Inside the Mind of Europe's Largest VC Founder in Built-World | Gregory Dewerpe
Join us for an exclusive insider look at AO Venture Capital, Europe's largest built-world VC firm with direct access to $40 Billion in real estate.
In this episode, we sit down with AO’s founder Gregory Dewerpe, as he reveals the genesis of AO, their unique approach to investing in new construction technology, and the key factors that drive success in this space. If you're a startup, a venture capitalist, or a business owner – this episode is a must-listen.
Find out:
How AO Venture Capital is leading the way in funding innovative solutions for a more sustainable built environment
The unique investment approach that sets AO apart, and gives your startup a competitive edge
What key factors will determine your success in the built world technology sector, directly from a leading investor
How Dewerpe’s background in real estate and entrepreneurship shapes their investment strategy.
Ready to transform the built world? Don't miss this episode! Sign up for more inspiring stories and expert insights.
#AOVentureCapital #BuiltWorld #VC #Sustainability #Technology #Entrepreneurship
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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:
(00:00:00-00:02:17) Intro
(00:02:17-00:10:17) About A/O
(00:10:17-00:12:35) How To Raise Funds In The Beginning
(00:12:35-00:16:44) Key Lessons Leant While Building A/O
(00:16:44-00:20:47) Definition of Built World According To Gregory
(00:20:47-00:30:10) Opportunities In Built World
(00:30:10-00:32:50) Questions VCs Ask To Founders
(00:32:50-00:39:34) What Makes One Retrofit Company Stand Over Another
(00:39:34-00:44:53) Thoughts Behind Investing In SPAN
(00:44:53-00:47:25) Thoughts Behind Investing In ENTER
(00:47:25-00:56:26) Labor Shortage In Construction
(00:56:26-00:59:53) Profitability Of Startups In Construction
(00:59:53-01:06:54) Process Followed In A/O While Raising Funds
(01:06:54-01:09:14) Differences In Startup Founders in Europe vs US
(01:09:14-01:09:58) Outro
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Bricks & Bytes
Suffolk Boost Program, Super Series with Ediphi, AI Report & Construction Tech Funding - October’s Monthly Roundup
"50% of construction projects are over budget or late due to contract compliance issues."
In this month’s roundup episode, Martin & Owen discussed about their newly released AI report, which explores AI applications in construction document management. They interviewed five startups and Microsoft to gather insights for this report.
They discussed upcoming plans, including a trip to Boston to record episodes with Suffolk's Boost program startups.
Martin and Owen reflected on some notable episodes from October, including conversations with industry veterans like Amar from Autodesk and a discussion on why construction tech companies fail, using Flux as a case study.
They touched on the rapid growth of construction tech funding, now representing 0.8% of total VC funding, up from 0.2-0.3% pre-2021.
They also mentioned their robotics podcast, Bitbuilders, and an interesting episode about space construction with Lee Rosen from Think Orbital.
Go and check out the AI Report on our Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/bricks_bytes/shop/construction-tech-revolution-in-india-596700?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=productshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
Also, don’t forget to watch the full roundup episode here:
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Bricks & Bytes
The Truth Behind DeepSeek’s Impact on AEC | Alan Mosca on AI & Construction Tech
"Training an AI model's final run for $6M does not mean the entire model costs $6M"In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Alan Mosca, CTO and co-founder of nPlan, who shared fascinating insights about AI developments, construction tech, and the future of project planning.Tune in to find out about:✅ The truth behind DeepSeek's training costs and why media reporting missed the mark✅ How nPlan's Barry agent helps construction teams make better decisions through meeting notes, WhatsApp integration, and email connectivity✅ Why the future of software isn't SaaS - it's buying outcomes through agents that perform specific tasks✅ nPlan's game-changing "Schedule Studio" that can generate detailed project schedules in 45 minutesListen to the full episode to learn how AI is reshaping construction planning and why transparency, not blame, is key to better project outcomes.----Chapters00:00 Intro05:26 Introduction and Overview of Enplan07:12 DeepSeek and the Reality of AI Training Costs15:36 Open vs Closed Source Models in AI26:23 The Rise of Agents in AI and Construction31:23 Future of Startups: Agents vs Traditional Software36:01 The Evolution of AI and the Path to AGI44:01 Defining AGI and Its Implications45:26 Introduction to Nplan and Its Mission47:24 The Functionality of Barry: AI in Project Management49:27 Continuous Learning and Model Optimization53:23 Demonstrating the Value of Planning in Construction57:28 Customer Perspectives on AI in Project Management1:00:31 Product Development and Future Directions for Nplan1:11:39 Cultural Change in Construction Through AI
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Bricks & Bytes
Kojo's $275m Journey - How CEO Maria Davidson Built One Of AEC Tech's Most Exciting Businesses
Note : This is a re-release of an episode that was initially released at Groundbreakers."Nobody replied to our cold emails. So we started showing up at construction sites with pizza boxes - that worked."In today's episode, we had Maria Davidson, CEO of Kojo, share how she built a construction tech company now valued at $275M. A former VC with no construction background, Maria's story of building a procurement platform used by 500+ trade contractors offers valuable lessons for anyone trying to break into a traditional industry.Tune in to find out about:✅ Why being an industry outsider became her strength✅ How delivering pizzas led to their first customers✅ The metrics VCs actually care about at each funding stage✅ Managing hypergrowth from 0 to 125 employeesWant to learn how Maria turned rejection into a $275M company? Listen to the full episode
"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
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