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. 2D AGO

    nPlan Raises £11.9M Series B, AI Agents Lack Evals Crisis, WhatsApp Dominates 90% Site Communication

    "Most AI Agents Will Die" - Why This CTO Is Terrified About What's Coming In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, hosts Owen Drury, Martin, and Patric Hellermann sit down with some of construction tech's boldest builders who aren't holding back. Fresh off massive funding rounds and hard-won lessons, they reveal what's really happening behind the hype. What we cover: - nPlan's £11.9M Series B - Alan Mosca (CTO) explains why they accidentally solved molecule generation while building scheduling AI - Factors' $56M raise - How they're financing $250-300M of construction work annually (and the "trick" banks don't want you to know) - The AI agent apocalypse - Why lack of evaluation frameworks will "kill off most agents" - WhatsApp is eating construction tech - 90% of site communication happens here, and smart founders are finally paying attention - Smart glasses revolution - Why this could be as transformative as mobile phones on construction sites - AI consultancies without humans - The controversial future of PM firms charging on outcomes, not hours - Why one founder stopped fundraising - "Customer money is the best capital" and why raising is a "massive distraction" - 5 accelerators, 5 lessons - Prakash Senghani (Navatech) on contradictory advice and what actually works in the Middle East - Regional pricing secrets - Why per-user pricing fails in the UAE and what to do instead Key Quote: "I think we're getting to a stage where AI is going to become like the internet, right? You don't tell people that my app runs on the internet. That's obvious. You're going to get to a stage where your app has AI. Yeah, that's obvious, right? What are you doing with it? What's the outcome?" - Prakash Senghani Featuring: Alan Mosca (nPlan CTO), Nitin Bhandari (Planera), and Prakash Senghani (Navatech) 🎧 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. Chapters 00:00 Intro 02:12 Introduction and Guest Introduction 04:61 Funding News and Company Growth 08:03 Technological Innovations in Scheduling 10:40 Generative Models and Unexpected Discoveries 13:31 Developing Custom Models for Specific Tasks 16:24 The Importance of Data and Research 19:08 Convergence of Machine Learning Techniques 22:13 AI Skepticism and Misuse 24:52 The Future of AI in Construction Tech 28:08 Collaborative Scheduling and User Experience 30:57 Evaluating AI Performance 33:36 Insights from Nitin on Data Center Construction 36:32 Planera's Unique Approach to Scheduling 39:28 The Role of AI in Scheduling 42:20 Lessons from Past Collaborative Tools 45:18 The Future of Scheduling Technology 46:33 Introduction and Context Setting 47:25 Navigating Growing Pains in Business 48:17 The Role of AI in Business Operations 49:44 Understanding the Product and Its Impact 51:14 Practical Applications of AI in Safety 54:45 Target Customers and Market Strategy 55:48 Shifting Gears: The Future of Construction Tech 1:00:17 The Evolution of Software and Company Structures 1:04:09 Current Business Climate in the Region 1:06:13 The Rise of Construction Tech Startups 1:10:05 Experiences with Accelerators 1:15:39 Pricing Strategies for Startups 1:18:41 Conclusion and Future Outlook

    1h 29m

  2. OCT 24

    Procore’s AI Bomb, Should VCs Pick Ideas, Revolutionary Site Layout Tool

    Last week at Groundbreak, Procore launched Helix AI Agents claiming to make startups like Trunk Tools and Datagrid "obsolete overnight." In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Owen, Martin, Dustin, and Patric dives into one of the most controversial questions in startup investing: Should founders ask VCs for business ideas? In this episode: Why asking investors for startup ideas means you're already losing The real reason big corporations can never innovate from within Where the truth about building outlier businesses actually lies Why construction tech is heating up right now (and nobody knows what's coming) The Procore AI agent announcement that's shaking up the industry How to find insights that actually matter (hint: it's not from VCs) The Brutal Reality: "If a VC had such a unique insight on that business, it would almost be a compelling enough reason to leave their job to pursue it because those things are so special and so rare" The construction tech arena is heating up. Big announcements. Bold claims. But who's actually solving real problems? If you're building in construction tech, this episode reveals the playbook no one's talking about. Watch the full breakdown before everyone else figures it out. Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:32 Introduction to Business Ideas and AI Agents 04:21 The Role of Investors in Business Ideation 07:26 The Nature of Outlier Businesses 10:05 The Limitations of VC Insights 13:01 The Impact of New Browsers on Market Dynamics 15:54 Procore's AI Agent Announcement and Industry Reactions 18:51 Comparing Procore with Competitors 28:01 Procore's Evolving Submittal Process 29:04 Market Dominance and Industry Assumptions 29:45 AI's Role in Construction Tech 30:59 Data Activation Challenges 32:10 The Importance of Data Connectivity 33:54 Market Power and Vendor Lock-in 34:23 Assumptions in the Construction Tech Landscape 35:34 Tracy's Insights on Startup Strategies 36:44 Defensibility in Construction Tech 38:28 Collaboration and Network Effects 39:20 Introduction to Mechasys 40:07 Innovative Layout Solutions 42:29 As-Built Documentation and Modifications 44:29 Comparing Layout Solutions 46:15 Hardware Development and Manufacturing 49:20 Accuracy and Cost Competitiveness 51:39 Understanding BOM Costs in Manufacturing 54:32 Product Versatility and Customer Needs 55:23 Innovations in Construction Management Software 01:00:06 Challenges Faced by Residential Contractors 01:04:21 The Importance of Estimating in Construction 01:08:04 Navigating the Competitive Landscape of Construction Tech

    1h 15m

  3. OCT 17

    Buildots Acquisition, Procore Groundbreak’s Awkward Week, Pre-Con Is On Fire

    Buildots acquired workforce tracking company Genda – combining progress monitoring with real-time worker data in a way their competitors can't match. In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Owen, Martin, Patric, and Dustin dig into the week's biggest stories in construction tech, from strategic acquisitions to what actually happened at Groundbreak. Key topics discussed: Why Buildots bought Genda and how tracking workforce alongside progress creates a competitive edge (especially for catching inflated change orders) Dustin's firsthand account of Procore's Groundbreak keynote – an hour about AI agents, but almost nothing about solving real construction problems The awkward moment when Tooey handed over CEO duties, and why the transition felt rushed and unprepared Luigi La Corte from Provision explains how skimping on branding early hurt their credibility with customers (even while being capital efficient) A proper argument about 2D takeoffs: Dustin thinks they'll be commoditized, Luigi defends why 99% accuracy matters Candid Intelligence's claim they can compress years of pre-construction work into hours (and what that actually means) The reality that contractors will never blindly trust AI quantities – and for good reason "If you don't do your own branding early, someone else will do your branding for you." – Luigi La Corte, Provision Dustin also teases some Groundbreak gossip he can't share yet. You'll have to wait until next week. Sponsors: 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 01:30 Introduction to BuildDots and Recent Acquisition 04:32 The Importance of Workforce Tracking in Construction 07:23 Challenges in Merging Progress and Workforce Tracking 10:21 Insights on Acquisition Strategies and Market Dynamics 13:30 Evaluating the Impact of Acquisitions on Competitive Landscape 16:25 Procore and Autodesk: A Shift Towards AI 19:12 Leadership Transition and Strategic Vision at Procore 29:01 Introduction and Recent Developments 30:49 Debate on Commoditization of Construction Tech 33:58 The Importance of Data Sets in Estimation 37:03 Challenges in Achieving Accuracy in Construction Estimates 40:56 The Role of AI in Construction Management 43:49 The Future of AI and Human Collaboration 48:01 Capital Efficiency and Branding in Construction Tech 51:53 Marketing Strategies and Customer Engagement 53:19 Trust in Quantification Tools 55:34 Transitioning Leadership in Tech Companies 57:15 Innovations in Pre-Construction Processes 01:01:34 Challenges in Construction Technology Adoption 01:08:39 Building a Startup in Construction Tech 01:11:29 Investor Relations and Business Growth Strategies

    1h 20m

  4. OCT 10

    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

  5. OCT 3

    $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

  6. SEP 26

    $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

  7. SEP 19

    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

  8. SEP 12

    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
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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
    64
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Bricks And Bytes, Patric Hellermann, Dustin Devan
  • Show Website
    Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes

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