Ever wondered how major VC firms evaluate and invest (or reject) in construction technology startups?
In this episode, we sit down with Aaron Toppston and Yaniv Lusana of GS Futures, a major venture capital firm backing the next generation of construction technology. Discover how they're identifying the "painkillers" that are transforming the industry, from autonomous robots navigating complex job sites to AI-powered solutions revolutionising every stage of the construction lifecycle.
Discover the unique challenges and opportunities in this rapidly evolving space. Take a look into the future of construction and the technologies that are set to transform it.
Key Takeaways:
GS Futures' prime focus: Identifying "painkiller" technologies that solve critical construction pain points
Hot areas: Robotics, AI, digital twins, supply chain management, low-carbon materials
Top traits they seek in founders: Deep industry understanding, clear product vision, ability to sell
Underinvested spaces ripe for innovation: Workflow solutions, stakeholder connectivity
Insights on evaluating venture-backability, managing investor expectations, and more
And much more.
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Stay ahead. Get all the news and insider exclusives delivered straight to your inbox.
Sign up for our newsletter The Bytes Line at: https://bricks-bytes.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/
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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmNbunUTIIQDzbJgGJt9_Zg
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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 - Intro To Our Sponsors
02:30 - Intro To Yaniv, Aaron & GS Futures
15:12 - Tech As A 'Vitamin' Vs Tech As A 'Painkiller'
22:50 - Green & Red Flags On Founders For Investors
32:00 - VC's Perspective On Robotics Startups
40:50 - Why Corporate Venture Capital Investor V/s Venture Investors
59:10 - How Startups Can Get Venture-backed
01:04:00 - Impact of Liquidity For VCs
01:08:18 - Vision of GS Futures
01:09:47 - Outro
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#podcast #construction #constructionindustry #bricksandbytes #startups #architecture #design #civilengineering #engineering #constructiontechnology #engineer #architect #civilengineer #concrete #podcaster #podcasting #entrepreneur #podcasts #podcastlife #startups #entrepreneurship
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Bricks & Bytes
Design Democracy: Tech Platform Signals New Era in Home Design
Stand in stunned silence and admire the new dream timber-clad conservatory YOU just designed - with sleek modern finishes, climbing bougainvillea, and cascading natural light - all done on a laptop, without any architectural knowledge.
Join us for another mind-blowing Bricks & Byte episode as we sit down with Mark Hood - Head Architect at Resi and transport into the future of home architecture. Listen to Mark as he reveals advanced 3D modelling tools that allow homeowners to design their home extensions – without any experience or knowledge. This is next-gen architecture that simplifies building process and begins a new chapter in home design.
Key Takeaways:
Discover the power to design your dream home extension with ease
Learn how Resi streamlines the entire process, saving you time and stress
Understand the future of sustainable home design and how to be part of it
Explore how Resi takes the guesswork out of costs and timelines
Find out how tech puts you in control
And more.
--------------------------------
Stay ahead. Get all the news and insider exclusives delivered straight to your inbox.
Sign up for our newsletter The Bytes Line at: https://bricks-bytes.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bricksbytespod
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmNbunUTIIQDzbJgGJt9_Zg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/
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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
—----------------------------------
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:
(00:00:00-00:02:37) Intro
(00:02:37-00:11:35) About Resi
(00:11:35-00:20:31) About Product Development
(00:20:31-00:30:25) Understanding Retro Fitting
(00:30:25-00:43:23) Process For Developing Products
(00:43:23-00:48:40) Plans For Raising Money In Future
(00:48:40-00:52:10) Work Culture at Resi
(00:52:10-00:53:29) Outro
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Bricks & Bytes
13% Profit at Risk? Kroo's Solution for Construction's Cash Flow Chaos
"Data silos are real, right?" That's how our conversation started with Kroo, and it perfectly captures the challenge they're tackling in construction.
Recently we were invited to the BOOST cohort from Suffolk Technologies, where we had a chance to interview Barry and Jonathan, Kroo's co-founders, and we learned about their modern data management approach and how it can help construction companies.
Tune in to find out about:
How Kroo is unifying data from different platforms like project management, ERP, and scheduling software.
Why 80-90% of the industry is still struggling with basic data management.
How Kroo is helping companies forecast cash flow and manage project costs.
Why a data-driven approach is essential for efficiency and growth in the construction sector.
read more
Bricks & Bytes
Alternative Materials and Affordable Homes. Touching Net Zero | Paul Richards - Founder, GURBuild
Can homes be both energy-efficient and affordable? One visionary is changing the way we know homes.
In this episode, we sit down with industry trailblazer Paul Richards – the visionary founder of GURBuild Net Zero Energy Housing. Paul shares his remarkable journey and insights into revolutionising the housing sector.
Join us for a fascinating account of a man’s struggles against stubborn traditions of the construction industry. Paul has been a pioneer in introducing modern construction methods and promoting net-zero energy homes. Listen to Paul as he shares his inspiring story of challenges and triumphs against an environmentally unstable industry.
Learn about GURBuild hybrid construction system – a groundbreaking approach to building affordable and energy-efficient homes.
Tune in and learn:
How Paul found GURBuild Net Zero Energy Housing and brought Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) to home building
The importance of attracting younger generations to construction through improved site conditions and innovative practices
About homes that minimise energy consumption and the concept of operational zero carbon homes
How GURBuild's hybrid construction system is combining techniques from engineering, automotive, and aerospace industries
Paul's insights on the future of MMC and increased use of hybrid solutions, composites, panel systems, and custom designs
And a lot more
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Sign up for our newsletter at: https://bricksbytes.show
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bricksbytespod
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmNbunUTIIQDzbJgGJt9_Zg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/
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This episode is brought to you by Shft—the BIM partner you need to fill the gap in your digital skills and tackle your BIM needs, end-to-end.
Visit: https://maketheshft.digital
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Timestamps:
(00:00:00-00:02:30) Intro
(00:02:30-00:12:25) Paul's Journey
(00:12:25-00:18:20) Solutions to Labour Shortage In Construction
(00:18:20-00:29:30) Passive House Standard and n-ZEP
(00:29:30-00:33:30) Engineer's Thoughts on Construction
(00:33:30-00:39:00) View on MMC within Construction
(00:39:00-00:41:25) How Paul stays creatuve in his work
(00:41:25-00:42:16) Outro
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
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