Bricks And Bytes

By Bricks And BytesBusiness Entrepreneurship

Bricks And Bytes episodes

March 22, 2024The Race To Net Zero by 2050. Is It Actually Possible?
In a world teetering on the brink of environmental crisis, we go on a journey where hope meets innovation.
In today's episode, we sit down with Anil Sawhney - author of International BIM Implementation Guide and the Head of Sustainability at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
In an open chat, Anil delves into the heart of future development, talks about the importance of sustainability in the construction industry – and shows us why it is more critical than ever.
He takes us on a journey to the future, discussing the need for new regulations and standards to drive change, the skill gaps that need to be bridged, the possibility of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, and much more.
Tune in and find out:
What does "building green" really mean? It's not just about the planet! We need buildings that are good for people, cost less to run, and use fair practices.

How can we build smarter? How to integrate sustainability principles into core work processes – teach builders new ways of doing things and use tech to track how our buildings impact the earth.

Can technology help us make buildings that help the planet? The journey ahead to a net zero by 2050.

Innovation meets hope. Exciting developments in construction technology and digital tools to measure, report and reduce carbon emissions.
To learn more about the future of sustainable development and investment opportunities, sign up for our newsletter : https://bricksbytes.show
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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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Timestamps:
(00:00:00-00:05:30) Intro
(00:05:30-00:08:45) Future of Construction Tech According to RICS
(00:08:45-00:11:40) Role as a Head Of Sustainability
(00:11:40-00:34:20) How to measure Sustainabiliy in Built World
(00:34:20-00:43:21) Zero by 2050 In Construction
(00:43:21-00:44:44) Outro
45 min
March 19, 2024Big Tech, VC Billions & AI Architects | Martin & Owen Exclusive
"If you could interview one Venture Capitalist in the world, who would it be?"

In today's episode, hosts Owen and Martin sit down and talk about the fascinating intersection of construction, technology, and Big-Money investment. Join them as they look back on their own evolution in a field slow to embrace change.

Martin takes us down the rabbit hole where startups meet venture capitalists. And Owen pulls the curtain on the beginning of Bricks & Bytes - and gives us a glimpse of the future. This is their story: the triumphs, the experts, and the startling revelations.

Tune in and find out:
The funny story of Martin's horror on finding a basement without reinforcement

What’s the much awaited Super Series? What’s in it for startup founders?

Why does Owen think it's still early days for robots?

Are there really NO predefined verticals?

Vinod Khosla is Martin's dream venture capitalist. Why?
All this and a lot more ..
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Get the latest in Construction-Technology, meet the venture capitalists, hear from the founders and join a thriving community.
Sign up for our newsletter at: https://bricksbytes.show

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/
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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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Timestamps:
(00:00:00-00:03:50) Intro
(00:03:50-00:10:30) How Bricks & Bytes Started
(00:10:30-00:16:36) Shift of Bricks & Bytes into Investors and Startup Founders
(00:16:36-00:21:00) Future VCs Guests Coming Soon
(00:21:00-00:27:55) Fun Conversation
(00:27:55-00:28:22) Outro
29 min
March 15, 2024 $2.5 Billion Construction Director Predicts The Future of Tech in Construction - Mohamed Adel, Bird
In this episode, we have the privilege of sitting down with digital construction visionary Mohamed Adel, the man behind Bird Construction's bold digital transformation.
Hear him share his extraordinary stories on Dubai's towering sites - where lofty inspired designs clashed with ground realities of complex projects.
We ask Mohamed if it's possible to transform old processes into digital workflows. He tells us how he envisions the future blurred between the virtual and the physical (construction).
Tune in to hear Mohamed's story and explore a possible future where buildings rise faster, mistakes vanish, and the very language of construction is written in binary codes.
He also addresses some fundamental questions:
Can a single, open-source model become the ultimate collaboration tool, replacing siloed 2D drawings and endless email chains?
Can AI build seamless bridges between different software, ending the era of clunky integrations?
Does a future exist where the construction site is as intuitive as a video game, guided by the wisdom of real-time data?
The proven 5-7 year roadmap for rolling out new technologies without disruption projects
All this and more...
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Mohammed Adel | Digital Construction Director at Bird Construction
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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
Timestamps:
(00:00:00-00:02:19) Intro
(00:02:19-00:10:20) About Digital Construction & BIM
(00:10:20-00:19:17) How to get started with digital program
(00:19:17-00:36:35) Key Factors for succes with digitalization
(00:36:35-00:39:18) How to use technology for sustainability
(00:39:18-00:42:34) How to switch careers into digital construction
(00:42:34-00:43:09) Outro
44 min
March 12, 2024From Oppression to £13 BN Opportunity. From Idea to Investment. | Inside QFlow with Brittany Harris
In today’s episode, we have Brittany Harris, Co-Founder at QFlow.

Have you ever wondered how to secure funding in an old, tradition-bound industry like construction?

In this episode, Brittany Harris, Co-Founder at Qualis Flow shares her inspiring story. We hear about the challenges she conquered, the lessons she learned, and how she built QFlow attracting millions in investment.

She talks about new ways technology can decarbonize, streamline processes, increase transparency, and help us *leave the world a better place*.

This talk is more than data-driven sustainable construction; it's about breaking barriers in an old industry, creating new paradigm shifts and believing in the 'impossible'.

Tune in and learn:
How Qflow helps contractors eliminate hundreds of admin hours tracking materials and compliance documentation
How they grew over 200% year-on-year between seed and series A funding
The methods she used to raise $9.1 million in 3 months (when investors told them it would take 9 months)
The staggering £13 billion opportunity to reuse and resell construction materials that currently go straight to landfill from site

Interested in sustainable construction? Looking to raise funds for your startup? Follow Brittany Harris here on LinkedIn.
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This episode is brought to you by Shft—the BIM partner you need to fill the gap in your digital skills and tackle your BIM needs, end-to-end.

Visit: https://maketheshft.digital

Timestamps:
(00:00:00-00:02:57) Intro
(00:02:57-00:08:25) About Qualis FLow
(00:08:25-00:20:55) Fund raising experience
(00:20:55-00:33:52) Advice for founders looking to raise money
(00:33:52-00:39:25) Issue of Construction Waste Management
(00:39:25-00:42:28) Experience as a woman leading startup in construction
(00:42:28-00:43:02) Outro
44 min
March 08, 2024Building A Business To Exit - Lessons From A $219m Sale - Saurabh Saxena
In today’s episode, we have Saurabh Saxena, an exited founder (Quandoo $219m and WNS: NYSE), Investor and current Head of Investments & Acquisitions at Axel Springer

In this episode, we learn about some key insights on building businesses with a focus on successful exits, navigating the world of private equity, embracing continuous growth and exploration, and much more!

Tune in to find out about:
How to identify if your business idea has enough "headroom" to scale using simple pre-sales tactics

Why 95% of venture-backed startups never reach a liquidity event

Why most European construction tech startups struggle to scale beyond £10 million in revenue

How private equity firms retool and scale traditional (or boring) businesses using the "buy and build" model

And what life looks like after an exit
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Saurabh Saxena | Head of Investments & Acquisitions at Axel Springer
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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

Timestamps:
(00:00:00-00:02:35) Intro
(00:02:35-00:15:03) How to Build a Business with an exit in mind
(00:15:03-00:21:54) KPIs that Business is good for exit
(00:21:54-00:39:27) Life post-exit
(00:39:27-00:51:05) How to be successful in the world of Private Equity
(00:51:05-01:00:02) Space @ University of Oxford
(01:00:02-01:01:23) Outro
1 hr 2 min
March 05, 2024Insurance Is More Backward Than Construction! Dragging Construction Insurance To 2024 - Phillip Callow
In today’s episode, we have Philip Callow, Founder of construction insurance platform Rosetta Risk Management Ltd.

In this episode, we learn about the surprising math behind construction insurance premiums, how large projects can be insured for surprisingly low costs and much more!

Tune in to find out about:
The $440 million UK construction insurance market and how premium rates are set

Why the adversarial nature of construction makes insurance so difficult

How the Grenfell Tower tragedy changed how underwriters view risk

The future of using telematics and AI to provide dynamic risk pricing
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Philip Callow | Founder at Rosetta Risk Management Ltd
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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

Timestamps:
(00:00:00-00:02:38) Intro
(00:02:38-00:09:40) Insurance in context of Construction
(00:09:40-00:11:45) Premium Cost of Insurance In Construction
(00:11:45-00:27:10) Does the insurer always wins?
(00:27:10-00:34:30) Role of data for risk calculation
(00:34:30-00:39:20) Real-time data for insurance
(00:39:20-00:42:22) Lessons Philip learned from Corporate World
(00:42:22-00:43:22) Outro
43 min
March 01, 2024How To Build A Unicorn In Construction Tech - Patric Hellermann
In today’s episode, we have Patric Hellermann, General Partner at the largest global early stage investor in construction technology - Foundamental.

Patric explains the 30bn opportunity in construction tech, the past and future models of unicorns, and how VC in the world of construction operates.

Tune in to find out about:
How VC funding in construction tech is defying the recession-hit VC ecosystem, showcasing opportunity and resilience unlike other sectors

The existing and future models of unicorn construction tech startups

What shapes the VC world in construction; from exceptional investors through to founder-fit, and what happens when a company begins to fail

Patric’s favorite investors and his way of staying creative while managing a career in VC
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Patric Hellermann | General Partner at Foundamental
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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

Timestamps:
(00:00:00-00:03:18) Intro
(00:03:18-00:06:32) How to Create a Venture Capital Company
(00:06:32-00:40:22) Funding Statistics in Construction
(00:40:22-01:07:57) Unicorns in Construction Tech
(01:07:57-01:11:17) Difference Between Private Equity and Early Stage VC
(01:11:17-01:15:59) How the Due Diligence Process Looks Like
(01:15:59-01:22:39) Differences in VCs in Construction and Other Industries
(01:22:39-01:42:07) Audience's Questions
(01:42:07-01:42:52) Outro
1 hr 43 min
February 27, 2024#083 - Digital Transformation or Digital Demise? Construction’s Struggle With Digitisation, Tips For Start-Ups Building In Construction Tech, The Gold-Rush For Data
In today’s episode of Bricks & Bytes, we have Res Orgut, a mentor at Formwork Labs.
In this episode, we learn about the significance of innovation, data-driven decision-making, and continuous learning in the construction industry.

Tune in to find out about:
How program management offices are often catalysts for digital transformation by improving processes, governance, and standardization

The importance of problem-solving, connecting solutions to real needs

The rise of the role of data analyst in the construction industry and what this actually means

The rise of the role of data analyst in the construction industry and what this actually means for improving performance through analytics
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Res Orgut | Mentor at Formwork Labs

Timestamps:
(00:00:00-00:02:28) Intro
(00:02:28-00:06:50) Role of Mentor at FormerLabs and Associate Director
(00:06:50-00:16:55) Biggest Challenge in AEC Startup
(00:16:55-00:19:30) LLMs in PMOs
(00:19:30-00:29:20) Use cases of AI and LLMs in Startup
(00:29:20-00:32:37) Success in Project Management
(00:32:37-00:32:37) Outro
34 min
February 23, 2024#082 - "Most of it doesn't work" - The Truth Behind Construction Tech, Why The Construction Productivity Problem is BS and Why AutoDesk Can't Handle Feedback - With Darren Young
In today’s episode of Bricks & Bytes, we have Darren Young, Director of Construction Technology at UMC

In this episode, we learn the importance of personal relationships at work, developing a mindset to challenge conventional thinking, re-evaluating the construction industry's so-called productivity problem, and much more!

Tune in to find out about:
How personal relationships impact work and why some people you help will still dislike you

Why IT departments often frustrate their internal customers

How social media provides exposure but fails to build real professional networks

Why much construction tech fails to move the needle on efficiency
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Darren Young | Director of Construction Technology at UMC

Timestamps:
(00:00:00-00:08:45) Intro
(00:08:45-00:16:14) Role of Director of Construction Technology
(00:16:14-00:24:00) Controversial Topics
(00:24:00-00:27:20) The Impact of Social Media on Networking
(00:27:20-00:41:35) Why Construction Productivity is BS
(00:41:35-00:50:22) Cultivating a Mindset for Independent Thinking Beyond the Norm
(00:50:22-00:50:22) Outro
51 min
February 20, 2024#081 - From 0 to Real Estate Developer in 7 Years - The Tech, Tools, and Teachings Behind the Rise to the Top - Max Sanchez
In today’s episode of Bricks & Bytes, we have Max Sanchez, Real Estate Developer and Construction Innovator.
In this episode, we learn about Max's journey from music producer and sales manager to a real estate developer, the potential Max sees in using robotics and virtual reality capture in construction, and much more!
Tune in to find out about:
How Max went from selling customized USB drives to managing construction projects and diving into construction tech.

The lessons Max shares when selling tech solutions to developers.

How robotics and virtual reality capture can have a big impact in the industry

How to create win-win partnerships between developers and contractors
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Max Sanchez | Real Estate Developer and Construction Innovator

Timestamps:
(00:00:00-00:06:35) Intro
(00:01:35-00:07:10) Background of Max Sanchez
(00:07:10-00:17:26) Advice for people looking to get into Real Estate
(00:17:26-00:23:00) Key Mistakes that Max made
(00:23:00-00:28:10) "Where Are We" in Construction Tech
(00:28:10-00:41:22) Technology in Property Development Business
(00:41:22-00:45:46) Reality Capture Solution and Robotics In Construction
(00:45:46-00:46:52) Outro
46 min