Story Of A Modular Construction Startup That Burned Through £10M in 15 Months - Chris Spiceley
What could go so wrong that a £10M modular construction startup collapsed in just 15 months?
In this episode, we had Chris Spiceley and we got to learn about his experience working at Modulous, a modular construction startup that went from raising £10M to liquidation in just 15 months.
Chris shares valuable insights on what went wrong, lessons learned, and advice for anyone building a construction tech startup.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ The challenges of delivering modular projects in the UK
✅ Key factors that contributed to Modulus' downfall
✅ The personal impact on employees when a startup fails
✅ Chris' thoughts on the future of industrialized construction
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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
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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 - 02:50) - Intro To Our Sponsors & Guest
(02:50 - 07:59) - How Chris Made A Transition Into Tech
(07:59 - 21:54) - About Industrialized Construction and MMCs In UK
(21:54 - 28:41) - Chris's experience working at Modulous
(28:41 - 31:54) - Premature Decision Made By Modulous To Expand In US
(31:54 - 43:00) - Challenges That Comes With Pilot Projects
(43:00 - 58:21) - Economics Of The Idea That Modulous Had
(58:21 - 01:07:00) - Key Lessons Learnt By Chris
(01:07:00 - 01:16:09) - Understanding Chris's Perspective On Offsite Manufacturing
(01:16:09 - 01:16:50) - Outro
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Bricks & Bytes
BBBC 18/05 - Big Tech Investing Billions in Renewable Energy, Quality Content in Construction Tech & Data Centers As The New Frontier in Energy Consumption
Discover how AI is transforming data centers and renewable energy, and how these changes are reshaping the construction industry.
This episode with Bhragan dives deep into the cutting-edge technologies and trends that are driving the future of construction tech.
From discussing the importance of quality over quantity in content creation to debating the significance of follower numbers, this conversation is packed with insights.
Join us as we also explore the impact of AI on energy consumption in data centers, the vital role of construction in tech adoption, and the challenges of implementing new technologies.
Takeaways
The rapid increase in data centers and AI technology is driving a significant need for renewable energy sources and optimized energy use.
Construction is essential for the integration of new technologies. Startups are addressing infrastructure bottlenecks by hiring project managers and civil engineers.
Quality content creation in the construction industry is vital for raising awareness and promoting technology solutions.
Owning distribution channels and building an audience through media can significantly lower customer acquisition costs and establish trust and credibility.
Don’t miss out on this essential podcast episode!
Chapter
00:00 Introduction and Overview
06:12 Construction's Role in Technology Adoption
08:59 Challenges of Implementing New Technology in Construction
15:22 The Power of Content Creation in Construction
21:41 Debating Follower Numbers vs. Engaged Audience
27:27 The Potential of Owning Distribution Channels
29:18 Monetization Strategies for Construction Tech Content
34:52 Challenges of Code Compliance for Sustainable Materials
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Bricks & Bytes
Automating 90% of Contract Reviews : Building AI to Solve a $13 Trillion Industry's Contract Challenges
"We're making contracting safe for our industry across the entire project lifecycle." - Josh Levy, Co-founder & CEO of Document Crunch
In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we had Josh Levy & Trent Miskelly from Document Crunch. We learned about their journey in building a document intelligence platform for the construction industry, the five best practices for contract compliance, and how they're automating critical processes to reduce risk on construction projects.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ How Document Crunch is solving the $13 trillion industry's contract compliance challenges
✅ The evolution from document intelligence to workflow automation in construction
✅ Why understanding contracts is crucial for preventing claims and project overruns
✅ How Document Crunch is pricing their services based on "jobs to be done"
Listen to the full episode on Spotify to hear how Document Crunch is revolutionizing contract management in construction and helping companies achieve best practices across the project lifecycle.
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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/
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Chapters
04:41 Introduction and Background of Document Crunch
11:26 What is Document Crunch and the Problem it Solves
17:59 Customer Onboarding and ROI of Document Crunch
21:52 Pricing Model of Document Crunch
32:50 Evolution of Document Crunch's Product and Features
37:16 Automating Compliance with Generative AI
45:17 Becoming the Category Leader in Compliance Automation
50:53 Continuous Improvement with AI Advancements
52:49 Customers Pulling More Product Out of Document Crunch
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Bricks & Bytes
"From Seed to $10M Series A" - BuildVision's Procurement Platform & Growth Journey
"We make money when our customers make money"In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we had Mike Powers and Ben Lyddane from BuildVision who shared their journey of raising a $10M Series A led by Norwest Ventures.Their platform helps contractors procure mechanical and electrical equipment more efficiently, saving 20-30% on costs while creating new revenue streams for general contractors.Tune in to find out about:✅ How BuildVision grew from processing $700M to over $1B in equipment transactions✅ Their three-tiered pricing model that aligns with customer success✅ How AI costs for processing documents dropped from thousands to just $1.40 monthly✅ Why focusing on critical path items like chillers and generators (not commodity products) creates maximum value-----Chapters00:00 Intro00:05:35 Introduction and Series A Announcement00:08:25 Build Vision Overview and Product Development00:11:40 AI Integration in Procurement Solutions00:14:41 Revenue Models and Customer Success00:17:29 Growth and Future Projections00:20:43 Challenges in the Construction Industry00:23:35 Funding and Investor Relations00:26:40 Technological Challenges and Solutions00:29:28 Market Position and Competition00:40:07 Navigating Risk in Construction00:43:35 Building Strategic Partnerships00:46:29 Outcomes Over Products00:49:35 Challenges in the Buy-Sell Dynamic00:51:25 Impact of Tariffs on Construction00:55:30 Future of International Operations00:56:25 The State of Construction Tech01:06:21 Voice-Enabled Workflows and Future Prospects01:08:41 Acquisition Strategies and Market Positioning
"AI Can't Handle Full Design Workflows!" - Automation Promises & Real-World Limitations from AEC Experts
"Is it possible to get from concept to fully constructible building designs in hours? "In today's episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we got to learn about Augmenta's $10 million seed funding for their AI-powered design platform that aims to automate electrical designs for buildings.We also learned about the ongoing debate between automated design platforms versus improved authoring tools, and which approach might ultimately capture more value in the MEP/S design space.Patric shared his investor's perspective that data infrastructure, authoring tools, and systems of record may be better investment targets than pure AI solutions, as they're likely to embed AI capabilities and control workflows long-term.Tune in to find out about:✅ The challenge of creating "fully constructible" designs through automation✅ Why minimum feature sets in building design software are exceptionally high✅ The reality that vectorial AI systems will always need human refinement✅ How the MEP design workflow might evolve with AI assistance------------Chapters00:00 Intro03:40 Augmenta's Seed Funding and Automation in Design07:02 Challenges of Constructible Designs11:35 The Importance of Minimum Feature Sets15:01 Marketing vs. Reality in Construction Tech18:19 Competition in the Automation Space20:16 Navigating the Complexities of MEP Design24:11 The Future of Automated Building Design30:11 The Role of AI in Design Automation34:26 The Intersection of Authoring Tools and Automation39:00 The Evolving Landscape of AI in Construction
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
"$65 Billion Wasted!" - How Twin Knowledge's AI Prevents Costly Construction Rework
"$65 billion worth of rework happened in the United States last year in construction. The expectation in the market is that construction projects run over budgets and timelines."In today's episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we got to learn about Twin Knowledge, an AI-powered platform that raised $3.7M to help construction and real estate stakeholders QA/QC building drawings before they hit the field.We discovered how the company is tackling the massive $65B rework problem by creating AI assistants that help query unstructured data across different silos.Also, we learned about the power of "white glove" implementation approaches in construction tech from JP Bowgen of Camber Creek.Tune in to find out about:✅ Why developers feel the most pain from drawing errors✅ How Twin Knowledge can help teams do "4-5X the work with half the team"✅ Why founder expertise matters more than ever in the AI boom✅ The importance of catching errors upstream before they become costly rework-------------Sign up to the #1 Newsletter In Construction Tech. Join over 1,000 like-minded Founders, Investors and Techies disrupting the way we build. Forever : https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/subscribe-------------LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bricksbytespodYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmNbunUTIIQDzbJgGJt9_ZgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/---------------Chapters00:00 Introduction to Twin Knowledge and AI in Construction02:53 Understanding the Accuracy and Utility of AI in Building Drawings06:14 The Impact of Rework in Construction and the Role of Twin Knowledge08:47 Evaluating the Value of Twin Knowledge in Construction Projects11:57 The Leadership Behind Twin Knowledge and Its Market Position14:56 The White Glove Approach in Technology Implementation17:57 The Future of Twin Knowledge and AI in Construction28:10 The Vision Behind Twin Knowledge30:01 Funding and Future Plans32:02 Competitive Landscape and Unique Positioning33:55 Understanding Cost Savings and Value Proposition36:09 Rework Challenges in Construction38:58 Incentives and Business Dynamics43:59 Final Thoughts on AI and Future Prospects
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
Germany's Fiscal Bazooka Ignites Europe - Construction Tech Opportunities & Capital Shifts from Global VC Perspective
"Germany's fiscal U-turn might be the drop that makes Europe's bucket overflow."In today's episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we got to learn about Camber Creek's unique investment approach with JP Bowgen - they raise funds from 300+ real estate companies to drive value for founders they back.We discussed Germany's recent "fiscal bazooka" - a massive €500 billion infrastructure fund alongside unlimited military spending, potentially kickstarting a new era of European optimism.Also, we learned about how building materials companies in Germany jumped 20% in share prices following this announcement, creating a flywheel effect for construction tech.Tune in to find out about:✅ Why JP predicts we'll see the first German construction tech unicorn in 4 years✅ How infrastructure investment creates opportunities for material innovation✅ The potential shift in global economic power dynamics✅ Why successful US startups are increasingly looking to expand into EuropeListen to the full conversation on Spotify.----------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/bricksbytespodYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmNbunUTIIQDzbJgGJt9_ZgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/—---------------------------Chapters00:00 Introduction to Camber Creek and JP Bowgen06:09 Germany's Fiscal U-Turn and Historical Context11:53 Implications of Germany's Infrastructure and Defense Spending17:58 The Impact on Construction Tech and Startups24:01 Future Prospects for Investment in Germany28:59 Exploring On-Site Robotics and Supply Chain Solutions31:12 The Importance of Energy Efficiency in Europe33:28 Infrastructure Investment and Its Impact on Housing36:32 The Future of Venture Capital in Europe40:34 The Shift of Founders from the US to Europe44:11 Economic Implications of US Isolationism49:57 Cultural and Economic Power Dynamics
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
Reneo’s €600M to Transform Real Estate, Nodes and Links $12m Scheduling Raise
"In Europe, you need your buildings to consume less energy because we don't have a lot of prime energy." - Patric on why Reneo's business model works beyond regulations.In today's episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we got to learn about Reneo's massive €600M funding round (with €45M in equity) to transform energy-inefficient buildings into greener assetsWe also explored Nodes and Links $12M Series B funding for their AI-powered scheduling management platform that enhances project delivery across construction and other industriesPlus, we gained valuable insight into how successful construction tech companies approach scheduling through three distinct models: full automation, analytics/visibility, and collaboration-focused solutions.Tune in to find out about:✅ How Reneo creates structural cost advantages through radical standardization✅ Why co-CEOs can work well with the right dynamic, especially during adversity✅ The critical difference between having a schedule versus the act of scheduling✅ Why one investor got excited seeing Salil Deshpande (Uncorrelated) backing Nodes and LinksListen to the full episode on Spotify to learn how these construction tech innovators are reshaping the industry.------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/bricksbytespodYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmNbunUTIIQDzbJgGJt9_ZgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/-----Chapters00:00 Introduction and Context01:10 Overview of Reneo and Its Business Model05:54 Reneo's Unique Approach to Real Estate Investment11:49 Investment Rationale and Market Dynamics17:52 Challenges and Opportunities in the Real Estate Sector24:05 Conclusion and Future Outlook25:40 Exploring Nodes and Links in Scheduling Technology30:01 Models of Scheduling: Automation, Visibility, and Collaboration36:02 The Future of Scheduling Software: Differentiation and Optimization39:59 Investment Insights: Evaluating Funding and Market Dynamics