Inside the Mind of Europe's Largest VC Founder in Built-World | Gregory Dewerpe
Join us for an exclusive insider look at AO Venture Capital, Europe's largest built-world VC firm with direct access to $40 Billion in real estate.
In this episode, we sit down with AO’s founder Gregory Dewerpe, as he reveals the genesis of AO, their unique approach to investing in new construction technology, and the key factors that drive success in this space. If you're a startup, a venture capitalist, or a business owner – this episode is a must-listen.
Find out:
How AO Venture Capital is leading the way in funding innovative solutions for a more sustainable built environment
The unique investment approach that sets AO apart, and gives your startup a competitive edge
What key factors will determine your success in the built world technology sector, directly from a leading investor
How Dewerpe’s background in real estate and entrepreneurship shapes their investment strategy.
Ready to transform the built world? Don't miss this episode! Sign up for more inspiring stories and expert insights.
#AOVentureCapital #BuiltWorld #VC #Sustainability #Technology #Entrepreneurship
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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
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BuildVision is a procurement network for the $5T commercial construction market. We are transforming the commercial construction supply chain by bringing contractors, manufacturers, and project stakeholders onto a single software platform—revolutionizing how every component is sourced, purchased, and financed.
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Timestamps:
(00:00:00-00:02:17) Intro
(00:02:17-00:10:17) About A/O
(00:10:17-00:12:35) How To Raise Funds In The Beginning
(00:12:35-00:16:44) Key Lessons Leant While Building A/O
(00:16:44-00:20:47) Definition of Built World According To Gregory
(00:20:47-00:30:10) Opportunities In Built World
(00:30:10-00:32:50) Questions VCs Ask To Founders
(00:32:50-00:39:34) What Makes One Retrofit Company Stand Over Another
(00:39:34-00:44:53) Thoughts Behind Investing In SPAN
(00:44:53-00:47:25) Thoughts Behind Investing In ENTER
(00:47:25-00:56:26) Labor Shortage In Construction
(00:56:26-00:59:53) Profitability Of Startups In Construction
(00:59:53-01:06:54) Process Followed In A/O While Raising Funds
(01:06:54-01:09:14) Differences In Startup Founders in Europe vs US
(01:09:14-01:09:58) Outro
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Bricks & Bytes
Suffolk Boost Program, Super Series with Ediphi, AI Report & Construction Tech Funding - October’s Monthly Roundup
"50% of construction projects are over budget or late due to contract compliance issues."
In this month’s roundup episode, Martin & Owen discussed about their newly released AI report, which explores AI applications in construction document management. They interviewed five startups and Microsoft to gather insights for this report.
They discussed upcoming plans, including a trip to Boston to record episodes with Suffolk's Boost program startups.
Martin and Owen reflected on some notable episodes from October, including conversations with industry veterans like Amar from Autodesk and a discussion on why construction tech companies fail, using Flux as a case study.
They touched on the rapid growth of construction tech funding, now representing 0.8% of total VC funding, up from 0.2-0.3% pre-2021.
They also mentioned their robotics podcast, Bitbuilders, and an interesting episode about space construction with Lee Rosen from Think Orbital.
Go and check out the AI Report on our Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/bricks_bytes/shop/construction-tech-revolution-in-india-596700?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=productshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
Also, don’t forget to watch the full roundup episode here:
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Bricks & Bytes
The Truth Behind DeepSeek’s Impact on AEC | Alan Mosca on AI & Construction Tech
"Training an AI model's final run for $6M does not mean the entire model costs $6M"In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Alan Mosca, CTO and co-founder of nPlan, who shared fascinating insights about AI developments, construction tech, and the future of project planning.Tune in to find out about:✅ The truth behind DeepSeek's training costs and why media reporting missed the mark✅ How nPlan's Barry agent helps construction teams make better decisions through meeting notes, WhatsApp integration, and email connectivity✅ Why the future of software isn't SaaS - it's buying outcomes through agents that perform specific tasks✅ nPlan's game-changing "Schedule Studio" that can generate detailed project schedules in 45 minutesListen to the full episode to learn how AI is reshaping construction planning and why transparency, not blame, is key to better project outcomes.----Chapters00:00 Intro05:26 Introduction and Overview of Enplan07:12 DeepSeek and the Reality of AI Training Costs15:36 Open vs Closed Source Models in AI26:23 The Rise of Agents in AI and Construction31:23 Future of Startups: Agents vs Traditional Software36:01 The Evolution of AI and the Path to AGI44:01 Defining AGI and Its Implications45:26 Introduction to Nplan and Its Mission47:24 The Functionality of Barry: AI in Project Management49:27 Continuous Learning and Model Optimization53:23 Demonstrating the Value of Planning in Construction57:28 Customer Perspectives on AI in Project Management1:00:31 Product Development and Future Directions for Nplan1:11:39 Cultural Change in Construction Through AI
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Bricks & Bytes
Kojo's $275m Journey - How CEO Maria Davidson Built One Of AEC Tech's Most Exciting Businesses
Note : This is a re-release of an episode that was initially released at Groundbreakers."Nobody replied to our cold emails. So we started showing up at construction sites with pizza boxes - that worked."In today's episode, we had Maria Davidson, CEO of Kojo, share how she built a construction tech company now valued at $275M. A former VC with no construction background, Maria's story of building a procurement platform used by 500+ trade contractors offers valuable lessons for anyone trying to break into a traditional industry.Tune in to find out about:✅ Why being an industry outsider became her strength✅ How delivering pizzas led to their first customers✅ The metrics VCs actually care about at each funding stage✅ Managing hypergrowth from 0 to 125 employeesWant to learn how Maria turned rejection into a $275M company? Listen to the full episode
New Steel Tariffs Hit, Is A 12hr Work-day Unreasonable, Decision Making Frameworks, ChaGPT NoteTaker Kills Startups
50% Tarrifs are about to break construction - And That's Only The BeginningIn this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, our hosts dive deep into the chaos reshaping the construction industry and startup world. What we cover:The shocking 50% steel and aluminum tariffs that just doubled construction costs overnightWhy rebar prices have exploded 26% and added $14,000 to every homeHow 68% of builders are now facing project delays due to supplier chaosThe brutal truth about why VCs pushing "996" work culture are dead wrongChatGPT's bombshell announcement that just killed $250M worth of AI startupsWhy construction tech companies are becoming consultancies (and if that's good or bad)The real reason behind tariffs that nobody talks aboutForward deployed engineers - the new trend taking over AEC techWhy some founders are burning out while others thrive"VCs pushing 9 to 6 are idiots. Most founders have no liquid capital and are actually struggling to make ends meet. You need to do whatever makes you most effective because it's not about hours you work, it's about output." - DustinFrom supply chain disasters to startup strategies, this episode unpacks the macro forces reshaping how we build - and who survives the chaos.------------------Sponsors:BuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.io4M Analytics - Instant, reliable utility data you can trust and verify - https://www.4manalytics.com/----------------------Chpaters00:00 Introduction and Current Events04:45 Impact of New Tariffs on Construction07:48 Economic Implications of Tariffs10:55 Labor Market Dynamics in Construction13:52 Challenges in Project Management16:57 Future of Construction Projects19:52 Immigration and Labor Supply22:51 Market Reactions and Predictions25:47 Conclusion and Future Outlook31:58 Infrastructure Investment and Economic Resilience33:43 Restoration Business Dynamics34:53 Market Optimism and Economic Trends39:48 Technology in AEC: Forward Deployed Engineering52:11 Software Stack Consolidation and Customization58:09 Partnerships in Technology Solutions01:05:24 The 996 Work Culture Debate01:08:10 Personal Work Routines and Mental Health01:11:01 Decision-Making in Business01:16:24 The Role of Bias in Decision-Making01:21:02 Expertise and Learning in Business01:26:01 Hiring and Team Dynamics01:31:27 The Future of AI Note-Taking
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
Builder AI $450M Bankruptcy - The Beginning Of The End for AI Startups? Johnny Ive's $6.5B Hire by OpenAI, Hiring Missionaries vs Mercenaries, TAM Reality Check
A $450 million AI startup just went bankrupt after lying about their revenue - and this might be just the beginning of the AI apocalypse.In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Owen, Martin, Dustin, and Patrick dive deep into the shocking collapse of Builder AI and what it reveals about the entire AI industry. From fraudulent revenue claims to human workers disguised as AI, this cautionary tale exposes the dark side of Silicon Valley's latest obsession.Key topics discussed:Builder AI's spectacular $450M bankruptcy and 25% revenue overstatementWhy 90-95% of AI companies are headed for failure according to VCsOpenAI's questionable $6.5 billion acquisition of Johnny Ive's design firmHow construction companies are getting fed up with AI promisesThe deadly mistakes founders make with venture debtWhy hiring "missionaries" beats "mercenaries" every timeThe real cost of delayed hiring decisions on cash burnWhy Ivy League credentials might actually hurt you in construction techThe truth about TAM calculations and industry sizing myths"I talked to a VC yesterday, and we were guesstimating... 90% to 95% of AI companies are just going to go to zero." - Dustin DeVanTune in for unfiltered insights on AI hype, hiring secrets, and what really matters in construction tech.----------------------Chapters00:00 Intro01:13 Welcome Back and Conference Insights04:12 AI in the AEC Industry: Challenges and Opportunities07:11 Builder AI: A Case Study in Failure10:15 The Impact of AI on Communication and Critical Thinking13:21 Navigating Debt and Financial Stability in Startups16:21 The Future of Software in Construction19:08 The Role of Communication in a Tech-Driven World33:39 Navigating Venture Debt and Equity Financing39:18 Understanding Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) and Its Implications47:16 The AI Hype: Reality vs. Expectations53:18 Evaluating the Impact of Emerging Technologies01:05:30 The Role of Data in AI Development01:12:23 The Future of AI and Its Limitations01:18:19 Hiring Strategies in the AEC Tech World01:21:59 Understanding Talent Acquisition and Onboarding01:31:33 The Impact of Backgrounds on Hiring Success01:38:54 Assessing the True TAM of the Construction Industry----------------------------Sponsors:BuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.io4M Analytics - Instant, reliable utility data you can trust and verify - https://www.4manalytics.com/
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
Why Data Centers Might Crash, Autodesk Alienates Christians, Y Combinator Predatory Practices, Paper Beats Digital, with Softbank's $100B Pledge
"Data centers might be overbuilding. When industries overshoot, they always crash back to reality." - Dustin DeVan on our latest episodeIn today's episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we got to learn about the $500B "Stargate" project between OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle that's having trouble finding backers as data center costs rise.We got to hear why Autodesk's God-themed ad campaign shows they don't understand their construction customers, despite having amazing 91% profit margins. Also, we heard TestFit CEO Clifton Harness explain how their tools cut dirt costs from 30% to 20% on industrial projects through better site grading.Tune in to find out about: ✅ Why smart capital is hesitant to invest in data center construction right now ✅ How Y Combinator takes 7% equity while giving little value to founders ✅ Why Safe Notes are becoming unpopular with serious investors ✅ The real reason construction permits are harder to get in the US vs Europe------------Timestamps00:00:00 Intro00:01:07 Introduction and Event Season Insights00:04:09 Data Center Construction: Boom or Bust?00:07:11 Stargate Project and AI Infrastructure Challenges00:10:03 Market Dynamics and Overcapacity Concerns00:12:59 Energy Consumption and Utility Challenges00:16:07 Investment Hesitations in Data Center Technologies00:19:04 Marketing Strategies and Autodesk's Controversial Campaign00:40:42 Distraction Tactics in Business00:42:05 Stock Valuations and Market Strategies00:43:06 Analyzing Autodesk's Financial Performance00:50:10 The Role of Boards in Corporate Governance00:52:07 Civil Engineering Innovations and Controversies00:59:11 Sales Strategies and Company Growth01:08:47 Introduction to Bricks and Bytes01:09:07 Understanding Market Segmentation01:10:01 Debating Y Combinator's Impact01:11:05 The Value of Mentorship in Startups01:13:16 Critique of SAFE Notes01:14:57 The Complexity of Infrastructure Costs01:22:08 Comparing Planning Systems: Anglosphere vs Europe
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
How China Builds Nuclear Plants Cheaper, Construction's $860bn Problem, Robotics in Solar & Trump 2.0 Germany Effects
EXPOSED: How China is Building Nuclear Power for 90% Less While the West Falls Behind"Every level that you move up the construction chain, you're saving 50 bips of interest. From capital provider to owner to GC to sub to supplier to manufacturer rep - seven, eight steps, 4%. That's why a million-dollar generator costs owners $1.7 million." - Mike Powers, BuildVisionIn this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, our hosts dive into why China can build nuclear reactors at a fraction of Western costs while the US and Europe struggle with massive delays and budget overruns.Key topics include:Why China can build nuclear reactors for $2.7B while Western projects balloon to $40B+The efficiency secrets behind China's massive infrastructure projectsSmall Modular Reactors (SMRs) as a potential solution to nuclear's problemsGermany's trillion-dollar infrastructure investment planHow robotics is revolutionizing solar panel installationWhy industry events might be useful for startups but painful for everyone else"Nuclear is a cash machine when you operate it, but it ruins you when you build it, when you have to maintain it, when you have to repair it, and it completely ruins you once you have to decommission it." - Patric------------Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Nuclear Energy and Global Context06:06 Cost Disparities in Nuclear Energy Projects12:02 China's Nuclear Ambitions and Infrastructure Efficiency19:54 Understanding the Economics of Nuclear Energy31:46 The Future of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)36:31 Energy Independence and Nuclear Power39:44 Germany's Political Landscape and Infrastructure Spending48:55 AI in Construction: Ownership of Workflows54:23 Streamlining Construction Financing and Working Capital01:08:52 Market Dynamics and Demand Aggregation01:10:46 Introduction of James Emerick and Cosmic Robotics01:11:52 Innovations in Construction Robotics01:14:42 Expanding Robotics Applications Beyond Solar01:18:05 Global Competition in Robotics and Solar Installation01:19:50 Future Projections for Solar Demand01:21:24 Business Models in Robotics01:23:10 Path to Becoming a Robotics Engineer01:24:20 The Role of Events in Networking and Business01:31:52 Event Experiences and Startup Strategies
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