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

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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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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

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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:

• The unique origin story of how three unlikely partners came together to create a global powerhouse in construction tech investing
• Foundamental’s contrarian approach to building a truly global VC firm focused on construction and AEC (Architecture, Engineering, Construction) tech
• Insights into the firm’s investment strategy, decision-making process, and how they leverage their global presence for superior returns
• The compelling macro and micro factors driving innovation in the construction industry
• How Foundamental balances diverse personalities and skillsets to create a high-performing ‘wolf pack’ of investors
• Their unconventional approach to fund size and LP relationships that maximizes potential for outsized returns

Also, if you sign up for our newsletter, we’re giving away TEN 50% off coupon codes. Sign up now: https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/subscribe

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 02:00 Introduction and Background 04:12 Understanding the Built World and Asset Life Cycle 07:47 Focus on Power Boilers and Expansion to Other Structures 15:11 Delivering a Service for Asset Health Clarity 23:52 Selling a Comprehensive Health Map of Assets 25:04 Granular Data and Actionable Maps for Asset Health 27:08 Robotic Inspections and Gathering Data While Assets are Online 28:36 Data-Driven Decision-Making for Asset Lifecycle Management 29:28 Meeting Customer Needs for Novel Inspection Methods 31:14 Using Tech Stack for Future Planning and Thoughtful Decision-Making 32:42 Gecko Robotics' Small but Mighty Fleet of Robots 34:43 Supply Chain Resilience and Lessons Learned in Manufacturing Robotics 37:33 Gecko Robotics' Entry into the Public Sector and Focus on Critical Infrastructure 41:34 Working with the US Navy to Improve Ship Maintenance and Construction 48:21 Challenges of Navigating Bureaucracy in the Public Sector 50:11 Advice for Founders in the Built World: Prioritize Customer Problem-Solving

"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

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/

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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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.

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