Episode

Built’s Path to becoming a $1.5B Construction Tech Unicorn

Owen Drury / February 6, 2025

“It turns out in construction and real estate, there’s a lot of big problems. There’s an abundance of them.” – This candid observation from Built Technologies’ CEO perfectly captures why construction tech is ripe for disruption. In our latest conversation with Chase Gilbert, he reveals Built’s journey from working with three community banks to becoming a construction tech unicorn that processes over $200 billion in annual construction spend. He breaks down the strategic decision to start with lenders and how it became their path to industry-wide transformation. Tune in to discover: ✅ Why “following the money” upstream was the key to market penetration ✅ How they turned an 11-person process into a 2-person operation ✅ The strategy behind reducing loan processing from 5 days to same-day ✅ Why being “long-term greedy” is crucial for sustainable growth Chapters 00:00 Intro 02:28 Building a Unicorn in Construction Tech 05:04 Identifying and Solving Industry Problems 06:40 The Genesis of Built Technologies 18:16 Revenue Generation and Business Model 26:56 The Importance of Following the Money 30:52 Efficiency Metrics and Impact on Lenders 38:05 The Landscape of Construction Loans 40:42 Navigating the Banking Ecosystem 44:19 Go-to-Market Strategy for Financial Institutions 49:23 Value-Based Pricing Models 50:06 Key Lessons in Scaling a Startup 53:28 Building and Maintaining Company Culture 59:37 Understanding Unicorn Valuation 01:11:01 The IPO Journey and Long-Term Vision

InStock’s Blueprint for Affordable Warehouse Robotics

Owen Drury / February 5, 2025

“Robots driving on ceilings? It’s not science fiction, it’s the future of warehouse automation.” In today’s episode of Bitbuilders, we had Yegor Anchyshkin, CEO of InStock, and we got to learn about the fascinating world of automated storage and retrieval systems, the challenges of robotics startups, and the future of warehouse automation. Tune in to find out about: ✅ How InStock is revolutionizing warehouse automation with ceiling-driving robots ✅ The importance of de-risking customers when selling new technology ✅ Why humanoid robots might not be the best solution for all automation needs ✅ The key to impressing customers with robotics demos —- Chapters 04:13 Introduction to Yegor and InStock 07:23 The Challenges of Robotics in E-commerce 10:27 Yegor’s Background and Early Ventures 13:19 Transitioning to Robotics and Automation 16:00 Understanding the Market for Robotics 19:00 Technological Barriers to Adoption 22:14 Innovative Robot Design and Architecture 25:22 The Importance of Performance and Cost 27:59 InStock’s Unique System Overview 31:13 Human-Robot Interaction in Warehousing 34:19 Flexibility and Modularity in Operations 37:13 Customer Needs and Market Adaptation 40:01 Deployment Strategies for Automation 43:10 Organizational Structure and Product Development 48:13 Building Confidence in Automation 50:07 The Role of System Integrators 51:20 Business Models for Automation 53:06 De-risking Customer Relationships 58:18 Future of Warehouse Automation 1:05:05 Challenges of Humanoid Robots 1:14:00 Advice for Founders in Robotics

Trayd’s Mission to Simplify Construction Payroll

Owen Drury / February 4, 2025

“The secret to raising $4.5M for a construction tech startup? 149 ‘nos’ and 1 ‘yes’ from YC.” In today’s episode of Bricks & Bytes, we had Anna Berger, founder of Trayd – a construction payroll and compliance platform built specifically for specialty contractors. From failing at video dating apps to revolutionizing construction back offices, Anna’s journey is a masterclass in persistence and problem-solving. Tune in to learn about: ✅ How working in her dad’s construction office led to discovering a massive market opportunity ✅ Why Trayd focuses on specialty contractors instead of general contractors ✅ The power of Trayd shows in B2B sales (and why cold calling doesn’t work) ✅ Building an effective founding team: why having a technical co-founder matters Listen to the full episode on Spotify:

From Arduino to Innovation: How Massimo Democratized Hardware Prototyping – BitBuilders – Building hard things

Owen Drury / January 31, 2025

“I’ve made every single mistake that exists in running startups.” – Massimo Banzi, co-founder of Arduino Our host, Gabriele Tinelli – investor at Foundamental, Aerospace Engineer and hardware nerd – sits down with Massimo Banzi, the co-creator of Arduino. They discuss the evolution of open-source hardware, the challenges of building a global brand, and the future of edge computing in robotics. Banzi shares insights on making technology accessible to beginners while still serving professionals. He emphasizes the importance of hands-on learning in tech education and reflects on the changing landscape of open-source projects. —- Chapters 00:00 Intro 04:30 Introduction to Interaction Design and Massimo Banzi 09:44 The Birth of Arduino: A Prototyping Revolution 19:35 Arduino’s Evolution: From Hobbyist to Professional Tool 29:20 The Arduino Community and Open Source Philosophy 36:27 Future Trends: Arduino and AI Integration 39:50 Integrating Arduino into Systems 41:24 The Power of Edge Computing 42:40 Advancements in Computer Vision for Robotics 46:04 The Role of AI in Robotics 47:32 Lessons from Startup Experiences 52:53 The Evolution of Open Source 54:43 Encouraging Young Innovators 1:01:16 Current Projects and Future Aspirations 1:05:41 Advice for Educators and Future Generations

$32M Series B: How Stratus is Revolutionizing MEP Workflows

Owen Drury / January 31, 2025

“300 billion dollars for AI infrastructure in the next few years – but who will design and build it all?” – A thought-provoking insight from our latest conversation about the massive construction needs for AI’s future. In today’s episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we learned about Stratus raising $32M Series B to revolutionize MEP contractors’ digital workflows. We explored how tech giants Microsoft, Amazon, and Google are planning to spend $300B on AI infrastructure construction, creating massive opportunities in the data center space. Through Patric Hellermann’s investor lens, we discovered why focusing on core infrastructure and authoring tools might be smarter than chasing AI-first solutions. Tune in to find out about: ✅ How Stratus is transforming MEP contractor workflows from design to fabrication ✅ The emerging opportunities in data center construction and infrastructure ✅ Why owning authoring tools beats single-point AI features ✅ The strategic advantage of avoiding overcrowded AI-first solutions Listen to the full episode:

The Tool That Makes Carbon Transparency a Reality: Tangible’s Solution for Sustainability

Owen Drury / January 31, 2025

Did you know that building materials account for 11% of all greenhouse gas emissions globally? It’s a huge number, and that’s why Tangible exists! Recently, we were invited to the BOOST cohort from Suffolk Technologies where we had a chance to interview Anneli, co-founder and CEO of Tangible, and we got to learn about how they’re helping real estate developers measure and reduce embodied carbon, and much more! Tune in to find out about: How Tangible measures embodied carbon using BIM files, making it easy for developers to see their impact. Why legislation, corporate demand, and investor pressure are driving the need for carbon transparency. How Tangible is helping to reduce the impact of concrete, a major source of emissions. How data is used to drive better decisions in material selection and building design.

“Tech Adoption Will Come All At Once” – How Haskell’s $3B Construction Giant Approaches Innovation

Owen Drury / January 30, 2025

“We’ve seen a lot of noise in construction tech – companies not delivering, acquisitions falling flat. But the avalanche of tech adoption is coming.” – Cutler Knupp, Director at DisruptTech In today’s episode of Bricks & Bytes, we had an insightful conversation with Cutler Knupp from Haskell’s DisruptTech about navigating construction tech investments and innovation. Tune in to learn about: ✅ How DisruptTech balances strategic value with investment returns in construction tech startups ✅ Why pilot programs often extend from 90 days to 12+ months before investment decisions ✅ The shift from “growth at all costs” to focus on clear paths to profitability ✅ Why construction tech adoption has been slower than expected, and what’s changing Want to hear Cutler’s bold predictions about AI and autonomous robots on construction sites in 2025? —– Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Context Setting 07:23 Investment Strategy and Market Validation 13:09 Sourcing New Solutions and Due Diligence 18:24 Assessing Market Demand 24:08 Impact of Technology on Business Growth 30:19 Common Mistakes in Financial Projections 36:45 Investment Decisions: Purchase vs. Invest 42:27 Timing Investments and Purchases 49:26 Partnerships and Collaborations in Innovation

The Problem with Project Write-Offs and How Novl is Solving It for Good

Owen Drury / January 29, 2025

“Project write-offs, financial losses” – that’s the problem that Novl is tackling head on for architecture and engineering firms! Recently we were invited to the BOOST cohort from Suffolk Technologies where we had a chance to interview Sean and Hassan, co-founders of Novl, and we got to learn about how they are helping companies to improve their margins and attract better talent. Tune in to find out about: How Novl is helping companies use data to see where they’ve made and lost money. Why predictive analytics is key for matching the right people to the right projects. How Novl aims to be an operating system for AE firms, saving them from hiring large in-house tech teams. How they are using a “baseball card on steroids” for resource management.

How Checkatrade Connects Millions of UK Homeowners with Vetted Professionals

Owen Drury / January 28, 2025

“We all have a plan until we get punched in the face” – A mindset that helped transform a 25-year-old directory business into a tech-enabled marketplace. In today’s episode of Bricks & Bytes, we sat down with Jambu, CEO of Checkatrade, who shared how he’s leading the UK’s largest trade platform through its next evolution. From his early days at Uber to now running a company with 500+ employees, Jambu opened up about the realities of leadership and transformation. Tune in to find out about: ✅ Why Checkatrade is moving from an advertising model to a full-service marketplace ✅ How a tornado in West Sussex sparked the creation of a company that now serves millions ✅ Why the next wave of generational growth in trades is coming (and what’s driving it) ✅ The truth about being a CEO – from 4:30 AM starts to the constant challenge of sustainable leadership Catch the full episode to hear Jambu’s insights on the future of home improvement, dealing with competition, and why he believes trades will be one of the most lucrative careers in the coming years.

13% Profit at Risk? Kroo’s Solution for Construction’s Cash Flow Chaos

Owen Drury / January 24, 2025

“Data silos are real, right?” That’s how our conversation started with Kroo, and it perfectly captures the challenge they’re tackling in construction. Recently we were invited to the BOOST cohort from Suffolk Technologies, where we had a chance to interview Barry and Jonathan, Kroo’s co-founders, and we learned about their modern data management approach and how it can help construction companies. Tune in to find out about: How Kroo is unifying data from different platforms like project management, ERP, and scheduling software. Why 80-90% of the industry is still struggling with basic data management. How Kroo is helping companies forecast cash flow and manage project costs. Why a data-driven approach is essential for efficiency and growth in the construction sector.

First Principles & Founder Success: Lessons from Scott Wolf’s Levelset Journey

Owen Drury / January 24, 2025

“20 years of experience or 1 year repeated 20 times?” – This profound question from Scott Wolfe (Levelset) captures why some founders achieve extraordinary success while others stay stagnant. In today’s episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we explored how compound experience and non-linear career paths shape successful founders in construction tech. Tune in to learn about: ✅ How Scott Wolfe’s diverse background (software, retail, law) led to Levelset’s success ✅ Why non-linear experiences often lead to breakthrough innovations ✅ The truth about choosing the right capital structure for your business ✅ Why your customer should be your best source of capital Listen to the full episode on Spotify:

Sold for $500m – Scott Wolfe’s Epic Story With Levelset

Owen Drury / January 23, 2025

“I sued the bar association because they tried to restrict blogging. Content was just the way I saw the world.” – This mindset led to a $500M exit. In today’s episode of Groundbreakers from Bricks and Bytes, we had Scott Wolfe, founder of Levelset, share the remarkable journey of building and selling his construction payment software company to Procore. From a law practice dealing with post-Katrina restoration work to pioneering construction tech – Scott’s story is filled with invaluable insights. Tune in to discover: ✅ How helping contractors with payment problems evolved into a $500M exit ✅ Why Scott took the lowest valuation term sheet and spent 16-36 months building relationships with investors before taking their money ✅ The power of “Help First” in content marketing – how Levelset generated thousands of leads by focusing on solving problems ✅ Why Scott believes companies aren’t sold, they’re bought – and what that means for founders planning exits Listen to the full episode on Spotify to learn how Scott turned construction payment headaches into a category-defining company that changed an industry. ——- Chapters 00:00 Intro04:19 Introduction to Levelset and Its Mission06:48 The Ideation Process Behind Levelset11:59 Scott’s Unique Background and Early Influences15:07 Approaching Problem Solving in Construction Tech19:11 The Importance of Diverse Experiences21:50 Dealing with Change and Adaptability25:29 Adoption of Technology in Construction28:53 Inflection Points in Levelset’s Journey31:51 The Decision to Pursue Venture Capital35:39 Advice on Raising Capital and Investor Fit41:20 Capitalization Decisions and Business Strategy43:24 Innovative Go-to-Market Strategies50:23 The Evolution of Marketing Sophistication54:17 Navigating Acquisition Interests1:12:13 Building Value for Exit1:16:13 Reflections on the Acquisition Process

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