101. We should stop trying to be number 101 and just try to rebuild the other 1,050 companies which have not been touched." - PatricWarning: Contains heated debates about intellectual property theft, the "muscle atrophy" effect of AI dependency, and why one VC called construction founders "cockroaches" (it's actually a compliment).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 Intro01:36 Introduction and Setting the Scene04:23 The Impact of AI on Critical Thinking08:18 Thought Experiment: The Drug of Supernatural Abilities12:09 The Ethics of AI and Intellectual Property24:48 Guest Introduction and Transition to Cuby Discussion26:59 Documentary Insights and Community Impact29:51 Building in Real Time: A Hands-On Approach38:18 The Future of Construction and Venture Capital48:37 Navigating the Project Economy: Opportunities and Challenges50:18 The Essence of Venture Capital51:31 Consultants vs. In-House Expertise52:33 Real Estate and Venture Capital Dynamics53:21 Innovations in Construction Technology54:26 Navigating Economic Trends in APAC56:34 Understanding Recession Dynamics59:41 Emerging Markets and AI Innovations01:02:38 Mega Projects in MENA01:08:16 The Future of Design and Workflow Solutions01:10:01 The Essence of Design: Vibes and Feelings01:10:45 The Evolution of SnapTree: From Concept to Completion01:14:28 Transforming Early Stage Design: Speed and Efficiency01:16:57 Revolutionizing Design Tools: The Power of SnapTree V301:19:44 Streamlining Communication in Design Projects01:21:47 Influencer Marketing: Expanding Reach and Engagement01:26:14 AI in Design: Myths and Realities01:27:52 The Impact of Technology on Workforce Dynamics
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
Apple Kills Cold Calling, In Office Scares CEO’s, Insurance Proves Climate Change Fears
20 cold calls a day, $150 million in legal fees, and why the smartest CEOs are terrified of in-person competitors.In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, hosts Owen, Martin, Dustin, and Patric are joined by Justin Levine, CEO of Shepherd, for a no-holds-barred discussion about the future of business, technology, and construction.What we dive into:Apple's new AI call screening feature and why it spells doom for sales teamsThe shocking reality of 20 cold calls per day (and why most are terrible)Remote vs. office work: which startup would you fear more as a competitor?Why VCs are hilariously bad at cold outreach emailsConstruction insurance secrets that could save companies millionsThe $270 million Millennium Tower disaster (where legal fees cost more than the actual fix)Why hiring remotely means you need more experienced peopleThe race to build the first $100 billion construction tech companyKey Quote: "If there's a competitor that's going to do exactly what we do - one fully remote, one five days in office - I am 100% more scared of the five day in office per week." - Justin LevineFrom San Francisco's absurd delivery fees to the future of AI gatekeepers, this episode reveals uncomfortable truths about modern business that every entrepreneur needs to hear.--------------------------------------------------------Chapters00:00 Intro01:20 Introduction and Coffee Talk04:20 Construction Assurance and Safety07:31 iOS Updates and Cold Outreach Challenges10:20 Innovations in Construction Insurance13:23 Wrap-Up Policies and Cost Efficiency16:22 Cold Outreach Strategies in 202519:11 The Future of AI in Sales and Marketing28:01 The Importance of Mindset in Growth28:39 Transparency in VC Interactions29:27 Challenges of Cold Outreach in VC30:24 The Role of Experience in Fundraising33:54 Finding the Right Investor Fit40:41 Understanding Investor Strike Zones43:41 Defining Alpha in Venture Capital44:59 The Long-Term Journey of Startups47:42 The Bathtub Analogy in AI and Data Ownership49:58 The Debate on Hustle Culture in Startups50:22 The Value of In-Person Work Culture58:59 The Challenges of Remote Work01:08:15 Remote Work Considerations in Different Industries01:09:11 Remote Work vs. Co-location in Tech and Hardware01:11:42 The Impact of Time on Productivity01:12:28 Rising Costs in Construction Insurance01:16:32 The Challenges of Construction Defects01:21:16 Reducing Insurance Premiums through Technology01:26:59 Business Models in Construction Insurance01:32:01 Future Trends in Construction Technology
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