This Fortune 500 Company Had Never Used Excel Until 2016 - The $300B Tech Gap in Store Development
"I got employee of the year in 2016 for introducing Excel to my company."That's the state of technology in the $300 billion store development industry.In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we sat down with Genevieve Davis and Alim Uderbekov from Surfaice. These two met on a beach in California (yes, really) and decided to tackle one of the most analog industries out there with AI agents.Here's what we covered:✅ Why companies building hundreds of stores aren't using Procore (hint: it's expensive and they're retailers, not developers)✅ The "McDonald's is a race car" analogy - why 40,000 cookie-cutter restaurants are actually the perfect use case for AI in construction✅ How code is becoming a commodity and why that changes everything about vertical software✅ Why AI won't take your job, but people who know how to use it willLink in comments - give it a listen if you're in retail, store development, or just want to hear how two people turned a beach conversation into a company.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 Intro03:46 Introduction to Surface and Founders' Backgrounds 06:48 The Vision Behind Surface and AI in Construction 09:41 The Meeting of Minds: Genevieve and Alim's Collaboration 12:45 Current Challenges in Store Development 15:30 AI's Role in Automating Construction Processes 18:32 Efficiency Gains and Time Savings with AI 21:44 The Future of Store Development and Human Touchpoints 24:30 Defensibility and Business Model of Surface 27:25 Funding and Future Plans for Surface 39:13 Investment Insights and Strategic Partnerships 41:31 Customer Engagement and Feedback 44:33 AI in Construction: Transforming Workflows 47:14 Navigating the Go-To-Market Strategy 54:20 Understanding Competition in the AI Space 59:25 Customization and Onboarding Process 01:03:07 Future of AI in Construction
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Bricks & Bytes
LIVE at SpeckleCon 2025 - Bricks & Bytes - Full Stream
In this special episode, we're broadcasting live from SpeckleCon 2025 in London, where the future of construction technology is being written in real-time. We sat down with some of the biggest names in AEC tech to talk about the one thing everyone's finally paying attention to: data.
We hear from Suffolk Construction and Pomerlau on turning BIM chaos into usable data, MultiConsult's Morten on giving engineers superpowers with Python, Martin Day's warning that we're all horses before the industrial revolution, Oliver Thomas on why small firms will beat the giants in the AI race, and Speckle's Dimitrie and Virginia on their push to become the data platform that finally fixes this broken industry.
Key Takeaways:• Data accessibility is the new battleground - visibility matters more than authoring tools• General contractors are leading the charge on data infrastructure• Off-the-shelf LLMs don't work well for AEC without fine-tuning• The visualization industry is getting disrupted by AI right now• Open source doesn't mean free, but it does mean you own your exit strategy• Outcome-based pricing is coming for construction software• The market for design seats might be 50% smaller than we think once AI hits
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How Our High School Band Led To HVAC Software - Building HVAKR
From indie rock band to HVAC software startup—how's that for a pivot?In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Davis Muxlow and Andrew Krippner from HVAKR and we got to learn about building construction tech from the ground up, the innovator's dilemma killing legacy software companies, and why making products faster might actually hurt your revenue... and many more!Tune in to find out about:✅ How a church worship team "audition" turned into a college band and eventually a software company✅ Why legacy HVAC programs are making engineers slower despite new updates✅ The double-edged sword of efficiency: one engineer now doing the work of three✅ How AI is forcing SaaS companies to rethink their entire pricing modelThese guys went from mechanical engineering students with a Slack channel full of startup ideas to building a product that's actually making their customers more productive.The kicker? Their product works so well that customers need fewer seats. That's the kind of problem you want to have.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.ioAphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.coChapters00:00 Intro03:19 The Musical Beginnings 05:20 From Bandmates to Entrepreneurs 09:13 The Path to HVACR 15:07 Building the Foundation of HVACR 19:02 The Accelerator Journey 25:10 The Product Unveiled 31:15 The Importance of Design in HVACR 35:18 Streamlining HVAC Design Processes 40:43 Design as a Differentiator 41:38 Innovative Pricing Models 44:35 Streamlining Sales Processes 48:12 Effective Trial Management 54:40 Customer-Centric Product Development 57:10 Building a Personal Brand 1:03:02 The Value of Transparency 1:04:13 Avoiding Common Mistakes in Product Design 1:09:25 Metrics of Success in Software Usage
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90% of Construction Firms Have ZERO Employees - The Reality of Residential Construction in America
How do you run a $2 trillion segment of the economy with just a book?In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Dmitry Alexin from Handoff and we got to learn about how AI is transforming residential construction, why 90% of US construction firms are one-person operations struggling with back-office work, and how a former IMF economist ended up building technology that delivers cost estimates in 30 seconds... and many more!Tune in to find out about:✅ Why traditional construction cost data is stuck in the physical book era and how real-time APIs are changing the game✅ How contractors can now delegate entire workflows to an AI agent through simple voice commands while driving between jobs✅ Why selling to residential contractors requires throwing out the enterprise playbook and leading with instant product value✅ The surprising shift of professionals from marketing and accounting backgrounds entering residential construction with a software-first mindsetWatch now to hear Dmitry's journey from GDP forecasting during the Ebola pandemic to revolutionizing how residential contractors run their businesses.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.ioAphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.coChapters00:00 Intro03:40 Introduction to Handoff and Its Purpose06:41 Dmitry's Background and Transition to Construction09:30 The Data Challenge in Construction12:49 Building the First Real-Time API for Construction Prices15:35 The Evolution of Handoff and Its Features18:37 The Importance of Accurate Estimating21:37 The Role of AI in Construction Estimating24:40 Understanding Labor and Material Costs27:32 Streamlining Procurement Processes30:36 Product-Led Growth Strategy33:35 Overcoming Skepticism in the Industry37:55 Leading with Value: Product-Led Growth38:42 Go-To-Market Strategies: Finding Your Audience43:24 Targeting Residential Contractors: A Strategic Choice46:54 The Role of AI Agents in Construction Tech49:25 Learning from Failures: Experimentation in Startups55:35 Future of Construction: Robotics and Material Science58:60 Funding Insights: Building a Diverse Investor Base01:05:05 Advice for Technical Founders: Embracing Humility01:07:15 Join the Team: Opportunities at Handoff
$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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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
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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