#071 - Mauricio Tessi Weiss - How VCs Shape the Construction World
In today’s episode of Bricks & Bytes, we have Mauricio Tessi Weiss, Founding Partner at Zacua Ventures.
In this episode, we delve into the future of Venture Capital, exploring how VCs perceive investment failures, what they seek in pitches, and much more!
Tune in to find out about:
Where the construction industry fits in the world of venture capital investments
How to connect with VCs for your startup
What successful founders do right and wrong
Tips on getting in touch with VCs for your startup
If you enjoy today’s episode, leave us a comment. And don’t forget to subscribe to our channel!
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Mauricio Tessi Weiss | Founding Partner at Zacua Ventures.
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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 - 00:01:17) - Intro
(00:01:17 - 00:07:33) - How he started his career in Venture Capital
(00:07:33 - 00:10:00) - Where Construction stands in terms of Venture Capital Investments
(00:10:00 - 00:15:50) - The Future of Venture Capital
(00:15:50 - 00:22:32) - How VCs see failure in Investment
(00:22:32 - 00:25:14) - What VCs look for in your pitch
(00:25:14 - 00:33:10) - Key Traits and Mistakes Successful Founders make
(00:33:10 - 00:35:37) - Outro
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Bricks & Bytes
#023 - James Major - Sustainability in designing homes
On today's show we have James Major who is the CEO of HUBB.pro.
James is on a mission to build a platform for house builders, property developers, architects and contractors to build high quality, low carbon and net zero homes in the most efficient way possible.
In this episode, we talk about sustainability and creation of better quality homes.
If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review! This helps us get more amazing guests to give you guys the best and most informative content on technology in the built world.
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James Major | Founder of HUBB.pro
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Today's Sponsor: beta - Construction and technology network platform - connecting the tech industry with traditional partners.
Chek: www.the-beta.com
Timestamps:
00:00:00 --> 00:01:19 - Intro
00:01:19 --> 00:02:04 - Sponsor
00:02:04 --> 00:03:15 - History of James journey from consulting to Hubb Pro
00:03:15 --> 00:04:32 - Mindset of people in construction and technology industry
00:04:32 --> 00:05:54 - How was the process of transition for your?
00:05:54 --> 00:06:57 - How do you enforce keeping deadlines within your team?
00:06:57 --> 00:09:13 - Fractional roles in James’ business
00:09:13 --> 00:13:42 - The importance of having CPO role
00:13:42 --> 00:15:24 - Is having a CPO better than having a CTO?
00:15:24 --> 00:21:23 - Introducing Hubb Pro and explaining how it works
00:21:23 --> 00:21:52 - Is there any regulations that designers can follow to improve the sustainability of homes?
00:21:52 --> 00:25:38 - What do you think about market's stance on sustainability?
00:25:38 --> 00:28:58 - What are some of the biggest mistakes you’ve made whilst building Hubb Pro?
00:28:58 --> 00:32:09 - How much more expensive it is now to build something sustainable?
00:32:09 --> 00:33:12 - James’ productivity tip
00:33:12 --> 00:33:51 - What book could you recommend?
00:33:51 --> 00:35:10 - James' hobbies
00:35:10 --> 00:35:32 - More about James
00:35:32 --> 00:35:50 - Outro
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Bricks & Bytes
#065 - Ryan Hughes - Design Tools Adoption In AEC
In today’s episode of Bricks & Bytes, we have Ryan Hughes, R&D Team Lead and an AI Expert.
Learn about software adoption in construction, challenges implementing software across the AEC industry, knowledge graphs, computational design, and much more!
Tune in to find out about:
Adoption of software in construction
Mistakes that people make when integrating software
Thoughts on Design-as-you-speak software in Construction
Knowledge graphs, computational design, and many more
If you enjoy today’s episode, leave us a comment. And don’t forget to subscribe to our channel!
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Ryan Hughes | R&D Team Lead and AI Expert | ConTech
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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 - 08:05) - Intro
(08:05 - 12:10) - Software Adoption In Construction
(12:10 - 23:25) - How can someone start with adopting software for their company
(23:25 - 33:10) - Mistakes that people make while integrating software in their company
(33:10 - 41:20) - Thoughts on Design-as-you-speak software in Construction
(41:20 - 43:30) - Construction Scenario in Copenhagen
(43:30 - 44:16) - Outro
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Bricks & Bytes
#025 - Brian Nickel - BIM and manufacturing
On today's show we have Brian Nickel, founder and CEO at Allied BIM.
Brian has vast experience in the design sector as an architect, MEP designer and as Montana State University teacher teaching BIM.
His company Allied BIM enhances MEP, modular, and prefabrication construction firms by connecting design, fabrication, and field teams with easy to use workflow and allows tracking of the overall fabrication process.
In this episode, we talk about:
Building a startup
Design
Building Information Modelling
Future of fabrication
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Brian Nickel - CEO & Founder of Allied BIM
Adjunct Instruction of Montana State University
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Today's Sponsor: Beta Construction and technology network platform - connecting the tech industry with traditional partners.
Check www.the-beta.com
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Timestamps:
00:00:00 --> 00:01:30 - Intro
00:01:30 --> 00:02:13 - BETA sponsor
00:02:13 --> 00:05:01 - Brian’s history
00:05:01 --> 00:08:20 - Beginning of plumbing for the mechanical industry and the birth of Allied BIM
00:08:20 --> 00:10:25 - Introducing Allied BIM
00:10:25 --> 00:12:11 - Allied BIM’s target users
00:12:11 --> 00:14:55 - Brian’s advise for people embarking to the contech world
00:14:55 --> 00:16:33 - Understanding and partnering with competition within the industry
00:16:33 --> 00:18:20 - Brian’s thoughts on future of pre-fabrication in construction
00:18:20 --> 00:20:50 - Explaining LODs in the design process
00:20:50 --> 00:22:43 - Automation in the production process
00:22:43 --> 00:25:33 - Accessibility of the fabrication equipment
00:25:33 --> 00:27:04 - Teaching at Montana State University
00:27:04 --> 00:29:18 - Automation as a key to attract future students of the construction industry
00:29:18 --> 00:33:02 - Progress on digitalisation and automation
00:33:02 --> 00:34:26 - Is Allied BIM suited best for the US market only?
00:34:26 --> 00:37:47 - Brian’s view on how to run a business
00:37:47 --> 00:39:20 - Book recommendation
00:39:20 --> 00:44:49- Driving point in Brian’s start up journey
00:44:49 --> 00:45:32 - More about Brian
00:45:32--> 00:45:48 - Outro
How China Builds Nuclear Plants Cheaper, Construction's $860bn Problem, Robotics in Solar & Trump 2.0 Germany Effects
EXPOSED: How China is Building Nuclear Power for 90% Less While the West Falls Behind"Every level that you move up the construction chain, you're saving 50 bips of interest. From capital provider to owner to GC to sub to supplier to manufacturer rep - seven, eight steps, 4%. That's why a million-dollar generator costs owners $1.7 million." - Mike Powers, BuildVisionIn this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, our hosts dive into why China can build nuclear reactors at a fraction of Western costs while the US and Europe struggle with massive delays and budget overruns.Key topics include:Why China can build nuclear reactors for $2.7B while Western projects balloon to $40B+The efficiency secrets behind China's massive infrastructure projectsSmall Modular Reactors (SMRs) as a potential solution to nuclear's problemsGermany's trillion-dollar infrastructure investment planHow robotics is revolutionizing solar panel installationWhy industry events might be useful for startups but painful for everyone else"Nuclear is a cash machine when you operate it, but it ruins you when you build it, when you have to maintain it, when you have to repair it, and it completely ruins you once you have to decommission it." - Patric------------Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Nuclear Energy and Global Context06:06 Cost Disparities in Nuclear Energy Projects12:02 China's Nuclear Ambitions and Infrastructure Efficiency19:54 Understanding the Economics of Nuclear Energy31:46 The Future of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)36:31 Energy Independence and Nuclear Power39:44 Germany's Political Landscape and Infrastructure Spending48:55 AI in Construction: Ownership of Workflows54:23 Streamlining Construction Financing and Working Capital01:08:52 Market Dynamics and Demand Aggregation01:10:46 Introduction of James Emerick and Cosmic Robotics01:11:52 Innovations in Construction Robotics01:14:42 Expanding Robotics Applications Beyond Solar01:18:05 Global Competition in Robotics and Solar Installation01:19:50 Future Projections for Solar Demand01:21:24 Business Models in Robotics01:23:10 Path to Becoming a Robotics Engineer01:24:20 The Role of Events in Networking and Business01:31:52 Event Experiences and Startup Strategies
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
Construction Crash Coming - Our NEW Host, US Economy Contracts 0.3%, Trump Tariffs Hit Construction, Autodesk vs Procore Battle, AI, Biggest Construction Tech Failures
Is Construction Headed for a Slowdown, or a Full-Blown Crash?
This week on Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, things get spicy.We dig into the 0.3% drop in US GDP—and why it might just be the beginning for the construction sector. But tariffs and rate hikes are only half the story. The real drama? AI hype cycles, Autodesk vs. Procore, and why most “AI for construction” startups are just faucets with no bathtub.
Inside this episode:Why the US economy is wobbling—and how it's already hitting constructionThe real reason projects are stalling (hint: it’s not just input costs)The “bathtub vs. faucet” theory of AI—and how it exposes weak GTM strategiesAutodesk: overpriced legacy? Or sleeping giant ready to crush Procore?The top 20 construction tech failures—modular startups dominate the list
Plus:What BuildingConnected could have become (and why Autodesk isn’t using it)Why not having pricing certainty is killing dealsThe Katerra excuse that made everyone on the show wince
Key Quote:
"You're not solving the problem. You're just identifying the problem for someone else to win." - Dustin DeVan
If you’re in AEC and want to see the next wave coming before it hits... this one’s required listening.
------Chapters00:00 Intro01:35 Introduction and Welcome02:43 US Economy Contraction and Recession Concerns08:38 Impact of Tariffs on Construction Costs13:37 Short-term vs Long-term Economic Perspectives19:40 Global Supply Chain and Trade Dynamics25:34 AI's Role in Construction and Economic Resilience31:35 Business Strategies in a Volatile Market38:25 Innovative Content Formats in AI and Supply Chains40:06 The Role of AI in Construction Economics42:57 AI as a Commodity: The Bathtub Metaphor49:26 Disrupting the Authoring Space: Challenges and Opportunities56:44 Investing in Autodesk: A Critical Analysis01:11:11 Procore's Challenges and Market Dynamics01:13:44 Marketing Strategies in Construction Tech01:15:55 Potential Disruptors: Google and Microsoft01:20:15 Mergers and Acquisitions in Construction Tech01:21:47 Top Construction Tech Failures: A Game01:27:00 Lessons from Construction Tech Failures
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
VCs Are NOT Always The Answer - Bootstrapping Benefits & Sustainable Growth from Funding Experts
"Venture capital in PropTech increased 82X from $200M to $15B in just 15 years - but is VC money right for construction tech founders right now?"In today's episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we got to learn about J.P. Bowgen's journey from AlphaSites to Macy's corporate innovation team to becoming a partner at Camber Creek.We got to learn about how Camber Creek de-risks investments by testing startups with their 300+ real estate and construction LP network before investing.Also, we learned about J.P.'s hot take that PropTech and ConTech might not actually be mature enough for venture capital money right now - with only 1 in 4 companies spending more than 1% of revenue on digitization.Tune in to find out about: ✅ How Camber Creek operates as an "outsourced R&D department" for real estate companies ✅ Why construction tech is 5-7 years behind PropTech but might soon leapfrog it ✅ The shift in ConTech companies selling upstream to owners instead of just GCs ✅ The importance of personal brand building for VCsListen now on Spotify to hear the full conversation with J.P. Bowgen.-----------Chapters00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates01:10 Journey into Venture Capital05:30 Transition from Macy's to Camber Creek14:51 Establishing a Presence in Europe16:23 Camber Creek's Investment Thesis and Origins18:29 The Digital Transformation of Real Estate19:55 De-risking Investments through Strategic Engagement21:21 The Role of Strategic Investors in Venture Capital23:41 Navigating the Landscape of Venture Capital26:26 The Importance of Media in Deal Flow30:29 Building a Personal Brand in Venture Capital33:41 Opportunistic Investing in PropTech and Construction Tech37:30 The Shift in Technology Adoption in Construction39:36 Debunking Misconceptions about Venture Capital
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
US VC Returns Underperform Globally - Market Saturation & Hidden Opportunities from Construction Unicorns
"The US VC market is the worst performing of all VC markets across the world in terms of financial performance." In today's episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we got to learn about BuildOps securing $127 million in Series C funding and achieving unicorn status with a $1B valuation.We also explored the structural differences between US and European contractor software markets, where European contractors are typically smaller and 5-10 years behind in software adoption compared to their US counterparts.Additionally, we gained insight into how fund size impacts investment strategy, with smaller VC funds avoiding obvious competitive spaces that larger funds eagerly pursue.Tune in to find out about:✅ Why BuildOps and Service Titan succeed with modular software for contractors✅ How SaaS business models justify higher valuations than traditional services✅ Why European construction software is following a roll-up strategy✅ The difference between investing in "the business" versus "the share price"------Chapters00:00 Introduction and Recent Developments04:50 BuildOps: A New Unicorn in Construction Tech19:06 Comparing BuildOps and ServiceTitan27:49 Valuation Insights and Market Dynamics
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