Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes

Bricks And Bytes, Patric Hellermann, Dustin Devan
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Industry leaders Patric Hellermann, Dustin Devan, Martin Piekarz & Owen Drury sit down each week to explore tech, news, and trends within the AEC sector. Each week we debate the macro economic issues within the industry and how they those working and building within AEC. Hot takes only.

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    NEOM Cancelled, 21K Dead, SoftBank's $5.4B Bet, Track3D Raises $10M

    Is Saudi Arabia's $500B Dream Dead? Plus: The $5.4B Robotics Deal That Changes Everything In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Owen, Martin, and Patric dive into the biggest construction and tech stories shaking up the industry right now. What we cover: NEOM's collapse - Why Saudi Arabia is pulling the plug on "The Line" and what it means for construction startups in the region (spoiler: 21,000 workers died building this dream) SoftBank's massive $5.4B bet - Breaking down the ABB Robotics acquisition and what "physical AI" really means for construction The humanoid vs. specialized robots debate - Which will actually take over construction sites first? Calvin from CrewScope on using gamification to boost worker productivity (yes, leaderboards for drywallers are real) NK from Track3D reveals how they raised $10M to turn reality capture data into instant project insights - no BIM model required The AI circus continues - From OpenAI "killing 1000 startups" to Nvidia's brilliant financing scheme with xAI Key quote: "People have been trying solutions for so long. I don't think it's on the industry - they've been trying. It's on us as technology providers. Our technology is not simple enough." - NK Chaitanya, Track3D Plus: Owen somehow gets invited to speak at an RICS conference after failing their exam three times. Sometimes persistence beats credentials. Our Sponsor: Archdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.com BuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.io Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:15 Introduction and Personal Insights on Health Tracking 04:01 The Impact of Technology on Health and Well-being 07:22 Exploring the Neom Project and Its Challenges 09:55 The Future of Neom and Its Implications for Startups 12:43 Investor Perspectives on Government-Funded Projects 16:02 The Robotics Acquisition and Market Dynamics 24:27 Understanding the Robotics Value Chain 29:17 The Impact of Chinese Robotics on Western Markets 30:49 SoftBank's Strategic Acquisition of ABB Robotics 32:45 The Future of Robotics in Construction 34:19 AI's Influence on the Robotics Industry 39:49 Exploring CrewScope's Innovative Approach to Construction 52:43 Building Partnerships in the Construction Industry 53:11 Transformative Labor Savings in Construction 55:01 Building Partnerships for Innovation 55:13 Behavioral Change in Technology Adoption 56:27 Automating Construction Monitoring with Track3D 58:11 Expanding Go-To-Market Strategies 59:59 Simplicity in Reality Capture Solutions 01:01:41 Customer Preparedness and Market Dynamics 01:04:34 The Role of Technology in Construction Verification 01:06:43 Pricing Strategies for Construction Technology 01:08:47 Global Team Dynamics in Tech Development 01:09:49 The Future of Construction Technology

    1h 16m

  2. 3 OCT

    $500k Salaries for Mechanics, VC’s Getting Defrauded, DOT Causes Chaos

    "You give me money, and I tell you, 'I'm going to circle back in 18 months and let you know what I did with your money.' That's what a safe note is." In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Martin, Mike Powers, Dustin DeVan, and Patric Hellermann dive into the messy reality of construction tech funding, government policy shakeups, and the AI hype that's burning through millions. Key topics discussed: The brutal truth about EU vs US startup ecosystems and where the smart money is going Why safe notes are "stupid money" and how founders are getting away with zero accountability Charlie Javis sentenced to 7 years for defrauding JPMorgan with fake user numbers Construction AI is boring: why every startup is chasing the same chatbot dream Department of Transportation's new ruling that just invalidated 40,000+ DBE certifications overnight Heavy equipment mechanics earning $500K through on-demand platforms while dealers pay them $80K Plus, guest interviews with: Alex Kraft, founder of Heave, on disrupting the $180/hour equipment repair racket Wissam Akra, CEO of Toughleaf, breaking down the DOT policy bomb that's reshaping billions in infrastructure contracts "Think about how absolutely stupid that method is. You come to me, you offer me money, and I tell you, 'I'm going to circle back in 18 months and let you know what I did with your money.' That's what a safe note is."  From government shutdowns to mechanics making half a million on an app, this episode exposes what's really happening behind the scenes in construction tech. -------------- Our Sponsor: Archdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.com Chapters 00:00 Intro01:35 Introduction and Government Shutdown Discussion04:07 Comparing EU and US Startups05:29 The Future of Startups in the EU08:29 Investment Trends in the US and EU11:00 Challenges in Construction Tech Across Borders14:06 Transactional Models and Regional Specificity15:41 Startup Ecosystems in Construction17:17 The Future of Construction Tech Startups18:23 AI in Pre-Construction and Its Limitations22:24 Fraud in Startups: A Cautionary Tale30:52 Introducing HEAVE: A Marketplace for Heavy Equipment Repairs38:19 Transforming an Antiquated Industry40:39 Service Agreements and Customer Trust42:16 Innovative Pricing Models in Equipment Maintenance47:46 Changes in DBE Certification and Its Impact55:31 The Future of Construction Tech and Compliance

    1h 1m

  3. 26 SEPT

    $94M Fundraising Record, New Procore CEO, Oracle Push, Zoom Kills Careers

    This female founder just broke a construction tech record that no one saw coming In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Owen, Dustin, Maria, Kevin, and Stjepan dive deep into the biggest moves shaking up construction tech right now. Key topics discussed: - Maria Davidson's historic $94M fundraise - the most ever raised by a female founder in construction tech - Why mixing venture capital with strategic partnerships is the secret sauce for growth  - Procore's surprising new CEO choice and what it means for the industry - Oracle's aggressive push into construction tech and the M&A war heating up - Why Zoom is killing your career and you need to get back to face-to-face meetings - The hidden AI revolution happening in construction companies (that management doesn't know about) - Data center boom creating massive opportunities and risks for contractors - How to build authentic relationships that actually close enterprise deals Key quote:"I'm very surprised by this selection because this person was already on the board of Procore where Procore has been stagnant since they went IPO. You've been sitting at the table the entire time and the stock's done nothing." - Dustin on Procore's new CEO pick From record-breaking fundraises to controversial leadership decisions, this episode reveals the power moves and industry secrets that are reshaping construction tech forever. ----------------- Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:25 Introduction and Technical Difficulties 04:08 Celebrating Investment Success 07:13 The Value of Strategic vs. Venture Capital 10:04 Hiring and Building a Strong Team 13:08 The Importance of Candidate Experience 16:16 Future Plans and Market Expansion 19:11 Navigating Industry Challenges and Opportunities 25:51 Navigating the Solar Industry and Employment Challenges 28:09 Strategic Partnerships and Investment in Construction Tech 30:55 Innovations in Project Management and Supply Chain Solutions 34:26 Procore's New Leadership and Industry Implications 43:24 Oracle's Strategic Positioning in Construction Tech 45:30 M&A Activity in Construction Tech 46:30 Oracle's Strategic Moves 48:18 The Importance of Community in Construction Tech 49:22 The Future of Major Players in Construction Tech 50:26 Building Relationships Beyond Zoom 56:17 Cultural Considerations in Business 01:00:25 AI in AEC: Perspectives and Opportunities 01:04:22 Building a Business Around AI 01:08:28 The Power of Authentic Communication ---------- 🎧 Listen to the Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3P7JkiN9X3N4Kh6jlDsOgi?si=91JP5nxvQbKStkp8AQdAOg 📩 Subscribe to the Bricks & Bytes Newsletter: https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/ 🌐 Visit our website: http://bricks-bytes.com/ 📲 Follow us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/ Twitter: https://x.com/bricksbytespod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/ Sponsors: BuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.io Archdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.com Enjoying the insights? Hit that Subscribe button to stay ahead in construction tech, AI, and the future of how we build.

    1h 16m

  4. 19 SEPT

    Live from AU, Hosts World Travels, University Entrepreneurship Culture, NFL Insider

    In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Owen reports live from Autodesk University in Nashville while Martin shares insights from ETH Zurich's startup conference and Patrick breaks down why popular AI bubble theories are dead wrong. Key Topics Discussed: Why European universities systematically crush entrepreneurial thinking The truth behind construction tech's massive funding rounds (80-120M per quarter) How to spot real market bubbles vs. media hype around AI stocks Why hardware startups face an uphill battle against venture capital preferences The innovation crisis at large tech companies like Autodesk Patrick's exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the LA Rams stadium Martin's analysis of timber-earth construction panels and venture backability Key Quote: "You're basically being taught all the time to stay within reason. And if you want to build a really awesome company, you have to be going against the grain and doing things that other people will call you crazy for." - Patric on why universities fail at creating entrepreneurs From concrete innovation to NFL stadium construction secrets, this episode exposes the uncomfortable truths about where construction technology is really headed.

    47 min

  5. 12 SEPT

    Oracle $100B Hour, AI Government Fail, OpenSpace CEO, Barefoot Office Debate

    Oracle's CEO Just Made $100 Billion in One Hour While Your Government Wastes Millions on AI That Doesn't Work In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Owen, Dustin, and Martin dive deep into the wild world of tech promises, government failures, and what's really happening behind the scenes in construction technology. Key Topics: Oracle's shocking $300 billion OpenAI deal and Larry Ellison's instant $100 billion windfall Why the UK government's Microsoft Copilot trial was a complete disaster The brutal truth about why companies keep buying expensive software that doesn't work OpenSpace CEO Jeevan Kalanithi reveals how reality capture is evolving beyond just taking pictures Whether going barefoot in the office makes you a genius or just weird Why pre-construction technology is decades behind field management tools The real reason AI won't save construction anytime soon Special guest Jeevan Kalanithi from OpenSpace joins to discuss their major Waypoint conference announcements and shares his thoughts on the AI race in construction. Key Quote: "No one's ever going to get fired because they bought Microsoft or Oracle. That's why Microsoft Teams is everywhere, even though it's trash." - Dustin From billion-dollar stock moves to taxpayer waste to the future of building, this episode exposes the gap between tech hype and construction reality. Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:45 Introduction and Travel Updates 04:37 Oracle's Rise and AI Partnerships 07:32 Oracle's Financial Forecast and Market Impact 10:26 Productivity Trials and Microsoft 365 Co-Pilot 13:05 Government Trials and AI in Planning 15:52 Debate on Office Attire and Footwear 27:44 The Importance of Company Culture 30:13 Fashion and Professionalism in the Workplace 34:46 Funding Announcements and Market Dynamics 41:20 Reality Capture and Its Future in Construction 55:20 Trends in RealityCapture 59:11 The Importance of Data Consolidation 01:02:11 Safety and Progress Tracking in Construction 01:07:02 Navigating Competition in the Market 01:09:58 The Role of AI in RealityCapture 01:13:50 Future Directions and Company Vision

    1h 25m

  6. 5 SEPT

    Microsoft's $10M AEC Gamble, Autodesk $1.7B Earnings, Nemetscheck Acquires AI Startup

    Microsoft just bet $10M on construction AI - but industry insiders think it's a massive mistake. In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Owen, Patrick, and Dustin dive into the biggest tech moves shaking up construction while welcoming guests from two hot startups that just raised millions. Key topics discussed: Microsoft's massive $10M AI bet with Balfour Beatty - and why some think it's overpriced Bluebeam acquires Firmus AI in a surprising exit story Autodesk's crushing $1.7B earnings that made investors very happy Why Figma's stock crashed despite good earnings OneCrew raises $7.5M to modernize paving contractors BuildFactory's $3.3M raise for prefab marketplace (plus an epic stealth mode fail) OpenAI's ironic $400K job posting for a content strategist "Those are amazing companies, but both those pieces of software need to be shot behind the tool shed. Like they are so old." - Dustin DeVan on legacy construction software From billion-dollar acquisitions to startup war stories, this episode reveals what's really happening behind the scenes in construction tech - including how one founder got exposed by a LinkedIn web scraper and why some think Microsoft is charging contractors way too much for basic AI tools. Our Sponsor: Archdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.com BuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.io 4M Analytics - Instant, reliable utility data you can trust and verify - https://www.4manalytics.com/ Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:26 Introduction and Martin's Travels 03:11 Microsoft's Investment in AI for Construction 15:48 Acquisition of Firmus AI by Bluebeam 23:50 Autodesk's Latest Earnings Report 29:22 Earnings Insights and Market Reactions 32:20 Autodesk's Strategic Shifts and Growth Potential 34:24 Figma's Earnings and Market Positioning 37:11 Figma's AI Initiatives and Future Directions 51:05 OneCrew's Innovative Approach to Paving Software 01:01:00 AI in Construction: The Future of Scheduling and Management 01:04:37 Navigating the Challenges of Selling to Government Agencies 01:05:42 Britton Langdon's Journey: From Stealth to Startup 01:07:40 The Prefabrication Marketplace: Bridging Supply and Demand 01:14:22 Quality Control in Prefabrication: Ensuring Standards 01:20:12 Defining Prefab: Strategies for Cost and Efficiency

    1h 26m

  7. 29 AUG

    Robotics Mega Show with Dusty Robotics and ex-Waymo exec & CTO of Bedrock Robotics

    Why these ex-Waymo engineers decided to conquer construction with their new startup, Bedrock Robotics. In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Owen and Patrick dive deep into the robotics revolution hitting construction with two industry-changing guests.  Mo joins as co-host, bringing his Silicon Valley robotics expertise to unpack the biggest funding rounds and breakthroughs happening right now. Key topics discussed: - Why Dusty Robotics chose layout printing over flashier robot applications - How ex-Waymo engineers are retrofitting excavators with self-driving tech - The brutal truth about why most construction robotics startups failWhy accuracy is becoming the ultimate moat in construction robotics - How labor shortages are forcing the industry to embrace automation - The surprising lesson from building 60 robots in-house before outsourcing - Why Field AI's $405 million funding signals a tipping point for the industry - How construction sites are actually the perfect training ground for real-world robotics Key quote: "Obviously everything's going to be built by robots in the future." - Tessa Lau, Dusty Robotics Featuring Tessa Lau, founder of Dusty Robotics (the most respected robotics company in construction tech), and Kevin Peterson, CTO of Bedrock Robotics (fresh out of stealth with $80 million to automate heavy machinery). This episode reveals why construction might be the key to unlocking robotics everywhere else. 🎧 Listen to the Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3P7JkiN9X3N4Kh6jlDsOgi?si=91JP5nxvQbKStkp8AQdAOg 📩 Subscribe to the Bricks & Bytes Newsletter: https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/ 🌐 Visit our website: http://bricks-bytes.com/ 📲 Follow us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/ Twitter: https://x.com/bricksbytespod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/ Sponsors: BuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.io 4M Analytics - Instant, reliable utility data you can trust and verify - https://www.4manalytics.com/ Enjoying the insights? Hit that Subscribe button to stay ahead in construction tech, AI, and the future of how we build. Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:06 Introduction to Robotics in Construction 03:53 Current Trends and Sentiments in Robotics 06:45 Barriers to Adoption in Robotics 09:40 Autonomy vs. Collaboration in Robotics 12:40 Field AI and Its Impact on Construction 15:29 Dusty Robotics: Revolutionizing Job Sites 18:18 The Future of Construction with Robotics 21:04 Challenges in Construction Tech 23:53 The Importance of User Experience in Robotics 26:55 Lessons Learned from Robotics Development 29:36 The Role of Accuracy in Robotics 32:50 Proprietary Hardware vs. Off-the-Shelf Solutions 39:43 Prototyping and Time to Market 42:40 Manufacturing Challenges in Robotics 44:46 Adoption of Robotics in Construction 46:23 Pricing Strategies for Hardware 47:41 Building a Thriving SaaS Business 49:20 Transitioning from Self-Driving Cars to Construction 53:30 Unique Product Offerings in Construction Robotics 56:29 Collaboration Between Humans and Machines 59:24 Adapting to Change in Construction 01:11:09 The Future of Robotics in Construction

    1h 17m

  8. 22 AUG

    Construction Productivity Myths, UAE Real Estate, TIMES VC Rankings, with Barton Malow

    In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Owen, Martin, Dustin, and Patric dive deep into the biggest misconceptions shaking up construction and venture capital. Plus, we're joined by Victor Muchiri from Barton Malow (a $5 billion general contractor) who reveals what tech actually works in the field. What we cover: Why Dubai developers are bringing $19 billion worth of construction in-house (and whether this trend will hit the West) The shocking truth about that McKinsey productivity chart everyone uses in pitch decks Why 8 out of 10 construction companies can't even define what a "project" is Time Magazine's controversial VC rankings that reward management fees over actual returns Victor's insider perspective on which construction technologies actually deliver results The Pablo Escobar business model lesson that might change how you think about valuations Key quote: "Construction companies can't even define what a project is. Eight different customers cannot define internally what a project is. One customer had eight different definitions. This is your business - the project is the equivalent of the order in manufacturing." - Patric From Sequoia being mysteriously absent from "top VC" lists to why rats eating cash might be better than some investment strategies, this episode challenges everything you think you know about construction productivity, venture capital, and business models. ------------ Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Awkward Beginnings 03:08 Dubai's In-House Construction Trend 11:01 The Best Owner Logic in M&A 18:40 Market Dynamics and Developer Strategies 21:19 Construction Productivity and Industry Comparisons 30:45 Luxury and Value in Construction 32:09 The Economics of Markup and Intangible Assets 34:32 Current Trends in the UK Construction Market 36:02 Introduction to Barton Mello and Its Operations 38:36 Innovations in Construction Technology 41:31 Data Strategies in Construction 45:10 Defining Projects in Construction 49:59 Standardization Challenges in Construction 53:15 Engaging with Startups in Construction Technology 54:35 Navigating AEC Tech Startups 56:01 The Importance of Industry Expertise 57:09 Defining Success in Venture Capital 58:36 Exploring America's Top Venture Capital Firms 59:53 Evaluating Venture Capital Performance 01:01:42 Critiquing the Scoring Criteria of VC Firms 01:04:49 The Role of Sequoia in Venture Capital 01:08:25 Understanding the Power Law in VC Investments 01:10:19 The Impact of Management Fees on VC Performance 01:13:13 The Purpose Behind Controversial Lists 01:15:33 Top Podcasts and Their Influence

    1h 17m
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About

Industry leaders Patric Hellermann, Dustin Devan, Martin Piekarz & Owen Drury sit down each week to explore tech, news, and trends within the AEC sector. Each week we debate the macro economic issues within the industry and how they those working and building within AEC. Hot takes only.

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  • Creator
    Bricks And Bytes, Patric Hellermann, Dustin Devan
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    61
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Bricks And Bytes, Patric Hellermann, Dustin Devan
  • Show Website
    Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes

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