UNCUT: Big Money. Big Tech. Rags To Riches - Construction's Digital Dawn | April Roundup w/ Owen & Martin
Ready for a no-holds-barred look at the high-stakes world of construction tech? Join Owen and Martin for their unfiltered April roundup.
We're turning the spotlight on million-dollar deals, underdog wins, robot bricklayers, and all the industry buzz. Plus, get the inside track with our new "Bricks, Bytes & Broadcast" format featuring investor Patric Hellerman.
Never miss a beat.
Key takeaways from 9 action-packed episodes:
Profit-first secrets from real estate heavyweight Shawn Van Dyke (and what's the big deal with the "toothpaste theory"?)
Master the fundraising game – learn the art of the pitch
East vs. West: Startup pitch strategies clash across continents
Could robots be building your next home? We explore the future of automation
Multi-billion pound digital transformation at Canary Wharf
Get inspired by leaders like Foster + Partners (and their in-house digital tools)
And a lot 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://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/
------------------------------
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
—---------
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:
(00:00:00-00:00:36) Our Sponsors
(00:00:36-00:03:25) Some Chit-Chat
(00:03:25-00:14:45) B&B Broadcast & Fav Episodes
(00:14:45-00:20:58) Robotics in Construction
(00:20:58-00:28:08) Interesting Insights From Episodes Released In April
(00:28:08-00:33:22) Plans For Future
read more
Bricks & Bytes
The $2 Billion Playbook For Driving Innovation | Todd Wynne - CIO, Rogers O Brien
Construction is not looking for innovation. It’s solutions like this they’re chasing with millions.
Join us for an exciting episode with Todd Wynne, Co-Founder of Project Atlas and the Chief Innovation Officer at Rogers O'Brien Construction – as he reveals the secrets behind success in construction innovation. Get a clear picture and see why some construction innovations work while most do not. This is a pivotal episode for innovators, venture capitalists, and construction business owners.
Join Wynne as he takes us through his entrepreneurial journey with Project Atlas, a mapping technology acquired by Bluebeam in 2018 after years of passion, perseverance and pitfalls. Discover what companies like Autodesk and Procore are looking for when considering acquisitions – and why innovation needs a framework to be successful in construction.
Key takeaways:
The "Better Way" philosophy: How to instil a mindset of continuous improvement within your organisation
The Optima framework: A strategic approach to innovating and implementing new technologies
Management strategies: Tactics for overcoming resistance and driving successful adoption
Insights into the construction tech landscape: Expert guidance on navigating the evolving market and identifying the right solutions for your business.
Lessons from a successful acquisition: Hear firsthand how Wynne's entrepreneurial journey with Project Atlas led to a major industry acquisition.
And much 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/
—---------------------------
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:
(00:00:00-00:02:15) Intro
(00:02:15-00:06:41) About Project Atlas
(00:06:41-00:08:03) How Todd Found His Co-Founder
(00:08:03-00:23:18) Defining Innovation And Steps To Implement It
(00:23:18-00:34:40) Todd's OPTIMA Framework
(00:34:40-00:44:05) Questions To Be Asked Before Making A Big Decision
(00:44:05-00:51:18) How To Tackle Cost While Implementing Technology In Construction
(00:51:18-00:54:40) Head Count vs Revenue
(00:54:40-01:05:27) Story Behind Project Atlas
(01:05:27-01:11:34) Keep Building vs Selling
(01:11:34-01:12:39) Outro
read more
Bricks & Bytes
Why Construction Is The New Hotbed Of Tech Innovation| Omar El-Ayat, General Partner at Euclid Ventures
Join us as Omar El-Ayat, general partner at Euclid Ventures, takes us on a journey into the exciting world of vertical SaaS - and explains its phenomenal impact on the construction industry. Discover how purpose-built software is tackling age-old challenges in construction, helping businesses overcome fragmentation and streamline complex processes.
Plus, hear why investing in founders with deep domain expertise is crucial, the importance of addressing critical "hair on fire" problems, and how new technologies like generative AI could influence the next wave of innovation.
Key Takeaways:
Understand how Vertical SaaS differs from horizontal software and why it's essential for the construction industry.
Learn the importance of domain expertise and industry connections in fostering successful Vertical SaaS ventures.
Discover the significance of addressing acute pain points ("hair on fire" problems) to drive technology adoption.
Tune in to uncover how Vertical SaaS is not just a trend but a transformative force in the construction industry!
--------------------------------------------
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/
---------------------------------------------
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:
(0:00 - 2:14) - Intro to Guest and Sponsor
(2:14 - 9:30) - Omar's journey as a Venture Investor
(9:30 - 14:15) - How To Spot Large Underserved Industry For Investment
(14:15 - 15:40) - What Is Vertical SaaS
(15:40 - 24:10) - Omar's Approach to Industry where He Is Not An Expert At
(24:10 - 32:27) - Recurring Challenges While Selling In Construction
(32:27 - 48:30) - Omar's Views on Go-To-Market In Construction
(48:30 - 56:20) - Importance of AI while choosing Startups In Vertical Startup
(56:20 - 58:36) - Importance of Profitability While Investing In Startups
(58:36 - 01:10:52) - Learnings Omar's Learned Building Euclid Ventures
(01:10:52 - 01:11:31) - Outro
read more
Bricks & Bytes
Selling To Owners Is Harder - Why Construction Tech Companies Should Target Developers Over Contractors To Make Money
"If you're a VP of Sales and things go wrong, you either failed or got a bad plan. But if you're a CRO and things go wrong, you probably shouldn't have taken the job."In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we had Mike Pettinella and we got to learn about scaling construction tech from zero to a $275M exit, the brutal realities of international expansion, and why targeting owners instead of contractors is the harder but smarter play... and many more!Tune in to find out about:✅ Why sales is only two things: volume and efficiency (and you can't train volume)✅ The real difference between selling to American vs British buyers✅ How Building Connected went from zero revenue to Autodesk acquisition✅ Why dedicated reality capture beats DIY solutions every timeMike's journey from forensic construction consulting to leading sales at unicorn startups reveals hard-won insights about building in the most relationship-driven industry on earth.Listen on Spotify now to hear the full conversation.-----------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---------------Chapters00:00 Intro02:49 Understanding Roles: CRO vs. VP of Sales03:58 Building Connected: The Journey to Acquisition06:05 Transitioning to Monetization: Challenges and Strategies07:55 Sales Strategies: From Inside Sales to Enterprise Deals11:49 Geographic Sales Dynamics: Where's the Business?14:03 Consulting to Sales: Skills and Strategies Transferred16:22 Managing Sales Volume: Efficiency and Technology19:14 Cultural Shift: Selling in EMEA vs. North America24:59 Expanding Markets: Product Adaptation is Key28:58 OnSight IQ: The Journey and Vision of a Startup33:34 Characteristics of Great Founders: Relentlessness and Empathy37:25 Cooking and Morning Routines38:38 Targeting Owners in Construction42:54 The Importance of Construction Data Ownership46:12 Strategies for Targeting Developers49:14 Reality Capture in Construction53:04 Best Practices for Reality Capture56:08 Future of Data Utilization in Construction58:45 Speeding Up Sales Cycles1:00:35 Managing Multiple Stakeholders1:02:09 Closing Big Deals1:04:04 Pricing Strategies in Construction Tech1:05:48 Mentoring in Sales1:09:02 The Story Behind the Art1:11:29 Exciting Product Developments
"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 $10 million seed funding for their AI-powered design platform that aims to automate electrical designs for buildings.We also learned about the ongoing debate between automated design platforms versus improved authoring tools, and which approach might ultimately capture more value in the MEP/S design space.Patric shared his investor's perspective that data infrastructure, authoring tools, and systems of record may be better investment targets than pure AI solutions, as they're likely to embed AI capabilities and control workflows long-term.Tune in to find out about:✅ The challenge of creating "fully constructible" designs through automation✅ Why minimum feature sets in building design software are exceptionally high✅ The reality that vectorial AI systems will always need human refinement✅ How the MEP design workflow might evolve with AI assistance------------Chapters00:00 Intro03:40 Augmenta's Seed Funding and Automation in Design07:02 Challenges of Constructible Designs11:35 The Importance of Minimum Feature Sets15:01 Marketing vs. Reality in Construction Tech18:19 Competition in the Automation Space20:16 Navigating the Complexities of MEP Design24:11 The Future of Automated Building Design30:11 The Role of AI in Design Automation34:26 The Intersection of Authoring Tools and Automation39:00 The Evolving Landscape of AI in Construction
read more
Bricks, Buck$ 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 $65B rework problem by creating AI assistants that help query unstructured data across different silos.Also, we learned about the power of "white glove" implementation approaches in construction tech from JP Bowgen of Camber Creek.Tune in to find out about:✅ Why developers feel the most pain from drawing errors✅ How Twin Knowledge can help teams do "4-5X the work with half the team"✅ Why founder expertise matters more than ever in the AI boom✅ The importance of catching errors upstream before they become costly rework-------------Sign up to the #1 Newsletter In Construction Tech. Join over 1,000 like-minded Founders, Investors and Techies disrupting the way we build. Forever : https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/subscribe-------------LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bricksbytespodYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmNbunUTIIQDzbJgGJt9_ZgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/---------------Chapters00:00 Introduction to Twin Knowledge and AI in Construction02:53 Understanding the Accuracy and Utility of AI in Building Drawings06:14 The Impact of Rework in Construction and the Role of Twin Knowledge08:47 Evaluating the Value of Twin Knowledge in Construction Projects11:57 The Leadership Behind Twin Knowledge and Its Market Position14:56 The White Glove Approach in Technology Implementation17:57 The Future of Twin Knowledge and AI in Construction28:10 The Vision Behind Twin Knowledge30:01 Funding and Future Plans32:02 Competitive Landscape and Unique Positioning33:55 Understanding Cost Savings and Value Proposition36:09 Rework Challenges in Construction38:58 Incentives and Business Dynamics43:59 Final Thoughts on AI and Future Prospects
read more
Bricks, Buck$ 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
read more
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
.avif)
