Could a "Cloud Installer" approach help insulate 30 million European homes faster?

In this episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we learned about Varm's €5.7M seed round for their innovative insulation business. They're using a "Cloud Installer" approach to scale across Europe.

We also discussed Nemetschek Group entering India's construction software market, starting with university partnerships.

Plus, Patric Hellermann shared why he's excited about Varm and his thoughts on "pay what you want" pricing for software.

Tune in to find out about:

✅ How insulation can cut energy costs by up to 40%

✅ Challenges of selling €2,500 software licenses in India

✅ Varm's plan to train and equip local insulation businesses

✅ Why "pay what you want" pricing might not work for high R&D software

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Companies Mentioned :

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Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Funding Round

02:32 Varm's Focus on Insulating Existing Buildings

05:41 Cloud Installer: Varm's Business Model

10:09 Blow-In Insulation: A High ROI Measure

28:06 Introduction to Nemechek Group's Expansion into India

31:59 The Potential of the Indian AEC Software Market

36:26 Challenges of Pricing Models in the Indian Market

Is raising venture capital really a sign of success for startups?

In this episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we explore Neustark's €69M growth round. We learn how they're making carbon capture a scalable industrial process, not just a scientific breakthrough.

We also dive into Trimble's acquisition of Flashtract, following similar moves by Autodesk and Procore. This trend is reshaping construction payment solutions.

Patric also shares some candid thoughts on startup accelerators and what really matters for success. Hint: it's not just about fundraising.

Tune in to find out about:

✅ Why Neustark's focus on industrialization sets them apart in the crowded climate tech space 

✅ The evolving landscape of construction payment solutions and what it means for startups ✅ The surprising stats on startup success rates from accelerators (and why they might not matter) 

✅ Why building a sustainable business trumps fundraising hype every time

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00:00 Intro

01:04 Neustark: Industrializing Carbon Capture and Storage

Is Saudi Arabia outpacing Silicon Valley in construction tech? A recent $30M funding round suggests so...

In this episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we explored Tendered's major Series A funding, signaling the Middle East's growing importance in construction innovation.

We also dissected a billion-dollar logistics acquisition that could reshape the industry's tech landscape.

Plus, we uncovered why gross margins might be the hidden key to startup success in construction.

Tune in to find out about:

✅ Why Saudi Arabia is becoming a hotbed for construction tech

✅ How global trade shifts are impacting construction and logistics

✅ The surprising truth about product differentiation and deployment complexity

✅ Why distribution, not just product, creates category winners

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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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Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Funding News

01:32 Tendered: Revolutionizing Heavy Equipment Operations

25:03 The Signal of the Acquisition for the Logistics Technology Market

28:18 Asset-Like Transportation Solutions in Logistics

29:06 Comparing Funding in Logistics and Construction

29:20 The Risks and Opportunities of Focusing on the Saudi Arabian Market

29:50 Conclusion

31:06 The Correlation Between Logistics and the Wider Economy

36:21 The Impact of Geopolitical Events on Trading and Logistics Companies

45:07 The Importance of Gross Margin and Contribution Margin

55:05 The Seasonality of the AEC Sector

56:43 Avoiding Mistakes and the Role of Distribution in Becoming a Category Creator

From delivering concrete in Mumbai to becoming India's second-largest concrete supplier - how did InfraMarket do it?

In this episode, we had Shubh from Foundamental, an early investor in InfraMarket, and we got to learn about the unique challenges of the Indian market, InfraMarket's innovative acquisition strategy, and their journey to becoming a construction tech unicorn.

Tune in to find out about:

✅ How InfraMarket built trust by simply delivering on time in a market where that's not guaranteed

✅ The company's "outcome as a service" approach and its path to profitability

✅ InfraMarket's strategic expansion into consumer-facing products and global markets

✅ The role of working capital in scaling a construction materials business

✅ Insights on InfraMarket's upcoming IPO and India's growing stock market

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Timestamps

4:13 - Presence Of Foundamental in India

8:12 - Space That Foundamentals are Focussing In India

11:45 - Labor Shortage In India

14:00 - Impact on Interest Rates In Construction Industry In India

16:20 - Dollar Milkshake Theory

20:00 - Misinconceptions in terms of Investing in India

23:00 - How Shubh Ended Up Investing In InfraMarket

37:40 - Acquisition Strategy 

Is remote sales killing your construction tech startup? One founder learned it the hard way. By listening to an investor who had no idea.

In this episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we got to learn about Kelvin, a French startup using AI for home energy audits, which just raised 4.7 million euros.

We explored Turner & Townsend's latest construction cost survey, revealing cooling inflation across the sector.

Also, we delved into Vinod Khosla's controversial take that 90% of VCs add no value, with Patrick offering his candid perspective.

Tune in to find out about:

✅ Why Kelvin's remote energy assessment model may face challenges

✅ How construction labor shortages are reaching critical levels worldwide

✅ The dangers of taking advice from investors unfamiliar with construction

✅ Why construction cost inflation varies dramatically by region

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Company Mentioned:

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Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Name

02:17 Kelvin: Using Technology for Energy Efficiency Audits

03:21 Construction Costs and Inflation

09:19 Challenges of Remote Data Assessment in Construction

35:15 The Dishonesty in the Investment World

49:00 The Lack of Exits in Construction Tech

53:27 Finding Value in Investors

55:43 Insights from Ex-Employees of Construction Tech Companies

From billion-dollar unicorns in India to America's EV infrastructure push, the landscape of construction is shifting fast.

In this episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we had Patric Hellermann exploring the complex world of construction tech, energy infrastructure, and global market trends. We dived into InfraMarket's success, the challenges of electrifying everything, and the future of AI in construction.

Tune in to find out about:

✅ InfraMarket's $2.5 billion valuation and plans to go public

✅ The hidden infrastructure challenges in the "Electrify Everything" movement

✅ Why China is leading the EV race and what it means for Western markets

✅ The crucial role of efficient distribution in AI-driven construction tech

Essential listening for construction tech professionals, investors, and industry leaders.

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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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Timestamps

(00:00 - 01:22) : Intro

(01:22 - 06:46) : New Format and Name Brainstorming

(06:46 - 10:54) : Mars Unicorn Fund Invests $50 Million in InfraMarket

(10:54 - 24:40) : InfraMarket's Valuation and Profitability

(24:40 - 27:02) : The Indian Stock Exchange and Middle Class Investment

(27:02 - 33:24) : Biden Administration's Investment in EV Charging Infrastructure

(33:24 - 41:55) : Challenges and Implications of Electrifying Everything

(41:55 - 46:34) : The Role of Incumbents in the AI Industry

(46:34 - 51:23) : The Importance of Distribution in the Success of AI Companies

(51:23 - 54:14) : The Potential of Micro Nuclear Power Plants