Why 70% BIM Adoption Is A Lie (And What Procore Just Did About It) - PROCORE's BIM STRATEGY
Most construction companies think they're using BIM. They're not. And it's costing them 20% on every project.In this episode of Bricks & Bytes, Owen sits down with Dave from Procore's BIM team and Tore Hovland, founder of NovaRender (recently acquired by Procore), to unpack what's really happening in the BIM space and why two major acquisitions just changed the game.Key topics discussed:Why BIM adoption is actually 20-30%, not the 70% everyone claimsThe hidden 2GB browser limit killing your ability to view large modelsHow building from 2D vs 3D vs full BIM changes cost overruns from 20% to 5%Why Procore spent millions acquiring NovaRender and Flypaper simultaneouslyThe streaming technology that lets you open 50-mile infrastructure projects in secondsWhat 80% of acquisitions fail and why culture matters more than techThe future where construction happens without drawings"Where we're going, there are no drawings. You could actually build off the model. It could actually be the permit that goes out." - Dave, ProcoreIf you've ever wondered why your BIM models won't load, why projects keep going over budget, or what the hell is actually happening with construction technology right now, this episode breaks it all down.---------------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.ioChapters00:00 Intro02:00 Introduction to Procore and NovaRender Acquisition04:02 Winning BIM: Strategies and Challenges06:52 The Significance of NovaRender in BIM12:04 The Vision Behind NovaRender's Creation15:42 The Decision to Partner with Procore16:57 Acquisition of Flypaper: Enhancing BIM Solutions19:51 BIM Adoption Trends and Statistics23:47 The Impact of BIM on Project Costs28:49 Procore's Growth Strategy in Europe30:26 The Importance of Data Ownership in BIM37:41 Dave's Background and Its Influence on Procore39:16 The Evolution of BIM and Sustainable Construction41:04 User-Centric Design in Construction Technology42:45 Streamlining BIM Models for Field Use45:40 Defining Success in BIM Adoption50:20 Lessons from Founding NoRender54:17 The Acquisition Process: Insights and Experiences01:03:53 Future Predictions for BIM and Construction Technology
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Bricks & Bytes
The €7bn CEO Breaking Every Rule In Construction
Jan Hendrik Goldbeck CEO of GOLDBECK grew his family construction business from €750M to €7B by treating buildings like LEGO.In this episode of Bricks & Bytes, we sit down with Hendrik Goldbeck, CEO of Goldbeck Group, who reveals how 60 years of stubborn innovation and perfect timing transformed a small German metalworking shop into Europe's construction powerhouse.FULL DOCUMENTARY COMING FRIDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER, SUBSCRIBE TO @BBBeyond TO STAY UPDATED: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQPQc0blM3kKey topics discussed:- The 1969 origin story: Why his father rejected "we've always done it this way" thinking- German reunification luck: How overnight demand boom accelerated their product approach- The "war of all against all": Why traditional construction's sequential trade-by-trade model fails- From steel elements to turnkey buildings: 60 years of step-by-step evolution- Decentralization strategy: Getting close to architects and engineers in early design stages- Why construction tech "Tesla" startups keep failing (spoiler: it's still physical construction)- The asset-heavy advantage: Why Katerra failed and patient money wins- Cultural integration challenges: Germans want execution, French want endless discussion- AI's future impact: Prompt-driven design cutting pre-construction from months to weeks- "Nature positive buildings" moonshot: Carbon neutral concrete without green premiums- US expansion plans and the importance of local JV partnerships- Leadership philosophy: Open hierarchies vs flat hierarchies"You cannot come from outside and say 'I'm going to be the Tesla of construction.' It's still construction with all the physical restraints. Each project is still individual even with a product approach." - HendrikFrom surviving the 2008 financial crisis by going anti-cyclical to planning voice-activated building configurators, discover how this stubborn German family business is industrializing construction one LEGO brick at a time.Check out our interview with Goldbeck's tech team here: https://youtu.be/vDNUsgVmZHgEnjoy this? Want further exclusive insights in AEC tech? Sign up to our newsletter: https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/----------------Chapters0:00 - Introduction & Company Growth Story1:04 - Goldbeck Origins & Industrialization Vision6:02 - German Reunification & Market Transformation9:20 - Strategic Growth & International Expansion14:37 - The Goldbeck System & Product Approach19:05 - Industry Resistance & Competitive Landscape22:09 - Growth Philosophy & Strategic Priorities27:35 - Future of Construction & Technology34:06 - Sustainability & Nature Positive Buildings38:02 - Leadership & Company Culture42:01 - Customer Value & Business Model44:13 - Startup Ecosystem & Innovation45:43 - Global Expansion Strategy
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Bricks & Bytes
How 570 Software Tools Power Europe's Most Innovative Construction Company
This German construction giant cracked the code on building 500 projects per year with LEGO-like precision.In this episode of Bricks & Bytes, we sit down with Fabian, Managing Director of Goldbeck Technologies, who reveals how this family-owned company complete rewrote the rules of construction by treating buildings like configurable products rather than one-off projects.FULL DOCUMENTARY COMING FRIDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER, SUBSCRIBE TO @BBBeyond TO STAY UPDATED https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQPQc0blM3kKey topics discussed:- Why traditional construction is broken (fragmented design with no shared responsibility)- The "LEGO approach": How standardized building systems enable mass customization- 480-person R&D department developing everything from AI chatbots to augmented reality quality control- Building Operating System: Creating live digital twins for operations and maintenance- Why most construction startups fail by trying to "make horses better instead of building cars"- From 3,700 to 14,000 employees: The 40-year journey to their "hockey stick" moment- 570+ software solutions and the challenge of managing technological complexity- AI as an interface layer: Using agents to orchestrate multiple tools seamlessly- Decarbonizing concrete and steel: Already 35% below market average carbon footprint- The configurator vs. client choice dilemma: "We give options, not open-ended questions""We try to sell a product rather than an individual project. It's like configuring your car - you can decide comfort steering wheel or sporty steering wheel, small engine or racing engine. We make sure everything fits together." - FabianFrom factories producing prefabricated elements to augmented reality construction management, discover how Goldbeck industrialized an industry that most consider "un-industrializable."Check out our interview with GOLDBECK's CEO, Jan Hendrik: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-zrwzhId0cEnjoy this? Want further exclusive insights in AEC tech? Sign up to our newsletter: https://bricksbytes.beehiiv.com/Chapters0:00 - Fabian's Role at Goldbeck Technologies0:49 - Company Culture & Technology Foundation1:12 - Building 500 Buildings Per Year with Technology2:31 - Goldbeck Technologies: 480 People R&D Division3:50 - Balancing Future Innovation vs Immediate Profits5:52 - Building Operating System & Digital Twin Development6:53 - Most Exciting Innovation Areas & Nature Positive Buildings8:40 - Traditional Construction Problems vs Goldbeck's Solution9:58 - Product Approach & Early Client Engagement Strategy12:05 - Finding Clients Early: Regional Sales & AI Tools13:43 - In-House Design Teams vs External Consultants14:46 - Product-Specific BIM Implementation15:31 - Client Education & Overcoming Market Resistance18:15 - Decision-Making Process: Car Configurator Analogy19:13 - Lean Construction vs Managing Just-in-Time Delivery20:39 - Why Few Companies Use This Approach (40-Year Development)22:11 - Complex Business Model Requirements22:59 - Technology Success Stories: Building Automation24:19 - Augmented Reality for Quality Control25:54 - Software Development Team (120-140 People)27:03 - ID Solution Process: Build vs Buy Decisions28:00 - AI Department & Implementation Strategy29:36 - Internal AI Chatbot & Knowledge Management30:43 - AI in Design: Configurators vs AI Designers31:46 - Managing 570+ Software Solutions33:00 - AI as Interface for Multiple Tools34:50 - Robots in Factories vs Construction Sites35:44 - Innovation Scouting & Stage-Gate Process36:52 - Venture Capital Fund Partnerships38:56 - Direct Startup Investments & Focus Areas40:41 - Sustainability & Carbon Neutral Goals42:19 - Timber vs Concrete: Cost-Benefit Analysis44:00 - 35% Carbon Reduction in Concrete Elements45:04 - Success Metrics & Company Culture47:10 - Goldbäcker Family Culture & Work Environment
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Bricks & Bytes
From Arduino to Innovation: How Massimo Democratized Hardware Prototyping - BitBuilders - Building hard things
Note : This is a re-release of an episode that was originally uploaded to BitBuilders."I've made every single mistake that exists in running startups." - Massimo Banzi, co-founder of ArduinoOur host, Gabriele Tinelli - investor at Foundamental, Aerospace Engineer and hardware nerd - sits down with Massimo Banzi, the co-creator of Arduino. They discuss the evolution of open-source hardware, the challenges of building a global brand, and the future of edge computing in robotics. Banzi shares insights on making technology accessible to beginners while still serving professionals. He emphasizes the importance of hands-on learning in tech education and reflects on the changing landscape of open-source projects. ----Chapters00:00 Intro04:30 Introduction to Interaction Design and Massimo Banzi09:44 The Birth of Arduino: A Prototyping Revolution19:35 Arduino's Evolution: From Hobbyist to Professional Tool29:20 The Arduino Community and Open Source Philosophy36:27 Future Trends: Arduino and AI Integration39:50 Integrating Arduino into Systems41:24 The Power of Edge Computing42:40 Advancements in Computer Vision for :04 The Role of AI in Robotics47:32 Lessons from Startup Experiences52:53 The Evolution of Open Source54:43 Encouraging Young Innovators1:01:16 Current Projects and Future Aspirations1:05:41 Advice for Educators and Future Generations
Building Materials Marketplace vs Cloud Manufacturing: What Works Where?
Building my own house made me realize how broken construction supply chains are - Saudi BRKZ founder's story sounds familiar?In today's episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we explored how Saudi BRKZ secured $17M Series A funding for their construction materials marketplace, bringing their total raise to $22.5M in just two years.We discussed how emerging markets like Saudi Arabia present unique opportunities for construction tech marketplaces that wouldn't work in Western markets, due to their concentrated demand and fragmented supply.We also got fascinating insights from Patric on why having 1,100 suppliers might not be the most efficient strategy for a construction materials marketplace, and why the "cloud manufacturer" model could be more effective.Tune in to learn about:✅ Why Saudi Arabia's construction tech scene is heating up✅ The difference between managed marketplaces and cloud manufacturers✅ How venture debt can be smartly used in profitable marketplace models✅ Why expanding to 40 cities quickly might raise questions for investorsListen to the full episode on Spotify to hear our deep dive into construction tech marketplaces and emerging market opportunities.----------------Chapters00:00 Introduction and Personal Insights01:55 Exploring Construction Tech Opportunities05:01 Understanding Bricks and Its Business Model09:56 Supply Chain Dynamics in Emerging Markets15:08 Funding Strategies and Market Expansion20:06 Debt Financing and Working Capital Management23:51 The Role of Debt in Business Growth24:18 Evaluating Investment Metrics25:10 Understanding Unit Economics26:31 Investment Opportunities in Saudi Arabia28:11 Optimism in the Construction Industry29:39 Navigating Customer Relationships in Startups30:00 The Challenge of Custom Solutions35:34 The Importance of Long-Term Relationships36:18 Technology Integration in Construction39:02 The Future of Construction Technology----------------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/—---------------------------------------------------------- #podcast #construction #constructionindustry #bricksandbytes #startups #architecture #design #civilengineering #engineering #constructiontechnology #engineer #architect #civilengineer #concrete #podcaster #podcasting #entrepreneur #podcasts #podcastlife #startups #entrepreneurship
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
Invoice reconciliation, AI automation, Material data infrastructure & CFO-driven adoption
From calling suppliers to schedule deliveries to manually typing data into Excel - this German startup secures €12.5M to fix construction's paper problem.In today's episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we had Henric Meinhardt from comstruct walk us through how they're digitizing the material delivery and invoice reconciliation process between suppliers and contractors.We got to learn about how they're using AI to process unstructured data from thousands of suppliers, replacing manual data entry with automated workflows.And interestingly, we heard an investor's perspective on why focusing on financial processes can be the best entry point into construction companies, starting with the CFO rather than on-site teams.Tune in to find out about:✅ How comstruct automates invoice matching and material tracking✅ Why large language models are making traditional EDI interfaces obsolete✅ Their unique go-to-market strategy targeting CFOs first✅ How they convinced World Cup winner Mario Götze to investListen to the full episode on Spotify to hear how comstruct is building the infrastructure for construction's digital future.-----------Chapters00:00 Introduction to Constrakt and Funding Success03:06 The Evolution of Construction Processes06:07 Agentic AI and Its Impact on Construction09:01 Future of Invoicing in Construction12:11 Optimizing Procurement Processes15:08 Supplier Engagement and Automation17:48 Competition and Market Landscape20:59 ESG Considerations in Construction24:07 International Expansion and Future Plans24:37 Technical Difficulties and Humor25:09 Go-to-Market Strategy Insights28:57 Understanding Customer Needs and ROI29:59 Investment and Growth Plans31:44 Navigating the Construction Tech Landscape32:38 Pre-Construction Processes and Challenges36:54 Prioritization in Business Strategy39:14 Engaging Investors in Unique Niches
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
Why European Construction Tech Could Outperform US Startups: A 5X Cost Advantage Revealed
In today's episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we learn about the story of an AEC start-up that raised $25M from a prestigious investor only to shut up shop shortly after announcing their round.We got insights into late-stage funding challenges in construction tech, with a seasoned investor highlighting why businesses struggle to raise Series B rounds when earlier rounds were overvalued.Also, we learned why Europe might offer better returns for construction tech investors than the US, despite the US potentially delivering bigger individual outcomes.Tune in to find out about:✅ Why listening to non-VC entrepreneurs is crucial for sustainable growth✅ The mechanics of construction tech startup valuations across funding rounds✅ How to navigate down rounds and recapitalization✅ Why European construction tech startups have a 4-5x cost advantage----Chapters00:00 Introduction and Light Banter01:49 Challenges in Construction Tech Funding04:27 Strategies for Raising Capital09:20 Profitability vs. Growth in Construction Tech12:56 Late Stage Funding Trends15:24 Avoiding Overvaluation in Funding Rounds17:28 Valuation Mechanics in Funding Rounds21:16 Equity Dynamics in Down Rounds23:06 Anecdotes from the Industry25:42 Reflections on Construction Tech Investing29:25 Comparative Analysis: Europe vs. US in Construction Tech33:00 Future of Point Solutions in Construction Tech
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
First Principles & Founder Success: Lessons from Scott Wolf's Levelset Journey
"20 years of experience or 1 year repeated 20 times?" - This profound question from Scott Wolfe (Levelset) captures why some founders achieve extraordinary success while others stay stagnant.
In today's episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we explored how compound experience and non-linear career paths shape successful founders in construction tech.
Tune in to learn about:
✅ How Scott Wolfe's diverse background (software, retail, law) led to Levelset's success
✅ Why non-linear experiences often lead to breakthrough innovations
✅ The truth about choosing the right capital structure for your business
✅ Why your customer should be your best source of capital
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Context Setting
01:08 Scott Wolf's Impactful Insights
02:15 The Concept of Compound Experience
04:17 Nonlinear vs. Linear Experiences
10:38 The Importance of Curiosity
12:20 Applying Compounded Knowledge
16:33 The Role of Blogging in Business Growth
25:50 Choosing the Right Capitalization Method
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