AEC Trailblazers: The Founders Files e-verse

The Power of Knowledge and Effective Management in AEC
This week's podcast delves into the fascinating world Christopher Parsons, Founder and CEO of Knowledge Architecture. Our guest takes us on a surprising career journey, from law school to the world of architecture, ultimately leading him to found a successful software startup.
The conversation highlights the growing importance of capturing and sharing knowledge within AEC firms. This "knowledge architecture" empowers teams to leverage past experiences and best practices, leading to improved efficiency and project outcomes.
One particularly intriguing innovation brought by Christopher is their client community of practice for Synthesis intranet teams called KA Community, informally called a "Community AI”, basically a community knowledge pool, generated by all of their clients that opt in to it. They allowed a scenario where anonymized data from multiple firms is pooled together. This collective intelligence is used to refine search accuracy and generate valuable insights that benefit all participants. It's a powerful example of collaboration driving innovation within the AEC industry.
The episode also acknowledges the overwhelming number of new software options vying for attention in the AEC space. Our guest emphasizes the importance of focusing on solutions that offer clear and demonstrable value, not simply the allure of the latest technology or mere fanaticism for innovation.
Christopher concludes with a heartwarming exploration of what truly fosters employee loyalty. Building a company with a clear purpose, offering remote work flexibility, and fostering a sense of shared ownership through employee stock options all rank high on the list. It's a refreshing reminder that treating employees with trust and respect goes a long way in building a strong and dedicated team.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of AEC. It provides valuable insights into the growing importance of knowledge management, collaboration, and building a thriving work environment that empowers employees.
About Christopher Parsons, Founder and CEO of Knowledge Architecture
As Founder and CEO of Knowledge Architecture, an AEC Startup that builds software, community, and best practices to help AEC firms evolve and grow, Christopher is responsible for product development and organizational health. Founded in 2009, their flagship software product is Synthesis, an AEC intranet platform that integrates with common industry software like Deltek, Unanet, aec360, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Newforma, and OpenAsset.
As a company, every year they host an annual AEC Event, KA Connect, to highlight knowledge management best practices at architecture and engineering firms, a program composed of roundtables, intranet tours, unconference hangouts, outdoor activities, and plenty of unstructured time to connect, reflect, and recharge in the afternoons.
Christopher has been a technology leader in the AEC industry since 2002, including serving as the Chief Information Officer for Steinberg Architects and the Information Technology Director for SMWM (now Perkins+Will).
Christopher has a degree in History from Wake Forest University. He’s an avid reader, trailrunner, birdwatcher, and cook.


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From Bootstrapping to Building Businesses within Entrepreneurship
Dive into the inspiring journey of James Benham, a serial entrepreneur who's also a bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and host of a top-rated podcast. James takes us from his early days all the way to becoming a successful tech entrepreneur.
In this episode, you'll gain valuable insights on navigating the entrepreneurial path. James delves into the critical decision between VC funding and bootstrapping, drawing wisdom from his acclaimed book "Be Your Own VC." He emphasizes the crucial foundation for any successful business: identifying and solving a significant problem for your customers. James doesn't shy away from the challenges, highlighting the hard work and dedication required to achieve the freedom of pursuing your passion.
But the journey isn't solitary. James reveals the importance of building a dream team – a group of talented individuals who trust and work seamlessly together. He explores the differences between product and service companies, offering strategies for securing recurring revenue and maintaining a laser focus on client needs. Don't get caught up in the "shiny object syndrome," James cautions, emphasizing the importance of staying true to your core problem-solving mission.
Join us for this episode packed with invaluable business, professional, and life experiences from James. Be prepared for an impactful journey that will shape your approach to work, learning, and planning your future success!
About James BenhamCo-founder and CEO of JBKnowledge.
James Benham is the co-founder and CEO of JBKnowledge, a multinational technology and consulting company he’s bootstrapped for over 20 years. From his college dorm room to over 280 employees across the USA, Argentina, and South Africa, he has led JBKnowledge to build industry-leading software for the world's largest insurance companies.
James is also the co-founder of Terra, a disruptive insurance tech product. Terra is a cloud-based claims management software that improves claim outcomes for providers and consumers of Property and Casualty (P&C) insurance.
James is the creator and co-host of the growing and top-rated show, The InsurTech Geek Podcast, where he interviews leading industry experts from some of the most recognized companies in the world.
A passionate bootstrapped entrepreneur, James is the best-selling author of Be Your Own VC: 10 Bootstrapping Principles to Generate Cash and Keep Control, his debut book. In Be Your Own VC, James shares how bootstrapping led his tech company to a multimillion-dollar exit and the freedom to build what they love.
James is a sought-after consultant and speaker at the forefront of innovation in the insurance industry. His bold ideas and love for technology have landed him keynote opportunities at over 400 conference stages including The Future of Insurance USA and TEDx. James has served as an elected city councilman, an adjunct professor at Texas A&M University and currently serves the state of Texas as a Regent on the governing board of Texas Southern University. In his spare time, James pursues many hobbies including flying airplanes, ballroom dancing, playing guitar, singing, and geeking out on tech.


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Hacking the AEC with Smart Connections & Data
This episode of the AEC Trailblazers: The Founders Files dives into the story of Havard Vasshaug, the founder of two impressive startups: Anker and Reope. We'll hear about his path from his early days working in the tech industry after college to his current role leading innovative companies.
Along the way, Havard shares valuable lessons learned throughout his extensive career. He emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships ("pumping into amazing people") from the very beginning. These connections, especially the Bad Monkeys network, he reveals, played a crucial role in his success.
No journey is without its challenges, and Havard doesn't shy away from discussing the difficulties of salesmanship - "the most difficult job on the planet". He'll offer insights into the art of convincing people to invest in your creation.
Fundraising also gets a spotlight. Havard discusses the challenges of securing capital (currently in their second round) and the strategic allocation of those funds to fuel optimal growth for the company.
As a leader, Havard prioritizes fostering a motivated team. He believes that a team united by a shared purpose can achieve anything. He emphasizes the importance of empowering his employees through autonomy, steering clear of micromanagement.
By sharing his experiences as a tech-driven leader in the AEC industry, Havard offers valuable business best practices and leadership strategies that listeners can apply to their own endeavors.
This episode is packed with insights for anyone looking to build a successful career in the tech industry or for those seeking leadership inspiration. Tune in and learn from the inspiring journey of Havard!
About Havard VasshaugFounder of Anker, Reope, and Bad Monkeys
Havard is a prominent figure in the AEC industry, with a unique blend of architectural passion and engineering expertise. Over his 20+ year career, he has held various roles, starting as an engineer and BIM manager, before diving into design technology.
In 2014, Havard's entrepreneurial spirit emerged. He co-founded Bad Monkeys, a network that aimed to revolutionize the AEC industry by promoting visual programming for BIM-native architects and engineers. This network, led by a group of visionary industry leaders, inspired a generation of AEC designers to embrace coding. The impact of Bad Monkeys continues to be felt today, having served as a springboard for over 8 AEC startups. Havard himself has been deeply involved in 3 of them.
In 2014, Havard co-founded Bad Monkeys, a global team of BIM and programming experts dedicated to empowering professionals with custom digital workflows. Building on this success, he co-founded Reope in 2018, a software company where architects and engineers code to develop better tools for AEC projects and processes. He served as CEO of Reope until 2022.
Havard remains actively involved with both Bad Monkeys and Reope as a board member. His entrepreneurial journey continues with Anker, a new startup he co-founded in early 2023. Anker tackles the challenge of low AEC productivity by providing a powerful cloud-based solution for generating, validating, and automating BIM data.


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From Whale of an Idea to Software Giant: The John Walker and AutoCAD StoryThis episode of the AEC Trailblazers: The Founders Files, pays tribute to John Walker, the visionary who founded Autodesk and AutoCAD, the software that transformed design by making it digital and accessible. John, who passed away earlier this year, left an indelible mark on our industry and the way we work every day.
We'll delve into John's life story, from the early days of Autodesk to witnessing its incredible transformation. Back then, this "AEC startup" (though we wouldn't have called it that at the time!) was just a whale of an idea. In 1982, a pivotal trade show moment shifted the company's focus to AutoCAD, sparking a success story fueled by unexpected turns and remarkable adaptation. This agility became the cornerstone of building a software giant.
AutoCAD’s evolution reflects its constant dedication to improvement. From early 2D drafting to 3D modeling, mobile access, and AI integration, the software has consistently stayed relevant, keeping pace with ever-changing design needs.
Join us as we celebrate John's legacy, which lives through the continued development of Autodesk, as well as the impact of his futuristic visions on various fields.

About John Walker, co-founder of AutodeskJohn Walker was an American computer programmer, author, and co-founder of the computer-aided design software company Autodesk. He was later recognized for his writing on his website Fourmilab.
In 1982, John Walker and 12 other programmers pooled US$59,000 to start Autodesk, and began working on several computer applications. The first completed was AutoCAD, a software application for computer-aided design (CAD) and drafting.
The company went public in 1985. By mid-1986, the company had grown to 255 employees with annual sales of over $40 million. That year, Walker resigned as chairman and president of the company, continuing to work as a programmer. In 1989, Walker's book, The Autodesk File, was published. It describes his experiences at Autodesk, based around internal documents (particularly email) of the company.
Walker moved to Switzerland in 1991. By 1994, when he resigned from the company, it was the sixth-largest personal computer software company in the world, primarily from the sales of AutoCAD. Walker owned more than 850,000 shares of Autodesk at the time of his departure.
After Autodesk, John published on his personal domain, "Fourmi Lab". On his Web site, Walker published about his personal projects, including a hardware random number generator called HotBits, along with software that he wrote and freely distributed, such as his Earth and Moon viewer.


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A Story of Lifelong Learning and Business Success in AEC
In this episode of AEC Trailblazers: The Founders Files, we meet industry veteran Steve Dell'Orto. Steve's journey is nothing short of inspiring. He rose from intern to lead one of the largest US general contractors, averaging $5-6 billion annually! Now, he's a successful investor and entrepreneur in the ConTech scene.
Steve shares invaluable insights on career development and business acumen. He emphasizes lifelong learning over simply climbing the corporate ladder. He recounts his transition from the corporate world to the world of venture capital, where his expertise guides investment decisions. Steve focuses on startups solving real problems in the AEC industry with scalable solutions and visionary leadership.
He also discusses his involvement with the "Build by Builders Network," a group of industry veterans aiming to make a significant impact. This network emphasizes customer focus, utilizing a customer advisory board to gather feedback before development begins. Steve believes the most successful companies pay close attention to industry trends and deliver intuitive, user-friendly solutions – think Apple for construction!
Finally, Steve dives into ConCntric, the preconstruction platform that he co-founded and leads. Recognizing the fragmented nature of preconstruction, ConCntric unifies data, people, and processes to transform the industry.
Listen to this episode for exclusive insights you won't find anywhere else. Steve's experience and vision are pure gold for anyone in AEC.

About Steve Dell'Orto, Founder & CEO of ConCntric
Steve Dell’Orto is the founder and CEO of ConCntric, a preconstruction platform that is transforming the fractured preconstruction environment by unifying data, people and processes. ConCntric acts as a single source of truth for all preconstruction stakeholders by providing a dynamic view of the project that ensures a certainty of outcome. As a 26-year construction industry veteran who has lived and breathed the world of delivering preconstruction projects, Steve is uniquely positioned to bring digital transformation to the industry. Steve is the former Executive Officer of one of the largest privately-owned, domestic general contractors in the U.S. with revenues averaging $5-6 billion annually. As the Executive Officer, Steve led the major expansion of his former company’s Western Region including the Northern California and Pacific Northwest division achieving 10x growth and increasing margins by over 40% through a committed focus on selective work acquisition and a more comprehensive preconstruction process. Some of the notable projects completed under Steve’s leadership include the: Golden State Warriors Arena and Development, Salesforce Tower, Facebook’s San Francisco Park Tower, Seattle Convention Center Expansion, Manchester Grand Hyatt, LA County Museum of Art Expansion and the LA Live Development among many others. Steve is committed to leveraging his 30 years in the industry to advance the level of innovation and technological advancement in the real estate and construction sector. In addition to the change he is driving through ConCntric, Steve is an investor and venture partner in several construction-tech focused venture capital funds including Builders VC and Argonautic Ventures. Steve is also an Advisor to eight emerging construction-tech focused startups bringing a wide range of solutions in areas such as autonomy, fintech, work acquisition, change order communication, project communication, marketplaces and artificial intelligence. Since launching ConCntric in 2021, Steve has built a dynamic global team and secured support from strategic and notable investors. Steve and his team are on a mission to make the built world more affordable, predictable and sustainable, and are uniquely positioned to transform the future for the construction and real estate industry.
Steve is married with 2 daughters, one about to go

The Power of Consolidation in a Fragmented Software Industry
This episode of the AEC Trailblazers: The Founders Files features Matt Perrott, a passionate Melbourne surfer and civil engineer turned software guru. Matt co-founded a company with his former boss's boss, proving great ideas can come from anywhere. He shares his journey of launching BuildPass, a construction software business during COVID, tackling the challenge of managing complex construction sites with never-ending communication needs and changing projects.
Dive into Matt's philosophy on entrepreneurship, including his views on balancing resources with client feedback, making decisions out of data, versus following your intuition and gut, and the commercial pros and cons of building features mostly based on client input.
Listen to Matt as he reveals how BuildPass transformed from a safety app into an operating system for construction sites. This cloud-based software streamlines operations by replacing a jumble of traditional apps, emails, and paperwork.
Don't miss Matt's inspiring story and how BuildPass is consolidating the construction tech landscape!
About Matt Perrott
Switching from civil engineering to the software world, Matt has always been fascinated by construction tech. In 2021 along with Aaron Vanston, he co-founded BuildPass, a cloud-based software that helps businesses streamline their operations by replacing traditional apps, emails, and paperwork, serving as an operating system for construction sites. Before BuildPass, Matt worked as a software engineer in tech companies and served as a tutor at the University of Melbourne.
Most of his time is spent with builders and subcontractors brainstorming better ways to manage safety, but when he's not he'll be finding his way to the coast for a surf. His passion for the water has driven him to support as head water polo coach and club captain of the Portsea Surf Life Saving Club.


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