Bricks And Bytes

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 claims

• The hidden 2GB browser limit killing your ability to view large models

• How building from 2D vs 3D vs full BIM changes cost overruns from 20% to 5%

• Why Procore spent millions acquiring NovaRender and Flypaper simultaneously

• The streaming technology that lets you open 50-mile infrastructure projects in seconds

• What 80% of acquisitions fail and why culture matters more than tech

• The 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, Procore

If 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.

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Our Sponsor:

Archdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.com

BuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.io

Chapters

• 00:00 Intro
• 02:00 Introduction to Procore and NovaRender Acquisition
• 04:02 Winning BIM: Strategies and Challenges
• 06:52 The Significance of NovaRender in BIM
• 12:04 The Vision Behind NovaRender's Creation
• 15:42 The Decision to Partner with Procore
• 16:57 Acquisition of Flypaper: Enhancing BIM Solutions
• 19:51 BIM Adoption Trends and Statistics
• 23:47 The Impact of BIM on Project Costs
• 28:49 Procore's Growth Strategy in Europe
• 30:26 The Importance of Data Ownership in BIM
• 37:41 Dave's Background and Its Influence on Procore
• 39:16 The Evolution of BIM and Sustainable Construction
• 41:04 User-Centric Design in Construction Technology
• 42:45 Streamlining BIM Models for Field Use
• 45:40 Defining Success in BIM Adoption
• 50:20 Lessons from Founding NoRender
• 54:17 The Acquisition Process: Insights and Experiences
• 01:03:53 Future Predictions for BIM and Construction Technology

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=SQPQc0blM3k

Key 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." - Hendrik

From 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/vDNUsgVmZHg

Enjoy this? Want further exclusive insights in AEC tech? Sign up to our newsletter: https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/

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Chapters

0:00 - Introduction & Company Growth Story

1:04 - Goldbeck Origins & Industrialization Vision

6:02 - German Reunification & Market Transformation

9:20 - Strategic Growth & International Expansion

14:37 - The Goldbeck System & Product Approach

19:05 - Industry Resistance & Competitive Landscape

22:09 - Growth Philosophy & Strategic Priorities

27:35 - Future of Construction & Technology

34:06 - Sustainability & Nature Positive Buildings

38:02 - Leadership & Company Culture

42:01 - Customer Value & Business Model

44:13 - Startup Ecosystem & Innovation

45:43 - Global Expansion Strategy

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=SQPQc0blM3k

Key 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." - Fabian

From 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-zrwzhId0c

Enjoy this? Want further exclusive insights in AEC tech? Sign up to our newsletter: https://bricksbytes.beehiiv.com/

Chapters

0:00 - Fabian's Role at Goldbeck Technologies

0:49 - Company Culture & Technology Foundation

1:12 - Building 500 Buildings Per Year with Technology

2:31 - Goldbeck Technologies: 480 People R&D Division

3:50 - Balancing Future Innovation vs Immediate Profits

5:52 - Building Operating System & Digital Twin Development

6:53 - Most Exciting Innovation Areas & Nature Positive Buildings

8:40 - Traditional Construction Problems vs Goldbeck's Solution

9:58 - Product Approach & Early Client Engagement Strategy

12:05 - Finding Clients Early: Regional Sales & AI Tools

13:43 - In-House Design Teams vs External Consultants

14:46 - Product-Specific BIM Implementation

15:31 - Client Education & Overcoming Market Resistance

18:15 - Decision-Making Process: Car Configurator Analogy

19:13 - Lean Construction vs Managing Just-in-Time Delivery

20:39 - Why Few Companies Use This Approach (40-Year Development)

22:11 - Complex Business Model Requirements

22:59 - Technology Success Stories: Building Automation

24:19 - Augmented Reality for Quality Control

25:54 - Software Development Team (120-140 People)

27:03 - ID Solution Process: Build vs Buy Decisions

28:00 - AI Department & Implementation Strategy

29:36 - Internal AI Chatbot & Knowledge Management

30:43 - AI in Design: Configurators vs AI Designers

31:46 - Managing 570+ Software Solutions

33:00 - AI as Interface for Multiple Tools

34:50 - Robots in Factories vs Construction Sites

35:44 - Innovation Scouting & Stage-Gate Process

36:52 - Venture Capital Fund Partnerships

38:56 - Direct Startup Investments & Focus Areas

40:41 - Sustainability & Carbon Neutral Goals

42:19 - Timber vs Concrete: Cost-Benefit Analysis

44:00 - 35% Carbon Reduction in Concrete Elements

45:04 - Success Metrics & Company Culture

47:10 - Goldbäcker Family Culture & Work Environment

"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 time

Mike'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.

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Our Sponsor:

Archdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.com

BuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.io

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Chapters

00:00 Intro

02:49 Understanding Roles: CRO vs. VP of Sales

03:58 Building Connected: The Journey to Acquisition

06:05 Transitioning to Monetization: Challenges and Strategies

07:55 Sales Strategies: From Inside Sales to Enterprise Deals

11:49 Geographic Sales Dynamics: Where's the Business?

14:03 Consulting to Sales: Skills and Strategies Transferred

16:22 Managing Sales Volume: Efficiency and Technology

19:14 Cultural Shift: Selling in EMEA vs. North America

24:59 Expanding Markets: Product Adaptation is Key

28:58 OnSight IQ: The Journey and Vision of a Startup

33:34 Characteristics of Great Founders: Relentlessness and Empathy

37:25 Cooking and Morning Routines

38:38 Targeting Owners in Construction

42:54 The Importance of Construction Data Ownership

46:12 Strategies for Targeting Developers

49:14 Reality Capture in Construction

53:04 Best Practices for Reality Capture

56:08 Future of Data Utilization in Construction

58:45 Speeding Up Sales Cycles

1:00:35 Managing Multiple Stakeholders

1:02:09 Closing Big Deals

1:04:04 Pricing Strategies in Construction Tech

1:05:48 Mentoring in Sales

1:09:02 The Story Behind the Art

1:11:29 Exciting Product Developments

"Don't build shitty products for problems that don't exist."

This brutal advice from Maksim hit different. After spinning off from his first AEC tech company Kreo, he's now building PVFarm - solar design software that's pulling in $40K average revenue per customer.

In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we had Maksim and we got to learn about why distribution beats product in AEC, how he cracked the $150M solar design market, and why most startup marketing tactics fail in construction tech... and many more!

Tune in to find out about:

✅ Why relationship-based sales trump amazing products in AEC 

✅ The two pathways to selling enterprise software in construction

✅ Why LinkedIn outreach and email marketing don't work for AEC startups 

✅ How vertical integration beats horizontal CAD tools for specific building types

Listen now on Spotify to hear how Maksim went from building multiple failed products to finding product-market fit with a 40-hour learning curve software that customers love.

-----------

Our Sponsor:

Archdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.com

BuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.io

4M Analytics - Instant, reliable utility data you can trust and verify - https://www.4manalytics.com/

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Maxim and His Journey in AEC Tech

03:02 Lessons Learned from Creo: Market Understanding and Sales Strategies

05:58 The Relationship Between Sunbeam and PVFarm

09:12 Understanding Sunbeam's Focus and Product Offerings

11:57 The Importance of Collaboration in Design

14:54 Navigating the Competitive Landscape of Solar Design Software

17:57 Market Size and Growth Potential in Solar PV

20:56 Go-to-Market Strategies and Customer Engagement

23:58 Building Value Through Education and Relationships

26:55 Webinars as a Tool for Engagement and Education

33:28 The Value of Community Engagement

33:56 Marketing Strategies That Fail

36:00 Leveraging AI for Usability

39:26 Navigating the AI Landscape

41:14 Building Robust Tools in a Competitive Market

43:52 The Go-Kill Framework for Product Ideas

46:22 The Role of a CEO in a Tech Startup

51:53 Balancing Discipline and Flexibility in Teams

52:41 Successful Products in AEC

54:51 Building in Different Markets

57:12 The Importance of Community in Tech

59:20 Managing Remote Teams

01:01:08 The Intersection of Jiu-Jitsu and Business

"One construction project required 18 different software tools just for daily operations - and that's considered normal in our industry."

In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Michael and Danielle from Skanska and we got to learn about the brutal reality of construction tech adoption, why VCs keep backing the wrong startups, and how pricing models are completely broken for the industry... and many more!

Tune in to find out about:

✅ Why construction companies are drowning in software but starving for solutions

✅ The real reason progress tracking tools cost a dollar per square foot

✅ How AI hype is following the exact same pattern as the cloud revolution

✅ What startup founders get completely wrong about enterprise sales in construction

These insights from two innovation leaders at a global construction company will change how you think about construction tech.

Listen now on Spotify and discover why the industry needs fewer tools, not more.

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Our Sponsor:

Archdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.com

BuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.io

4M Analytics - Instant, reliable utility data you can trust and verify - https://www.4manalytics.com/

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Chapters

00:00 Intro

02:48 Introduction to Emerging Technologies in Construction

06:27 Navigating Software Complexity in Construction

12:45 Trends and Innovations in Construction Tech

15:06 Geographical Hubs of Innovation

16:48 Partnerships with Startups and Compliance Challenges

20:36 Adapting to Rapid Technological Changes

22:49 Success Stories from Pilot Programs

27:14 Defining Emerging Technology and KPIs

31:06 Sources and Filtering for New Technologies

33:38 The Role of AI in Construction Tech

36:06 The Hype Cycle of AI and Big Data

38:04 In-House Development and Proprietary Solutions

39:07 Advancements in Safety Technology

41:10 Challenges with Autonomous Robotics

43:01 Evaluating Technology: Frustrations and Complexities

48:11 Pricing Models and Industry Friction

53:50 Building Partnerships with Startups

57:42 Future of Construction Technology

1:02:31 Emerging Technologies in Construction

"The world has an enormous shortage of qualified project managers - to the tune of tens of millions of people."

In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we had Greg from Nodes & Links and we got to learn about how AI is solving construction's biggest workforce crisis, why American customers bite your hand off for ROI while Europeans think about it for budget cycles, and the physics behind project acceleration... and many more!

Tune in to find out about: 

✅ Why the construction industry needs a billion more project managers and how AI workers will fill the gap 

✅ How one customer saved $63,000 per scheduler per year using automation software

✅ The brutal reality of startup hiring - 0.3% acceptance rate from 15,000 CVs reviewed 

✅ Why the CEO's job is preventing failure while everyone else maximizes success

Listen now on Spotify to discover how construction scheduling is being revolutionized and what it means for the future of mega projects worldwide.

Our Sponsor:

Archdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.com

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Chapters

00:00 Intro

03:00 Introduction to Nodes and Links

05:43 Evolution of Project Management Software

08:54 The Role of AI in Construction

11:39 Challenges in Project Management

14:33 Customer Onboarding and Experience

17:36 Pricing and Business Model

20:35 Scaling Challenges in Tech

23:29 Identifying Customer Pain Points

34:14 Maximizing Productivity in Construction Projects

35:55 Client vs Contractor Needs in Software

37:07 Global Operations and Team Management

38:36 Building High-Performance Remote Teams

39:59 The CEO's Role in Preventing Failure

43:29 Insights from 'The Physics of Project Acceleration'

46:27 Recent Funding and Growth Strategies

49:53 Understanding Profitability in Construction Tech

52:01 Raising Capital in Construction Technology

54:56 Calculating Capital Needs for Growth

56:55 Vision for the Future of Project Management

59:02 Cultural Nuances in Global Construction Practices

99% of acquisition deals fail, but Britton Langdon beat the odds when a sneaky AI scraper accidentally announced his stealth startup to 30,000 people.

In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Britton Langdon and we got to learn about his journey from building M-Suite to launching BuildFactory, the hidden capacity problem in prefab shops, and why construction has more FOMO than any other industry... and many more!

Tune in to find out about:

✅ How he achieved 140% net retention at M-Suite before selling to Stanley Black & Decker

✅ Why every prefab shop has hidden capacity but nobody talks about it

✅ The marketplace approach to solving construction's supply and demand problem

✅ Why construction companies fear missing out more than any other industry

Listen now on Spotify to hear how Britton is building the Airbnb for offsite construction and democratizing fabrication work across North America.

Our Sponsor:

Archdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.com

Chapters

02:00 Welcome Back and New Beginnings

04:59 The Launch of BuildFactory

07:55 Building in Cedar Rapids: A Unique Perspective

11:03 Understanding M Suite: The Journey

13:43 The Decision to Sell: Timing and Strategy

16:48 Customer Retention and Business Growth

19:40 Pricing Models and Value Creation

22:44 Navigating Acquisition Offers

25:46 Diligence and Compliance in Acquisitions

28:38 Lessons Learned for Future Ventures

33:52 Exploring BeamFabField and Its Limitations

36:25 Introduction to Build Factory and Its Ecosystem

40:31 Addressing Supply and Demand in Prefabrication

44:20 The Role of Prefabrication in Construction

48:28 Building a Marketplace for Prefabrication

53:10 Challenges and Strategies in Marketplace Development

59:15 The Future of Build Factory and Market Trends

"We acquired a robotics company that nobody knows about and robot costs just crashed from $100,000 to $15,000."

In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we had Matt Daly, CMO of DroneDeploy, and we got to learn about the hidden robotics revolution happening in construction, why most startups are choosing the wrong funding path, and how AI agents with "a million eyeballs" are about to transform job sites... and many more!

Tune in to find out about:

✅ How ground robots went from $100K to $15K and why this changes everything 

✅ Why 60% of DroneDeploy's new customers come from word of mouth 

✅ The biggest mistake early-stage construction tech founders make with funding 

✅ How multimodal AI models are replacing human-powered data analysis

Listen now on Spotify to discover why Matt believes "this is such a phenomenal time to be building products in reality capture" and what's coming this fall that will deliver answers, not just mountains of photos.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

03:24 Introduction and Overview of DroneDeploy

06:20 The Role of Robotics and AI in Construction

09:17 Merging for Market Consolidation

12:07 The Future of Reality Capture Solutions

15:19 Vision for Automated Data Capture

18:18 Challenges in Robotics and Automation

21:02 Cost Dynamics in Ground Robotics

24:10 The Impact of Major Tech Companies

27:02 Understanding Customer Personas

30:00 Visibility and Data Sharing Among Stakeholders

33:07 Customization of Solutions for Different Trades

35:56 Lessons Learned in Business Growth

40:01 Mastering Talent Acquisition

47:07 Navigating Capital Acquisition

53:59 Effective Resource Allocation

01:00:18 Marketing Strategies and Customer Acquisition

01:03:26 The Evolution of Reality Capture with AI

01:06:17 Pricing Models in Construction Software

"Hardware is hard" is the biggest lie in tech.

Yet VCs keep repeating it while holding their iPhones - literally a piece of hardware that made Apple one of the world's biggest companies.

In today's episode of Bricks & bytes, we had Nathan Kirchner and we got to learn about why the "hardware is hard" myth is killing innovation in construction, how to break through corporate inertia, and the real barriers startups face when selling to billion-dollar companies... and many more!

Tune in to find out about: 

✅ Why 7 out of 10 biggest companies are actually hardware-dependent 

✅ How to escape "pilot purgatory" and get real corporate deals 

✅ The psychology behind why big companies resist innovation 

✅ Why bringing domain experts into your team beats perfect tech every time

Listen now on Spotify and discover how construction startups can actually win against corporate giants.

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Chapters

00:00 Intro

02:30 Introduction to Hardware Startups

05:30 Challenges in Building Hardware Startups

08:20 The Role of Hardware in Major Companies

11:19 Nathan's Journey into Hardware and Robotics

14:12 Innovations in Construction and Robotics

17:03 Engaging with Large Corporations

20:15 The Consultant vs. Innovator Mindset

23:07 Incremental Innovation vs. Grand Solutions

26:00 Cultural Differences Between Startups and Corporates

28:54 Bridging the Gap Between Startups and Corporates

36:56 Breaking Barriers in Compliance

41:40 Navigating Commercialization in Robotics

49:15 The Pilot Process: A Necessary Evil?

57:44 The Future of Robotics: Visible vs. Invisible

62:15 Insights from the Venture Capital Perspective