Why 70% BIM Adoption Is A Lie (And What Procore Just Did About It) - PROCORE's BIM STRATEGY
Most construction companies think they're using BIM. They're not. And it's costing them 20% on every project.In this episode of Bricks & Bytes, Owen sits down with Dave from Procore's BIM team and Tore Hovland, founder of NovaRender (recently acquired by Procore), to unpack what's really happening in the BIM space and why two major acquisitions just changed the game.Key topics discussed:Why BIM adoption is actually 20-30%, not the 70% everyone claimsThe hidden 2GB browser limit killing your ability to view large modelsHow building from 2D vs 3D vs full BIM changes cost overruns from 20% to 5%Why Procore spent millions acquiring NovaRender and Flypaper simultaneouslyThe streaming technology that lets you open 50-mile infrastructure projects in secondsWhat 80% of acquisitions fail and why culture matters more than techThe future where construction happens without drawings"Where we're going, there are no drawings. You could actually build off the model. It could actually be the permit that goes out." - Dave, ProcoreIf you've ever wondered why your BIM models won't load, why projects keep going over budget, or what the hell is actually happening with construction technology right now, this episode breaks it all down.---------------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.ioChapters00:00 Intro02:00 Introduction to Procore and NovaRender Acquisition04:02 Winning BIM: Strategies and Challenges06:52 The Significance of NovaRender in BIM12:04 The Vision Behind NovaRender's Creation15:42 The Decision to Partner with Procore16:57 Acquisition of Flypaper: Enhancing BIM Solutions19:51 BIM Adoption Trends and Statistics23:47 The Impact of BIM on Project Costs28:49 Procore's Growth Strategy in Europe30:26 The Importance of Data Ownership in BIM37:41 Dave's Background and Its Influence on Procore39:16 The Evolution of BIM and Sustainable Construction41:04 User-Centric Design in Construction Technology42:45 Streamlining BIM Models for Field Use45:40 Defining Success in BIM Adoption50:20 Lessons from Founding NoRender54:17 The Acquisition Process: Insights and Experiences01:03:53 Future Predictions for BIM and Construction Technology
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Bricks & Bytes
The €7bn CEO Breaking Every Rule In Construction
Jan Hendrik Goldbeck CEO of GOLDBECK grew his family construction business from €750M to €7B by treating buildings like LEGO.In this episode of Bricks & Bytes, we sit down with Hendrik Goldbeck, CEO of Goldbeck Group, who reveals how 60 years of stubborn innovation and perfect timing transformed a small German metalworking shop into Europe's construction powerhouse.FULL DOCUMENTARY COMING FRIDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER, SUBSCRIBE TO @BBBeyond TO STAY UPDATED: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQPQc0blM3kKey topics discussed:- The 1969 origin story: Why his father rejected "we've always done it this way" thinking- German reunification luck: How overnight demand boom accelerated their product approach- The "war of all against all": Why traditional construction's sequential trade-by-trade model fails- From steel elements to turnkey buildings: 60 years of step-by-step evolution- Decentralization strategy: Getting close to architects and engineers in early design stages- Why construction tech "Tesla" startups keep failing (spoiler: it's still physical construction)- The asset-heavy advantage: Why Katerra failed and patient money wins- Cultural integration challenges: Germans want execution, French want endless discussion- AI's future impact: Prompt-driven design cutting pre-construction from months to weeks- "Nature positive buildings" moonshot: Carbon neutral concrete without green premiums- US expansion plans and the importance of local JV partnerships- Leadership philosophy: Open hierarchies vs flat hierarchies"You cannot come from outside and say 'I'm going to be the Tesla of construction.' It's still construction with all the physical restraints. Each project is still individual even with a product approach." - HendrikFrom surviving the 2008 financial crisis by going anti-cyclical to planning voice-activated building configurators, discover how this stubborn German family business is industrializing construction one LEGO brick at a time.Check out our interview with Goldbeck's tech team here: https://youtu.be/vDNUsgVmZHgEnjoy this? Want further exclusive insights in AEC tech? Sign up to our newsletter: https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/----------------Chapters0:00 - Introduction & Company Growth Story1:04 - Goldbeck Origins & Industrialization Vision6:02 - German Reunification & Market Transformation9:20 - Strategic Growth & International Expansion14:37 - The Goldbeck System & Product Approach19:05 - Industry Resistance & Competitive Landscape22:09 - Growth Philosophy & Strategic Priorities27:35 - Future of Construction & Technology34:06 - Sustainability & Nature Positive Buildings38:02 - Leadership & Company Culture42:01 - Customer Value & Business Model44:13 - Startup Ecosystem & Innovation45:43 - Global Expansion Strategy
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Bricks & Bytes
How 570 Software Tools Power Europe's Most Innovative Construction Company
This German construction giant cracked the code on building 500 projects per year with LEGO-like precision.In this episode of Bricks & Bytes, we sit down with Fabian, Managing Director of Goldbeck Technologies, who reveals how this family-owned company complete rewrote the rules of construction by treating buildings like configurable products rather than one-off projects.FULL DOCUMENTARY COMING FRIDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER, SUBSCRIBE TO @BBBeyond TO STAY UPDATED https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQPQc0blM3kKey topics discussed:- Why traditional construction is broken (fragmented design with no shared responsibility)- The "LEGO approach": How standardized building systems enable mass customization- 480-person R&D department developing everything from AI chatbots to augmented reality quality control- Building Operating System: Creating live digital twins for operations and maintenance- Why most construction startups fail by trying to "make horses better instead of building cars"- From 3,700 to 14,000 employees: The 40-year journey to their "hockey stick" moment- 570+ software solutions and the challenge of managing technological complexity- AI as an interface layer: Using agents to orchestrate multiple tools seamlessly- Decarbonizing concrete and steel: Already 35% below market average carbon footprint- The configurator vs. client choice dilemma: "We give options, not open-ended questions""We try to sell a product rather than an individual project. It's like configuring your car - you can decide comfort steering wheel or sporty steering wheel, small engine or racing engine. We make sure everything fits together." - FabianFrom factories producing prefabricated elements to augmented reality construction management, discover how Goldbeck industrialized an industry that most consider "un-industrializable."Check out our interview with GOLDBECK's CEO, Jan Hendrik: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-zrwzhId0cEnjoy this? Want further exclusive insights in AEC tech? Sign up to our newsletter: https://bricksbytes.beehiiv.com/Chapters0:00 - Fabian's Role at Goldbeck Technologies0:49 - Company Culture & Technology Foundation1:12 - Building 500 Buildings Per Year with Technology2:31 - Goldbeck Technologies: 480 People R&D Division3:50 - Balancing Future Innovation vs Immediate Profits5:52 - Building Operating System & Digital Twin Development6:53 - Most Exciting Innovation Areas & Nature Positive Buildings8:40 - Traditional Construction Problems vs Goldbeck's Solution9:58 - Product Approach & Early Client Engagement Strategy12:05 - Finding Clients Early: Regional Sales & AI Tools13:43 - In-House Design Teams vs External Consultants14:46 - Product-Specific BIM Implementation15:31 - Client Education & Overcoming Market Resistance18:15 - Decision-Making Process: Car Configurator Analogy19:13 - Lean Construction vs Managing Just-in-Time Delivery20:39 - Why Few Companies Use This Approach (40-Year Development)22:11 - Complex Business Model Requirements22:59 - Technology Success Stories: Building Automation24:19 - Augmented Reality for Quality Control25:54 - Software Development Team (120-140 People)27:03 - ID Solution Process: Build vs Buy Decisions28:00 - AI Department & Implementation Strategy29:36 - Internal AI Chatbot & Knowledge Management30:43 - AI in Design: Configurators vs AI Designers31:46 - Managing 570+ Software Solutions33:00 - AI as Interface for Multiple Tools34:50 - Robots in Factories vs Construction Sites35:44 - Innovation Scouting & Stage-Gate Process36:52 - Venture Capital Fund Partnerships38:56 - Direct Startup Investments & Focus Areas40:41 - Sustainability & Carbon Neutral Goals42:19 - Timber vs Concrete: Cost-Benefit Analysis44:00 - 35% Carbon Reduction in Concrete Elements45:04 - Success Metrics & Company Culture47:10 - Goldbäcker Family Culture & Work Environment
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Bricks & Bytes
From Arduino to Innovation: How Massimo Democratized Hardware Prototyping - BitBuilders - Building hard things
Note : This is a re-release of an episode that was originally uploaded to BitBuilders."I've made every single mistake that exists in running startups." - Massimo Banzi, co-founder of ArduinoOur host, Gabriele Tinelli - investor at Foundamental, Aerospace Engineer and hardware nerd - sits down with Massimo Banzi, the co-creator of Arduino. They discuss the evolution of open-source hardware, the challenges of building a global brand, and the future of edge computing in robotics. Banzi shares insights on making technology accessible to beginners while still serving professionals. He emphasizes the importance of hands-on learning in tech education and reflects on the changing landscape of open-source projects. ----Chapters00:00 Intro04:30 Introduction to Interaction Design and Massimo Banzi09:44 The Birth of Arduino: A Prototyping Revolution19:35 Arduino's Evolution: From Hobbyist to Professional Tool29:20 The Arduino Community and Open Source Philosophy36:27 Future Trends: Arduino and AI Integration39:50 Integrating Arduino into Systems41:24 The Power of Edge Computing42:40 Advancements in Computer Vision for :04 The Role of AI in Robotics47:32 Lessons from Startup Experiences52:53 The Evolution of Open Source54:43 Encouraging Young Innovators1:01:16 Current Projects and Future Aspirations1:05:41 Advice for Educators and Future Generations
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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