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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Bricks & Bytes
You Can't Build Buildings With AI - Why Skilled Trades Matter More Than Ever
"Universities Are 15 Years Behind, We Don't Need More Degrees"In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Gary Cowan, the head of digital construction at Kane Group and we got to learn about how MEP contractors are becoming technology companies, why the traditional education system is failing construction workers, and the real challenges behind construction automation that nobody talks about.Tune in to find out about:✅ Why breaking down buildings into modular components and prefabricating in factories is changing project delivery across the UK and Ireland✅ The massive shift from siloed Excel files to cloud-based real-time data systems and what it takes to make that transformation work✅ Why universities teaching 15-year-old methods are creating a skills gap and why we need more tradespeople who understand technology✅ The hidden problems with construction robots that sound great in theory but struggle with real-world challenges like consistent finishes and quality controlWatch now to hear Gary break down how traditional contractors are evolving into digital-first service providers.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.co
Chapters 00:00 Intro & Sponsors04:26 Introduction to Digital Construction 07:21 Understanding the Role of Head of Digital Construction 10:12 Challenges in Existing Structures and Digital Verification 13:19 The Importance of Collaboration in Construction 16:13 The Evolution of Technology in Construction 19:25 Prefabrication and Its Integration in Design 22:20 The Digital Tool Tech Stack 25:05 Virtual Reality in Construction 28:19 Augmented Reality and Reality Capture Solutions 33:55 The Rise of XR Technology 34:11 AI: Hype vs. Reality 35:54 Navigating AI Adoption 38:15 The Challenge of Authenticity in Tech 39:44 The Importance of Expertise 43:08 Evaluating Tech Solutions 45:17 Frustrations with Vendor Solutions 47:19 Rolling Out New Technologies 50:07 Aligning Data Across the Business 52:26 Pain Points in Real-Time Data 56:12 Robotics in MEP 1:00:07 Expanding Digital Construction Services 1:02:05 The Future of Digital Construction
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Bricks & Bytes
"Why Your Construction Tech Stack Looks Like a Mess" - Construction Tech Stack Management Complexities
"Often it results in an almost Frankenstein technology stack where you may have different things for different reasons."This is the reality of construction tech adoption today.In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Josh Weyand from Trunk Tools and we got to learn about navigating the messy world of construction technology, why some solutions stay point solutions while others scale enterprise-wide, and the critical mistake vendors make when trying to sell to large contractors... and many more!Tune in to find out about:✅ Why building trust and credibility matters more than your product features when selling to contractors✅ The real reasons technologies don't scale (hint: it's not always about the product)✅ How to align your solution to business initiatives instead of hitting friction at every step✅ What makes construction-specific tools win over generic software solutionsWatch now to hear Josh's insights from his time as Director of Emerging Technologies at Suffolk and his current role helping builders solve real problems.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.io📩 Subscribe to the Bricks & Bytes Newsletter: https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/🌐 Visit our website: http://bricks-bytes.com/📲 Follow us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/ Twitter: https://x.com/bricksbytespod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/Enjoying the insights? Hit that Subscribe button to stay ahead in construction tech, AI, and the future of how we build.Chapters00:00 Intro03:45 Navigating Construction Technology: Insights from the Field 14:36 The Challenges of Scaling Tech Solutions 25:37 Peer Groups and Shared Success in Construction Tech 30:14 Overcoming Frustrations with Tech Vendors 31:47 From Pilot to Scale: Best Practices for Adoption 36:46 The Value of Piloting Technology 40:38 Understanding Innovation Theater 44:56 Buying Technology in Construction 48:18 Core Technologies for General Contractors 51:57 Transitioning to Trunk Tools 56:16 The Role of an Enterprise Solutions Engineer 01:00:40 Winning the Market with Construction Specificity
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Bricks & Bytes
From Seed to Series B - What Actually Worked Along the Way
"If I could do some things over, I would have hired marketing leadership earlier, even before sales."That's what Document Crunch CEO Josh Levy told his VP of Marketing, Lori Peters.In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Lori Peters from Document Crunch and we got to learn about why construction tech marketing is fundamentally different from other SaaS industries, how to scale from seed to Series B, and what's actually working in 2025.Tune in to find out about:✅ Why conferences are their biggest lead generation channel (while other SaaS companies avoid them)✅ How they expanded nationally by going where their customers were, not just selling remotely✅ The shift from marketing-led pipeline to fully integrated go-to-market teams✅ Why LinkedIn still dominates and how AI is changing organic search foreverWatch now to hear how a 10-year construction tech marketing veteran built a winning strategy from the ground up.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 Intro03:26 Introduction to Document Crunch and Construction Tech06:28 Evolution of Marketing in Construction Tech09:23 Marketing Strategies Through Funding Stages12:23 Challenges in Scaling Marketing Operations15:11 Effective In-Person Marketing Channels18:29 Community Initiatives: Built by Builders and Crunch Community21:28 Targeting Customers and Tailoring Messages30:03 The Costly Disruptions in Construction30:58 Understanding Disputes and Their Impact32:28 The Role of Customer Advisory Boards34:43 Navigating the AI Landscape in Construction37:39 Building Trust in AI Solutions38:59 Leveraging Investor Relationships40:17 Partnerships and Trust in Marketing42:23 AI in Marketing Strategies47:30 Marketing Nuances in the Construction Industry49:19 The Importance of Thought Leadership52:12 Structuring a Growing Marketing Team53:49 Technology in the Marketing Stack54:57 Future Predictions for Marketing in AEC
Construction Crash Coming - Our NEW Host, US Economy Contracts 0.3%, Trump Tariffs Hit Construction, Autodesk vs Procore Battle, AI, Biggest Construction Tech Failures
Is Construction Headed for a Slowdown, or a Full-Blown Crash?
This week on Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, things get spicy.We dig into the 0.3% drop in US GDP—and why it might just be the beginning for the construction sector. But tariffs and rate hikes are only half the story. The real drama? AI hype cycles, Autodesk vs. Procore, and why most “AI for construction” startups are just faucets with no bathtub.
Inside this episode:Why the US economy is wobbling—and how it's already hitting constructionThe real reason projects are stalling (hint: it’s not just input costs)The “bathtub vs. faucet” theory of AI—and how it exposes weak GTM strategiesAutodesk: overpriced legacy? Or sleeping giant ready to crush Procore?The top 20 construction tech failures—modular startups dominate the list
Plus:What BuildingConnected could have become (and why Autodesk isn’t using it)Why not having pricing certainty is killing dealsThe Katerra excuse that made everyone on the show wince
Key Quote:
"You're not solving the problem. You're just identifying the problem for someone else to win." - Dustin DeVan
If you’re in AEC and want to see the next wave coming before it hits... this one’s required listening.
------Chapters00:00 Intro01:35 Introduction and Welcome02:43 US Economy Contraction and Recession Concerns08:38 Impact of Tariffs on Construction Costs13:37 Short-term vs Long-term Economic Perspectives19:40 Global Supply Chain and Trade Dynamics25:34 AI's Role in Construction and Economic Resilience31:35 Business Strategies in a Volatile Market38:25 Innovative Content Formats in AI and Supply Chains40:06 The Role of AI in Construction Economics42:57 AI as a Commodity: The Bathtub Metaphor49:26 Disrupting the Authoring Space: Challenges and Opportunities56:44 Investing in Autodesk: A Critical Analysis01:11:11 Procore's Challenges and Market Dynamics01:13:44 Marketing Strategies in Construction Tech01:15:55 Potential Disruptors: Google and Microsoft01:20:15 Mergers and Acquisitions in Construction Tech01:21:47 Top Construction Tech Failures: A Game01:27:00 Lessons from Construction Tech Failures
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
VCs Are NOT Always The Answer - Bootstrapping Benefits & Sustainable Growth from Funding Experts
"Venture capital in PropTech increased 82X from $200M to $15B in just 15 years - but is VC money right for construction tech founders right now?"In today's episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we got to learn about J.P. Bowgen's journey from AlphaSites to Macy's corporate innovation team to becoming a partner at Camber Creek.We got to learn about how Camber Creek de-risks investments by testing startups with their 300+ real estate and construction LP network before investing.Also, we learned about J.P.'s hot take that PropTech and ConTech might not actually be mature enough for venture capital money right now - with only 1 in 4 companies spending more than 1% of revenue on digitization.Tune in to find out about: ✅ How Camber Creek operates as an "outsourced R&D department" for real estate companies ✅ Why construction tech is 5-7 years behind PropTech but might soon leapfrog it ✅ The shift in ConTech companies selling upstream to owners instead of just GCs ✅ The importance of personal brand building for VCsListen now on Spotify to hear the full conversation with J.P. Bowgen.-----------Chapters00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates01:10 Journey into Venture Capital05:30 Transition from Macy's to Camber Creek14:51 Establishing a Presence in Europe16:23 Camber Creek's Investment Thesis and Origins18:29 The Digital Transformation of Real Estate19:55 De-risking Investments through Strategic Engagement21:21 The Role of Strategic Investors in Venture Capital23:41 Navigating the Landscape of Venture Capital26:26 The Importance of Media in Deal Flow30:29 Building a Personal Brand in Venture Capital33:41 Opportunistic Investing in PropTech and Construction Tech37:30 The Shift in Technology Adoption in Construction39:36 Debunking Misconceptions about Venture Capital
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
US VC Returns Underperform Globally - Market Saturation & Hidden Opportunities from Construction Unicorns
"The US VC market is the worst performing of all VC markets across the world in terms of financial performance." In today's episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we got to learn about BuildOps securing $127 million in Series C funding and achieving unicorn status with a $1B valuation.We also explored the structural differences between US and European contractor software markets, where European contractors are typically smaller and 5-10 years behind in software adoption compared to their US counterparts.Additionally, we gained insight into how fund size impacts investment strategy, with smaller VC funds avoiding obvious competitive spaces that larger funds eagerly pursue.Tune in to find out about:✅ Why BuildOps and Service Titan succeed with modular software for contractors✅ How SaaS business models justify higher valuations than traditional services✅ Why European construction software is following a roll-up strategy✅ The difference between investing in "the business" versus "the share price"------Chapters00:00 Introduction and Recent Developments04:50 BuildOps: A New Unicorn in Construction Tech19:06 Comparing BuildOps and ServiceTitan27:49 Valuation Insights and Market Dynamics
"Windows and doors constitute about 8% of a home's value, but the ratio actually skews upward as the value of the home goes up." - A fascinating insight into why this category commands such high margins globally.In today's episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we got to learn about Green Fortune's $4.5M funding from Fundamental, bringing cloud manufacturing to the windows and doors industry in India.We got to learn about India's evolving investment landscape, with Western funds increasingly launching India-specific strategies rather than treating it as just another "emerging market."Also, we learnt about the "Dolphin Founder" philosophy that investors value - founders who "come up for air" by proving EBITDA profitability before a funding round.Tune in to find out about:✅ Why windows are one of the most touched points in your home and critical to energy efficiency✅ How Green Fortune is filling the "missing middle" between luxury and substandard options✅ Why building materials companies perform exceptionally well in Indian public markets✅ The upcoming IPOs of construction tech companies in India for 2025Listen to the full episode on Spotify to hear more insights on construction tech investments across global markets.-----------Chapters00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:39 Investment in Green Fortune: Overview and Rationale06:30 Cloud Manufacturing in the Building Materials Sector10:04 Market Dynamics: Customization and Standardization in India13:21 The Importance of Windows in Construction15:06 Green Fortune's Unique Selling Proposition18:58 Utilization of Investment Funds26:38 Business Model and Revenue Generation26:44 Exploring Green Fortune's Sales Channels29:01 Profitability and Business Model Insights31:19 Innovations in Manufacturing and Supply Chain34:01 Investment Landscape in India39:45 Challenges and Opportunities for Startups46:55 The IPO Market in India