#073 - Sarah Crawley - How Husband-Wife Duo Is Running A $1.7 Million Funded Construction Tech Company
In today’s episode of Bricks & Bytes, we have Sarah Crawley, Co-Founder of SymTerra
In this episode, we learn about the importance of networking, starting a tech business from scratch with just an idea, tips for raising funds for your startup, and much more!
Tune in to find out about:
The importance of establishing trust and strong relationships in the construction sector, where daily challenges are a norm.
The critical role of patience and respectful persistence in navigating the sales process in the construction industry.
How angel investors decide to fund startups, focusing on the importance of a good founding team, their story, and what makes their startup special.
If you enjoy today’s episode, leave us a comment. And don’t forget to subscribe to our channel!
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Sarah Crawley | Co-Founder of SymTerra
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Today’s Sponsor: beta – Construction and technology network platform
– connecting the tech industry with traditional construction partners.
Check www.the-beta.com
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Timestamps:
(00:00:00 - 00:08:35) - Intro
(00:08:35 - 00:12:15) - About Synterra
(00:12:15 - 00:15:06) - How to start a company from an idea
(00:15:06 - 00:20:56) - How to manage people to build tech as a Non-Tech Founder
(00:20:56 - 00:26:20) - Tips for someone looking to raise fund for their startup
(00:26:20 - 00:29:53) - Outro
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Bricks & Bytes
#083 - Digital Transformation or Digital Demise? Construction’s Struggle With Digitisation, Tips For Start-Ups Building In Construction Tech, The Gold-Rush For Data
In today’s episode of Bricks & Bytes, we have Res Orgut, a mentor at Formwork Labs.
In this episode, we learn about the significance of innovation, data-driven decision-making, and continuous learning in the construction industry.
Tune in to find out about:
How program management offices are often catalysts for digital transformation by improving processes, governance, and standardization
The importance of problem-solving, connecting solutions to real needs
The rise of the role of data analyst in the construction industry and what this actually means
The rise of the role of data analyst in the construction industry and what this actually means for improving performance through analytics
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Res Orgut | Mentor at Formwork Labs
Timestamps:
(00:00:00-00:02:28) Intro
(00:02:28-00:06:50) Role of Mentor at FormerLabs and Associate Director
(00:06:50-00:16:55) Biggest Challenge in AEC Startup
(00:16:55-00:19:30) LLMs in PMOs
(00:19:30-00:29:20) Use cases of AI and LLMs in Startup
(00:29:20-00:32:37) Success in Project Management
(00:32:37-00:32:37) Outro
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Bricks & Bytes
#080 - How Mentorships Are Shaping Construction Tech Success And The Best Mentorship Strategies If You’re In Construction - Elinor Moshe
In today’s episode of Bricks & Bytes, we have Elinor Moshe, Founder and Mentor at The Construction Coach
In this episode, we learn about the transformative power of mentoring, the importance of self-awareness, practical tips for personal growth, and much more!
Tune in to find out about:
The benefits of mentoring and how it can help you achieve success faster
Tips for self-reflection and listening to your inner voice
The problem of “Action Faking” - doing courses, reading books, listening to podcasts without implementation
Common challenges in construction, such as a mismatch of skills, interests, and burnout, and how to overcome them through self-awareness and introspection.
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Elinor Moshe | Founder and Mentor at The Construction Coach
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Timestamps:
(00:00:25-00:07:00) Intro
(00:07:00-00:13:10) Why Mentoring is Good
(00:13:10-00:21:42) The Process of Mentoring
(00:21:42-00:24:45) Tips for Those Considering Leaving Their Job
(00:24:45-00:27:45) Necessary Skills for Success in Construction Industry
(00:27:45-00:33:50) A Mental Exercise to Understand Yourself Better
(00:33:50-00:38:02) The Concept of Action Faking
(00:38:02-00:38:38) Outro
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Bricks & Bytes
#082 - "Most of it doesn't work" - The Truth Behind Construction Tech, Why The Construction Productivity Problem is BS and Why AutoDesk Can't Handle Feedback - With Darren Young
In today’s episode of Bricks & Bytes, we have Darren Young, Director of Construction Technology at UMC
In this episode, we learn the importance of personal relationships at work, developing a mindset to challenge conventional thinking, re-evaluating the construction industry's so-called productivity problem, and much more!
Tune in to find out about:
How personal relationships impact work and why some people you help will still dislike you
Why IT departments often frustrate their internal customers
How social media provides exposure but fails to build real professional networks
Why much construction tech fails to move the needle on efficiency
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Darren Young | Director of Construction Technology at UMC
Timestamps:
(00:00:00-00:08:45) Intro
(00:08:45-00:16:14) Role of Director of Construction Technology
(00:16:14-00:24:00) Controversial Topics
(00:24:00-00:27:20) The Impact of Social Media on Networking
(00:27:20-00:41:35) Why Construction Productivity is BS
(00:41:35-00:50:22) Cultivating a Mindset for Independent Thinking Beyond the Norm
(00:50:22-00:50:22) Outro
"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