Bricks And Bytes Podcast

Episode

8 Rejections to Architectural Revolution: Altaf’s Journey Building Snaptrude

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On this first ever episode of Groundbreakers – we dive into the remarkable journey of Altaf, founder of ⁠SnapTrude⁠, who’s reshaping the architecture and construction industry. From his roots in geometry research to revolutinising design tools, Altaf shares how persistence and vision turned rejection into triumph. We’re also joined by Shub Bhattachraya from ⁠Foundamental⁠, an early investor in SnapTrude, offering unique insights into the startup’s growth. Discover how an outsider’s perspective led to groundbreaking innovation in an industry resistant to change. Learn about the challenges of building complex technology, the importance of interoperability, and the future of collaborative design. Altaf and Shub reveal: ✅How a UNESCO project sparked Altaf’s entrepreneurial journey ✅The transition from academia to startup life ✅Strategies for choosing investors and building a strong team ✅Insights on balancing product development with market growth ✅The investor’s perspective on Snaptude’s evolution ——————————— 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/⁠

How Mighty Buildings is Reshaping Construction’s Future with 3D Printed Homes – BitBuilders

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Is 3D printing the future of construction? This startup’s journey might surprise you. In this episode of BitBuilders, Gabriele interviews Alexey Dubov, co-founder of Mighty Buildings. We learned about Alexey’s journey from robotics to construction tech, the challenges of building a hardware startup in the construction industry, and how Mighty Buildings is transforming home building with 3D printing technology… and much more! Tune in to find out about: ✅ How Mighty Buildings’ 3D printing technology can assemble a 2,000 sq ft villa in just five days ✅ The importance of finding the right early customers and pilots for construction tech startups ✅ Navigating the complexities of global manufacturing and talent acquisition in hardware startups ✅ Why focusing on product-agnostic production could be a game-changer for the construction industry 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. 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/ —————————— Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction and Alexey’s background 02:02 – Alexey’s journey before Mighty Buildings 04:23 – Lessons learned from previous ventures 06:41 – Introduction to Mighty Buildings and its technology 10:39 – Evolution of Mighty Buildings’ product and regulatory challenges 15:25 – Development process and iterations of the technology 20:48 – Regulatory approvals and product iterations 25:24 – Manufacturing process and robotics implementation 28:33 – Discussion on R&D costs and offshore talent 31:54 – Mighty Buildings’ global operations and factory locations 35:34 – Business model and deploying new factories 38:05 – Metrics for measuring progress and competitiveness 42:46 – Speed of construction and assembly process 45:47 – Vision for the future of construction 51:51 – Shift in construction tech founding teams 53:45 – Alexey’s framework for investing in construction tech startups 58:30 – Advice for build tech founders 01:01:34 – Importance of customer acceptance and integration in existing workflows

The Niche Domination Strategy – Why 1% of a Huge Market Could Kill Your Startup

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Is your startup targeting just 1% of a massive market? Think again. This common pitch strategy might be hurting your chances with investors. In this episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we learned about Opus Flow’s €1.7 million investment to boost their ERP solution for sustainable installers. We also explored the 3D visualization market, discussing by 7.2 (formerly known as Apex Partners)’s investment in Lumion, a key player in AEC software. Patric also shared valuable insights on building successful startups in crowded markets like construction tech. Tune in to find out: ✅ Why focusing on a specific niche can be more powerful than chasing a small slice of a big market ✅ How Opus Flow stands out in the competitive ERP space ✅ Why adding AI isn’t always enough to beat established players like Lumion ✅ The importance of profitability in your core business before expanding 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/

Gecko Robotics: Revolutionizing Infrastructure Inspections with Robotics – BitBuilders

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Are robots the future of infrastructure safety? This startup’s journey might surprise you. In our first episode of BitBuilders, 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.   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/ —————————— Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:12 Understanding the Built World and Asset Life Cycle 05:47 Focus on Power Boilers and Expansion to Other Structures 13:11 Delivering a Service for Asset Health Clarity 21:52 Selling a Comprehensive Health Map of Assets 23:04 Granular Data and Actionable Maps for Asset Health 25:08 Robotic Inspections and Gathering Data While Assets are Online 26:36 Data-Driven Decision-Making for Asset Lifecycle Management 27:28 Meeting Customer Needs for Novel Inspection Methods 29:14 Using Tech Stack for Future Planning and Thoughtful Decision-Making 30:42 Gecko Robotics’ Small but Mighty Fleet of Robots 32:43 Supply Chain Resilience and Lessons Learned in Manufacturing Robotics 35:33 Gecko Robotics’ Entry into the Public Sector and Focus on Critical Infrastructure 39:34 Working with the US Navy to Improve Ship Maintenance and Construction 46:21 Challenges of Navigating Bureaucracy in the Public Sector 48:11 Advice for Founders in the Built World: Prioritize Customer Problem-Solving

Reality Capture’s $200M Investment: Where’s the Profit? – Mostafa Akbari

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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. 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  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.

Why 2D Design Still Beat 3D & The Surprising Impact of AI on Architectural Firms and Pricing

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Is the future of architecture in 2D, not 3D? Testfit founder’s has got a surprising take… In this episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we learned how TestFit grew from a weekend project to raising a Series A, changing how architects do feasibility studies. We also discovered why small firms might replace big ones like Gensler, as AI changes how architecture works. Patric shared why “outcome as a service” companies are shaking up the construction tech world. Tune in to find out: ✅ Why 2D design might still beat 3D and VR ✅ How AI could change the money side of architecture ✅ Why keeping customers matters more than getting new ones in construction tech ✅ The role of VC money in an industry that rarely reinvests in itself ———————————– Company Mentioned: TestFit Gensler Autodesk Prologis Katera Good Eggs ————————————– 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/ ———————————— Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Background 09:31 Issues with the Design Stack 18:44 The Importance of 2D Design 23:43 Automation and Problem Solving 26:01 Challenges in the Design Stack 26:53 Building Meaningful Automation in AEC 30:07 The Impact of Narratives in the Venture Industry 33:24 The Future of Architecture and Design in an AI-Driven World 34:21 The Potential Fragmentation of the AEC Industry 41:07 Picking VCs and the Importance of Customer Retention

Navitas Capital’s Take on How AI Will Change Construction and Investing – Jenny Song, Principal at Navitas Capital

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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 ———————————- 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  —————————— 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. ————————– 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

Fencing – The Hidden Gold Mine in Construction Tech & Nexii’s Surprising Comeback

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Is the fencing industry secretly one of the most profitable sectors in construction? In this episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we learned about EverFence’s $7.7 million Series A funding, showing strong interest in the fencing market. We also discussed Nexii’s attempt to relaunch after going into liquidation, highlighting the challenges in offsite modular construction. Plus, we got candid insights from Patric on why advice from generalist VCs might be hurting construction tech startups. Tune in to find out: ✅ Why fencing companies can see up to 200% profit margins ✅ The pros and cons of asset-heavy vs. asset-light models in construction ✅ How bad VC advice is affecting construction tech startups ✅ Why founders should be wary of VCs who can’t admit what they don’t know —————————- Company Mentioned: EverFence Ergion Nexii ————————– 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/

McKinsey FINALLY updates their Productivity Curve, & The Future Of Construction – David Rockhill, Partner at McKinsey

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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 —————————— 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 —————————— 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. Visit: https://www.buildvision.io/  —————————— 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

Unicorns, Coast’s $40M Raise, and $34 Billion in Construction Tech Funding – Why Headcount Growth Might Be Misleading

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Construction tech funding is booming, but is it all hype? In this episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we learned about Coast’s impressive $40 million Series B raise for their financial services platform in transportation. We also got insights on the surprising growth in construction tech funding, reaching 0.53% of total venture capital. Plus, we heard a critical take on using headcount growth as a measure of startup success. Tune in to find out about: ✅ Why Coast is attracting big investment ✅ The unexpected trends in construction tech funding ✅ Why unicorns in the sector are both rising and falling ✅ What really matters when evaluating startups (it’s not just numbers) ——————————————————– 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/ ———————————————————— Company Mentioned Coast Brex Veev Nexii Autodesk Trimble FlashTrack Procore ——————– Timestamps 00:00 Intro 00:32 Introduction to Coast: Financial Services Platform for Transportation 06:12 Coast’s Funding and Investors 10:23 Assessing the Viability of Coast’s Target Market 13:42 Analysis of Coast’s Funding Rounds and Revenue Growth 18:07 Discussion on Investor Perceptions and Series B Funding 19:09 Market News: ConstruTech Funding Landscape 23:21 Analysis of Funding Trends in ConstruTech 27:45 Hype and Funding Rounds in Construction Technology 32:18 The Growth of Highly Substantiated Companies 36:26 The Asian Market and Funding Rounds 37:25 The Changing Landscape of Exits 41:41 Headcount Growth as a Metric for Startup Evaluation

Bricks & Bytes Podcast

What Happens When AI Meets the Jobsite: July’s Construction Tech Monthly Roundup

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What if the next construction tech unicorn is bootstrapped and uses AI to revolutionize how we design buildings? Rohan from Joist, 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 (Buildots) on effective go-to-market strategies for startups ✅ Rohan from Joist and Shir 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. ———————– 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

GUEST: Holobuilder’s Path To $34m Exit, Mo Akbari’s Journey Building The Pioneering Reality Capture Tool

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Ever wonder how a startup goes from $8M to a big exit in construction tech? In this episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we learned about HoloBuilder’s journey from raising $8M to being acquired by Faro. We also found out that despite big investments, the reality capture market still has room to grow. Companies like Cupix and Faro are leading, but there’s space for new ideas in robotics and AI. Plus, we got insights on how some VCs are betting on AI startups, hoping to find the next big winner. Tune in to discover: ✅ Why job site pizza beats expensive marketing in construction tech ✅ The potential of scan-to-BIM technology ✅ How some AI startups raise millions with just a pitch deck ✅ Why product adoption matters more than fancy tech in construction Listen to the full episode on Spotify to learn more about construction tech and startup funding strategies. —————————- 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/ —————————- Company Mentioned: Faro Frankfurt Airport Siemens Autodesk Contelio Disperse OpenSpace Cupix Doxel HoloBuilder Matterport Hansel Phelps Buildots ———————– Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Overview 01:09 The Journey of HoloBuilder: From Manufacturing to Construction 08:41 The Go-to-Market Strategy of HoloBuilder 14:20 The Decision to Exit HoloBuilder 23:15 The Three Components of Reality Capture in Construction Tech 28:03 Competition in the Reality Capture Space 35:18 Success Factors in Reality Capture Solutions 39:56 The Evolving Reality Capture Market and Market Leaders 41:33 Funding Challenges and Valuation Drops in Construction Tech 45:26 The Importance of Adoption and User Engagement in Construction Tech 57:34 Niche Markets and Disrupting Workflows in Construction Tech 01:09:43 Building Strong Customer Relationships in the Construction Tech Industry

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