"Pre-construction is actually just free construction because it's a lot of work up front that you don't often get paid for." - Chloe Smith, CEO of Mercator

In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we sat down with Chloe Smith, who shared her journey of building Mercator, a construction tech startup that's changing how contractors find early-stage project opportunities.

Tune in to discover:

✅ Why Mercator focuses only on Texas (for now) and how they plan to expand

✅ The power of hiring for talent over skill in a fast-growing startup

✅ How they built their own "accelerator" by carefully selecting operator-investors

✅ Their unique approach to product development through an intensive beta program with general contractors

Listen to the full episode on Spotify to learn how Mercator is helping contractors get involved in projects before the bidding phase even begins - as Chloe puts it, "It's almost like using a marriage registry as a dating app."

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00:00 Intro

Note: This episode is a Re-Release from Corporate Innovations.

Big tech investments without testing? At DPR Construction, that's a hard NO. Even with a $90M annual tech budget, they won't invest until they've tested solutions on actual projects.

In today's episode of Corporate Innovations from Bricks & Bytes, we had Atul Khanzode, CTO of DPR Construction, sharing invaluable insights from his 27+ years of experience in construction technology and innovation.

Tune in to learn about:

✅ Why DPR requires testing every solution before investing, after losing $500K on an untested startup

✅ Their unique "discipline innovation approach" focusing on 5 key areas: safety, quality, sustainability, supply chain, and productivity

✅ How they manage a $2-3M annual innovation budget separate from their main tech spending

✅ Why they partner with OpenAI, Microsoft, and Autodesk instead of building everything in-house

Listen now on Spotify to hear Atul's practical advice for construction tech startups and learn how one of America's largest general contractors approaches innovation

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00:00 Intro

"A £650,000 micro-factory can build 100 homes per year, while a traditional modular factory costing £100M+ struggles to deliver 200 homes annually. The math speaks for itself."

In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Bruce and Oliver from Facit Homes and Facit Technologies sharing their journey of revolutionizing home construction through digital fabrication and micro-factories. Their approach challenges traditional modular construction, showing how bringing manufacturing to the site can be more efficient and cost-effective.

Tune in to learn about: 

✅ Why micro-factories are winning over traditional modular factories 

✅ How Facit grew without external investment for 15+ years 

✅ The real cost comparison: £2,400 vs £120,000 per house in factory overhead 

✅ Why software alone can't solve construction's biggest challenges

Listen to the full episode to understand why the future of construction might be closer to the building site than you think. 

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Chapters

00:00 Intro

"I can't make that journey all the way to that facility and write up for you in a Notion board what it's like. You have to go to a construction site to really understand how busy people are."

In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Emidio Piermarini, and we got to learn about the challenges of product management in construction tech, the importance of physical solutions for physical problems, and the value of embracing negative feedback... and many more!

Tune in to find out about:

✅ The journey from structural engineering to product management

✅ How Converge is revolutionizing precast concrete tracking

✅ The limitations of software-only solutions in construction

✅ The potential for performance-based contracts in construction tech

Listen to the full episode on Spotify to gain insights into the future of construction technology and the importance of bridging the gap between digital solutions and physical realities.

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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. 

Is the future of architectural design in the cloud? 🤔

In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, Stan from Rayon talks about revolutionizing 2D drafting for architects and interior designers.

He shares how cloud-based software is changing the game, making design tools more accessible and collaborative.

Tune in to find out about:

✅ Why 90% of buildings are still designed in 2D

✅ How cloud-based tools are disrupting traditional CAD software

✅ The power of product-led growth in design tech

✅ Why focusing on "fresh starters" is key to adoption

Listen to the full episode on Spotify to learn how Rayon is shaping the future of architectural design software.

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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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Chapters

00:00 Intro

"Follow the money to grow, follow your passion to build. While US construction tech startups have raised $30B, India's $1B investment is yielding better returns."

In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we did our November Monthly Review where we reflected on an action-packed month of content creation and exciting future plans.

We even explored fascinating market dynamics, founder insights, and geographic opportunities in construction tech.

Tune in to find out about:

✅ Our successful launch of the AI in Construction Report and first steps into monetization

✅ Highlights from our Boston trip interviewing startups at Suffolk's boost cohort

✅ Behind the scenes of the upcoming Ediphi super series releasing in January

✅ Plans for New York and San Francisco tour in 2025, plus a potential India expansion

Listen to the full episode on Spotify to hear Owen, Martin, and Patric discuss their key takeaways from November, upcoming content plans, and Patric’s take on why founders often over-obsess with product and under-obsess with distribution.

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Chapters

00:00 End of Year Reflections

03:01 Cultural Differences in Business Mindset

05:50 The Impact of Travel on Business

08:47 Exploring AI in Construction

12:11 The Role of Community in Innovation

14:55 Challenges in Design and Construction Software

17:52 The Disconnect Between Traditional and Startup Worlds

21:00 The Influence of Trust in Business Relationships

24:07 Venture Capitalists in Government

26:59 The Future of Governance and Innovation

32:48 Understanding Argentina's Political Landscape

35:09 The Importance of Product Distribution

40:40 Marketing Challenges in Construction Tech

43:47 Trends in AEC Technology

44:29 Talent Acquisition in the AEC Sector

46:03 Investment Trends in Construction Tech

50:34 Cultural Insights: Christmas Traditions

57:33 Closing Thoughts and Future Plans

Note: This is a Re-Release of an episode that was originally released on BitBuilders.

In today's episode of BitBuilders, we had Michelle, VP of Strategy at Last Energy, sharing insights on micro modular nuclear power plants and their potential impact on clean energy.

Tune in to find out about:

✅ Why nuclear power is crucial for baseload energy and decarbonization

✅ How Last Energy is tackling cost and construction challenges

✅ The importance of modular design and standardization in nuclear projects

✅ Why Europe is a prime market for small nuclear reactors

Curious to learn more about the future of nuclear energy and its role in construction? Listen to the full episode 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

00:08:07 Challenges in Nuclear Energy Deployment

00:14:11 Market Dynamics and Customer Demand

00:19:54 Regulatory Environment and Project Development

00:25:58 Supply Chain Considerations in Nuclear Energy

00:38:09 Regulatory Framework and Supply Chain Benefits

00:45:23 Safety and Lifecycle Management in Nuclear

00:55:32 The Role of National Laboratories in Nuclear Development

01:02:33 Talent and Skills Development in Nuclear Energy

"Microsoft's secret weapon in construction tech? It's not what you think."

In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Ajoy Bhattacharya from Microsoft, and we got to learn about the tech giant's unexpected approach to innovation in construction, the power of digital identity on job sites, and why AI isn't just about generating content.

Tune in to find out about:

✅ Why Microsoft hired a construction industry veteran

✅ The surprising focus of Microsoft's construction tech strategy

✅ How a simple login solution boosted efficiency on job sites

✅ Microsoft's vision for AI in the AEC industry

Listen now on Spotify to discover how Microsoft is quietly revolutionizing construction technology, one login at a time.

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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. 

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

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Chapters:

00:00 Intro

Note: This is a Re-Release of an episode that was originally released on Groundbreakers.

Unicorn? Nearly. But who cares

In today's episode of Groundbreakers from Bricks and Bytes, we had Jeevan from OpenSpace, and we got to learn about building a successful construction tech startup, the importance of product simplicity, and how to scale effectively in a complex industry.

Tune in to find out about:

✅ Why focusing on mid-market clients can be more valuable than chasing big names

✅ The power of a simple, user-friendly product in driving adoption

✅ How OpenSpace's technology is reducing insurance claims in construction

✅ The importance of demonstrating quick time-to-value for customers

Listen to the full episode on Spotify to gain insights from one of construction tech's most innovative leaders.

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"We're making contracting safe for our industry across the entire project lifecycle." - Josh Levy, Co-founder & CEO of Document Crunch

In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we had Josh Levy & Trent Miskelly from Document Crunch. We learned about their journey in building a document intelligence platform for the construction industry, the five best practices for contract compliance, and how they're automating critical processes to reduce risk on construction projects.

Tune in to find out about:

✅ How Document Crunch is solving the $13 trillion industry's contract compliance challenges

✅ The evolution from document intelligence to workflow automation in construction

✅ Why understanding contracts is crucial for preventing claims and project overruns

✅ How Document Crunch is pricing their services based on "jobs to be done"

Listen to the full episode on Spotify to hear how Document Crunch is revolutionizing contract management in construction and helping companies achieve best practices across the project lifecycle.

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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

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