Bricks And Bytes

September in review: From Paris to Boston, construction tech is booming!

In this month's roundup, Owen and Martin dive into the exciting developments in the world of construction tech. We've hit major milestones, with over 1,000 email subscribers and 900 YouTube followers!

Tune in to catch up on:

✅ Upcoming Super Series episodes, including a robotics company from Amsterdam

✅ Insights from our new podcast verticals: Bitbuilders, Groundbreakers, and Corporate Innovations

✅ The fascinating world of construction in space

✅ How much top construction firms are really spending on innovation

Listen now on Spotify to stay up-to-date with the latest in construction tech. 

Note: This is a repost from an episode released last month on Bricks, Bucks & Bytes.

"Building a f***ing business isn't about chasing 1% of a huge market."

In this episode, Patric Hellermann share insights on construction tech startups and investment strategies. We explored the evolving landscape of ERP solutions, 3D visualization software, and the pitfalls of lazy market assessments.

Tune in to find out about: 

✅ Why targeting a small niche can lead to greater success 

✅ The challenges facing new entrants in the 3D rendering space 

✅ How to build a business by focusing on specific customers and channels 

✅ The importance of achieving profitability in your core business

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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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bricksbytespod

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmNbunUTIIQDzbJgGJt9_Zg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/

This episode is brought to you by Shft—helping contractors like you leverage BIM to secure a leading position in the race towards construction’s digital future.

Visit: https://maketheshft.digital 

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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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00:00 Introduction and Icebreaker

06:32 Navigating the Crowded Market: Opus Flow's Differentiation

10:40 The Challenges of a Red Ocean Market and Margin Compression

13:00 The Importance of Partnerships and Distribution for Opus Flow

21:37 Becoming a Category Leader: Challenges and Opportunities for Opus Flow

24:03 Introduction to the Rendering Industry

26:28 Challenges Faced by Startups

31:20 The Importance of Differentiation and Capturing Entire Workflows

36:12 The Significance of Focusing on Specific Niches

44:46 Building a Profitable Core Business

48:30 The Misconception of Targeting a Small Percentage of a Large Market

Note: This is the 1st episode of our 8 part Super Series with Foundamental. You can go and check out the complete Super Series with Foundamental at : ⁠https://bricks-and-bytes-super-series.vhx.tv/products

In episode 001 we go right back to the start. How did Foundamental come to be? What was the “random mash-up” that led to the firm’s genesis?

Watch this episode to discover:

Are robots the future of infrastructure safety? This startup's journey might surprise you.

In this episode of Bricks and Bytes, Gabriele got a chance to interview Troy Demmer, co-founder of Gecko Robotics.

We learned about Troy's journey from healthcare to robotics, the challenges of building hardware startups, and how Gecko is transforming infrastructure maintenance for both private and public sectors... and many more!

Tune in to find out about:

✅ How Gecko's robots collect 10 million data points in a day vs. 10,000 manually in a week

✅ The importance of finding the right early customers for hardware startups

✅ Navigating the complexities of government contracts and public sector work

✅ Why selling outcomes as a service can be a game-changer for robotics companies

For those who are new, BitBuilders is all about diving deep into the world of construction robotics and the innovators shaping the future of the built environment.

Note: This episode is a Re-Release from BitBuilders

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

This episode is brought to you by Shft—helping contractors like you leverage BIM to secure a leading position in the race towards construction’s digital future.

Visit: https://maketheshft.digital 

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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. 

00:00 Intro to the Episode and Our Sponsors

"Go slow to go fast" - The counterintuitive advice for startups in construction tech

In this episode, we had Scott Ellison share insights on the future of construction technology. We learned about balancing disruption with respect in an age-old industry, the importance of problem-led growth, and why the "jockey" matters more than the "horse" in early-stage investing.

Tune in to find out about:

✅ The "respect to disrupt ratio" in construction innovation

✅ Adapting product-led growth for the built world

✅ Evolving talent attraction in construction

✅ The power of the "empathy muscle" for entrepreneurs

Listen on Spotify to gain a fresh perspective on navigating the exciting world of construction tech startups.

Note: This is a re-release of an episode originally published in 2023

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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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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bricksbytespod

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmNbunUTIIQDzbJgGJt9_Zg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/

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This episode is brought to you by Shft—helping contractors like you leverage BIM to secure a leading position in the race towards construction’s digital future.

Visit: https://maketheshft.digital 

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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.

Reality capture in construction raised hundreds of millions, but where are the profitable businesses?

In this episode, we had Mo Akbari, ex-founder of HoloBuilder, discussing the state of reality capture technology in construction. We explored funding trends, market dynamics, and the challenges of building sustainable businesses in this space.

Tune in to find out about:

✅ Why reality capture startups struggle to achieve profitability despite significant funding

✅ The evolution of capture technologies and AI's potential impact

✅ Insights on valuation trends and fundraising strategies in construction tech

✅ Key advice for founders building products with high user adoption

Note: This video is a repost from Bricks, Bucks and Bytes.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bricksbytespod

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmNbunUTIIQDzbJgGJt9_Zg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/

This episode is brought to you by Shft—helping contractors like you leverage BIM to secure a leading position in the race towards construction’s digital future.

Visit: https://maketheshft.digital 

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. 

AI is transforming construction tech, but talent and distribution are the real game-changers.

In this episode, we had Jenny Song from Navitas Capital, and we got to learn about their unique approach to investing in construction tech, the critical role of AI talent, and how they evaluate startups... and much more!

Tune in to find out about:

✅ Navitas' focus on value-add investments and long-term relationships

✅ How AI is reshaping construction tech startups

✅ The importance of distribution and defensibility in AI solutions

✅ Why understanding the fragmented construction market is key

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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

----------------------------------

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bricksbytespod

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmNbunUTIIQDzbJgGJt9_Zg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/

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This episode is brought to you by Shft—helping contractors like you leverage BIM to secure a leading position in the race towards construction’s digital future.

Visit: https://maketheshft.digital 

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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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Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Navitas and their Focus on the Built Environment

08:13 Interest from Generalist Investors in Construction Tech

15:35 Investment Pace and Philosophy

22:05 Working with Founders and Communication Cadence

24:49 Geographic Focus and Investment Criteria

28:25 Evaluating Startups: Key Factors

33:35 Tech Trends: AI and Embodied AI

35:43 Investment in Document Crunch

42:31 Defensibility of AI Solutions

46:47 The Importance of Talent

51:04 Tech-Enabled Operators in Construction

55:56 Ideal Exits: Acquisitions and IPOs

59:57 Common Mistakes in Investing in Construction Tech

Construction tech is booming, but adopting it remains a challenge. Why?

David Rockhill from McKinsey shared some eye-opening insights on our latest episode.

He explained how the industry has changed in the last 6-7 years, with tech now tackling on-site issues - the biggest value pool in construction.

He also revealed how AR and VR are transforming construction worker training, making it faster and more effective than ever before.

We discussed:

✅ The updated McKinsey productivity curve (coming soon!)

✅ Why "pilot purgatory" hinders tech adoption

✅ How AR/VR and digital twins are revolutionizing worker training

✅ McKinsey's AI tool "Lily" that's transforming knowledge management

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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

-----------------------------

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bricksbytespod

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmNbunUTIIQDzbJgGJt9_Zg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/

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This episode is brought to you by Shft—helping contractors like you leverage BIM to secure a leading position in the race towards construction’s digital future.

Visit: https://maketheshft.digital

------------------------------

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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Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

04:02 - Main Reasons for Less Productivity In Construction

06:10 - David's Journey Into McKinsey

16:30 - Trends that David sees In Construction Industry

24:25 - David's Perspective on Robotics

34:56 - Process That Corporations Customers Should Follow

40:00 - How David Picks The Best Solution

45:14 - Problems That Innovation Heads Have

49:35 - Future of Software in AEC

01:05:48 - Outro

What if the next construction tech unicorn is bootstrapped and uses AI to revolutionize how we design buildings? 

Rohan from Joyst, a bootstrapped AI company, shows it's possible in the construction proposal space.

In our latest Bricks and Bytes monthly recap, Owen and Martin break down July's most fascinating developments in construction technology, featuring conversations with industry leaders.

Tune in to discover:

✅ Bernardo Gamboa's take on Latam's unique construction tech ecosystem

✅ Amir Berman (BuildDots) on effective go-to-market strategies for startups

✅ Rohan from Joyst and Shar from Firmus on AI in construction documentation

✅ Dev from NPLAN on innovative pricing models in construction tech

 Listen now to hear our insights on July's biggest industry shifts.

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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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bricksbytespod

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmNbunUTIIQDzbJgGJt9_Zg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/

00:00 Parenting and Catching Up

02:09 Project Tensions in Construction

05:12 The Need for a Single Solution in Construction Tech

08:33 Exploring Robotics in Construction with Bit Builders

10:01 Go-to-Market Strategies and Value-Based Pricing in Construction Tech

13:16 Updates on the Podcast Network

"AI will transform AEC so much, we won't have the same industry in 5-10 years."

In this episode, we had Britton Langdon (SnapTrude) and Clifton Harness (TestFit) share their views on construction tech's future. We explored AI's impact, robotics in construction, and new ways to assess land deals.

Britton, with his background in founding and selling M Suite, shared insights on AI's practical applications in construction.

Meanwhile, Clifton, driven by his developer father's challenges, explained how TestFit is revolutionizing land deal assessments.

Tune in to find out about:

✅ How AI might lead to more small architecture firms, not fewer

✅ Why some think robotics, not AI, will solve construction's biggest problems

✅ A unique take on why 3D printing might be better suited for the moon

✅ How new software is changing the way developers choose building sites

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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

--------------------------------

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bricksbytespod

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmNbunUTIIQDzbJgGJt9_Zg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/

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00:00 - Intro

01:17 - Discussion on Automated Progress Tracking & Integration and Collaboration With Britton

11:42 - Discussion On Generative Design & Robotics and AI with Clifton