Construction Technology Podcasts

Imagine generating structural engineering drawings 10 times faster. That's what Genia is doing, and it's changing the game for structural engineers. Recently we were invited to the BOOST cohort from Suffolk Technologies where we had a chance to interview Zhihao, co-founder and CEO of Genia, and we got to learn about how their generative design co-pilot is transforming the industry. Tune in to find out about: How Genia uses AI to generate structural drawings while ensuring accuracy and code compliance. Why Genia is reducing human errors and material use by 5-20% in designs. How they are building trust with engineers through transparent calculations and detailed analysis reports. How their technology is automating end-to-end processes that were once manual and time-consuming.

"We all have a plan until we get punched in the face" - A mindset that helped transform a 25-year-old directory business into a tech-enabled marketplace. In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we sat down with Jambu, CEO of Checkatrade, who shared how he's leading the UK's largest trade platform through its next evolution. From his early days at Uber to now running a company with 500+ employees, Jambu opened up about the realities of leadership and transformation. Tune in to find out about: ✅ Why Checkatrade is moving from an advertising model to a full-service marketplace ✅ How a tornado in West Sussex sparked the creation of a company that now serves millions ✅ Why the next wave of generational growth in trades is coming (and what's driving it) ✅ The truth about being a CEO - from 4:30 AM starts to the constant challenge of sustainable leadership Catch the full episode to hear Jambu's insights on the future of home improvement, dealing with competition, and why he believes trades will be one of the most lucrative careers in the coming years. ---- Chapters 00:00 Intro 05:10 Introduction to Checker Trade and Jambu's Role 10:09 Jambu's Journey to CEO 15:07 The Incumbent vs. Startup Mindset 20:04 The Future of Checker Trade and Technology Integration 25:07 Market Dynamics and Competition 30:06 Customer Experience and Go-To-Market Strategy 34:55 The Future of Trades and Opportunities 40:06 Advice for Tradespeople 48:11 The Multifaceted Role of a CEO 58:53 The Challenges and Responsibilities of Leadership

AI is transforming construction tech, but talent and distribution are the real game-changers. In this episode, we had Jenny Song from Navitas Capital, and we got to learn about their unique approach to investing in construction tech, the critical role of AI talent, and how they evaluate startups... and much more! Tune in to find out about: ✅ Navitas' focus on value-add investments and long-term relationships ✅ How AI is reshaping construction tech startups ✅ The importance of distribution and defensibility in AI solutions ✅ Why understanding the fragmented construction market is key ---------------------------------- Sign up to the #1 Newsletter In Construction Tech. Join over 1,000 like-minded Founders, Investors and Techies disrupting the way we build. Forever : https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/subscribe ---------------------------------- 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/ ---------------------------------- 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.  -------------------------- Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Navitas and their Focus on the Built Environment 08:13 Interest from Generalist Investors in Construction Tech 15:35 Investment Pace and Philosophy 22:05 Working with Founders and Communication Cadence 24:49 Geographic Focus and Investment Criteria 28:25 Evaluating Startups: Key Factors 33:35 Tech Trends: AI and Embodied AI 35:43 Investment in Document Crunch 42:31 Defensibility of AI Solutions 46:47 The Importance of Talent 51:04 Tech-Enabled Operators in Construction 55:56 Ideal Exits: Acquisitions and IPOs 59:57 Common Mistakes in Investing in Construction Tech

In this episode, we dive deep into Camion, a London-based startup that's revolutionizing the real estate industry by helping owners and investors electrify their portfolios at scale. With a recent €2.4 million pre-seed funding round, Camion is tackling the complex challenges of EV charging infrastructure and grid capacity constraints head-on. Join us as we explore how this innovative company is poised to shape the future of electrification in real estate and discuss the value of startup incubators and accelerators for early-stage founders. Show Notes: Camion's data-driven platform is designed to identify and equip electrification-ready properties, enabling real estate owners and investors to build out charging networks for their portfolios and tenants. Europe needs to invest a staggering €450-500 billion in its transmission and distribution grids to accommodate the rise of renewables and increased demand from electric vehicles. Camion is streamlining the complex relationships between landlords, renters, grid operators, hardware providers, and financiers to facilitate efficient deployment of EV charging infrastructure. The Camion team boasts diverse expertise, with backgrounds spanning Tesla, grid operations, and CBRE, positioning them well to address the multifaceted challenges in this space. Tailwinds for Camion's business include strong political will for electrification and projections that power demand will double by 2050. The hosts also discuss the value of startup incubators and accelerators, exploring when they can be beneficial for founders and when they might not offer the best deals. Tune in for valuable insights on the cutting-edge of real estate electrification and navigating the early stages of building a startup in the construction tech space. Chapter 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:45 Camion: Electrifying Real Estate 08:03 Increasing Property Value with EV Charging 10:48 Simplifying the Complex Process of EV Charging Infrastructure