"It's compounding and becoming more of a crisis."
That's how Susan Brattberg described the digital skills gap facing our industry right now.
And honestly? She's not wrong.
In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we sat down with Susan Brattberg, co-founder and Chief Customer Officer at Global eTraining, and what started as a conversation about an epic rooftop party at Autodesk University (300 people, live band, line dancing - yeah, these guys know how to do marketing) turned into a deep dive on something way more important.
We talked about why training isn't just a nice-to-have anymore... and many more!
Tune in to find out about:
✅ Why the digital skills gap is now the #1 priority for CIOs across ALL industries globally
✅ How technology is changing faster than ever - and why the old "train every couple years" approach is dead
✅ The real ROI companies are seeing when their teams actually know how to use their tools (hint: projects run way smoother)
✅ How AI is flipping the edu-tech space upside down - and why most companies have already dropped out of this niche
Susan's been doing this for 17 years (her company's campus history goes back even longer), and she's seen the evolution firsthand. From physical campuses to on-demand training to AI-powered rapid content development.
If you're wondering why your projects feel chaotic or why new software rollouts never stick... this episode might have some answers.
Watch the full episode out on Spotify and Youtube.
AU Videos mentioned in the episode:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/global-etraining_au2025-au-autodeskuniversity-activity-7374516713171664896-yoyb?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&rcm=ACoAAAJfYIoBfEM4rfr-mO14vIEG1k9e5LzxSeQ
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/global-etraining_au2025-autodeskuniversity-au-activity-7374516639838638081-fCS8?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&rcm=ACoAAAJfYIoBfEM4rfr-mO14vIEG1k9e5LzxSeQ
Our Sponsors:
Aphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.co
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
03:55 Introduction to the Journey
06:57 The Impact of Digital Skills Gap
09:50 Transitioning to Online Training
13:01 The Evolution of Training Methods
15:49 The Shift from Physical to Digital
18:50 Understanding Training Needs
21:44 Overcoming Initial Challenges
24:46 Current Trends in Training
27:45 The Role of AI in Training
30:45 Growth and Future Directions
35:00 Shifts in Business Post-COVID
37:45 Managing Growth and Team Dynamics
41:52 Sales Strategies and Customer Engagement
44:45 The Power of Branding and Events
52:32 Balancing Family and Business
54:22 The Competitive Landscape of E-Learning
56:31 Future Trends in E-Learning and AI
"Integration with Procore? Everyone warned us they'd copy our product. We did it anyway - and it became our best go-to-market decision."
In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Or Lakritz, founder of StructShare (now Trimble Materials), and we got to learn about how a 21-person startup navigated acquisition conversations with multiple players, the critical importance of transparency during M&A, why integrating with Procore in 2021 was one of their best decisions... and many more!
Tune in to find out about:
✅ Why Trimble chose to buy instead of build - and how StructShare filled a strategic procurement gap
✅ The real differences between being acquired by a platform giant vs. private equity (spoiler: it's all about narrative)
✅ How Or managed team culture and morale through the acquisition process with full transparency
✅ Why distribution matters more than product in construction tech - and what AI might change about that
This one's packed with honest insights from someone who actually lived through it. Worth the listen.
Our Sponsor:
Aphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.co
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
0:00 Intro
4:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guests
4:59 The Acquisition Story of Structure
9:17 Navigating the Acquisition Process
16:18 Cultural Integration Post-Acquisition
18:15 Lessons Learned from Building Structure
31:46 The Evolution of the Procurement Space
33:04 The Evolution of Construction Tech
35:58 AI's Impact on Procurement Processes
39:20 Building the Future of Procurement
42:24 Navigating Go-to-Market Strategies
44:36 Acquisition Insights and Market Dynamics
57:35 Integrating with Industry Giants
1:01:02 Personal Growth and Impact in Business
The UFC arrives in AEC. And we’re live from the AEC Octagon.
In the very first episode of our brand-new Bricks & Bytes Debates series, we are trading PR statements for sparring gloves. We’re putting two industry heavyweights head-to-head to battle out one of the hottest topics in construction: Has AI actually solved estimating?
In this no-holds-barred contester series, our contenders took the gloves off to represent the extreme Bull and Bear cases for Artificial Intelligence:
• In the Red Corner: Mike "Mighty" Powers (Co-Founder, BuildVision), arguing that LLMs have solved the extraction problem and the industry needs to embrace the "Waymo" era of automation.
• In the Blue Corner: Luigi "The Stinger" La Corte (Co-Founder, Provision), arguing that estimating is more than just counting symbols - and that without 100% accuracy, AI is still just a student driver.
Moderated by the referee of reason, Patric "Praying For Exits" Hellermann, this debate moves through three grueling rounds:
- Round 1: The Tech. Can LLMs actually count and measure complex drawings, or are they just guessing?
- Round 2: The Accuracy Gap. Is 80% accuracy "good enough" to change the industry, or is "trust but verify" just a nice way of saying "do it yourself"?
- Round 3: The Liability. In a world of design-bid-build, who takes the fall when the AI misses a scope gap?
Tune in to uncover:
• The "Waymo" Strategy: Why waiting for perfect AI is a mistake, and how to leverage the "self-driving" mindset to reduce takeoff times by 90% today.
• The Hidden Liability Loophole: Why architects and engineers could solve the estimating crisis instantly by sharing models—and the legal reason they never will.
• Symbols vs. Language: Learn the fundamental technical limitation preventing LLMs from reading 2D drawings like a human, and when we can expect "Visual Language Models" to catch up.
• The Subcontractor’s Dilemma: Why "Design Intent" matters more than counting linear feet, and why subs might actually be wasting time on granular takeoffs.
• A "Bribe" for Better Data: One listener’s hilarious (but practical) suggestion for how to finally get the Revit model from the design team.
Who will deliver the knockout punch? Tune in to decide for yourself.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:48 Introduction to Bricks and Bytes Debates
04:07 Opening Statements and Context Setting
06:51 Technical Feasibility of AI in Estimating
09:57 Practical Applications and Limitations of AI
12:59 Customer Expectations and Accuracy in AI Solutions
15:57 The Role of Human Oversight in AI Estimation
18:43 Future of AI in Construction Estimation
38:23 Navigating the Self-Driving Debate
41:19 The Evolution of AI in Estimating
43:32 Trust and Liability in Construction
46:13 The Role of Liability in AI Adoption
49:22 The Future of Estimators in AI
53:34 Rebuttals and Admissions: A Critical Discussion
59:39 The Current State of AI in Estimating
"I got employee of the year in 2016 for introducing Excel as a project management tool for the construction department in my company."
That's the state of technology in the $300 billion store development industry.
In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we sat down with Genevieve Davis and Alim Uderbekov from Surfaice. These two met on a beach in California (yes, really) and decided to tackle one of the most analog industries out there with AI agents.
Here's what we covered:
✅ Why companies building hundreds of stores aren't using Procore (hint: it's expensive and they're retailers, not developers)
✅ The "McDonald's is a race car" analogy - why 40,000 cookie-cutter restaurants are actually the perfect use case for AI in construction
✅ How code is becoming a commodity and why that changes everything about vertical software
✅ Why AI won't take your job, but people who know how to use it will
Link in comments - give it a listen if you're in retail, store development, or just want to hear how two people turned a beach conversation into a company.
Our Sponsors:
Aphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.co
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
03:46 Introduction to Surface and Founders' Backgrounds
06:48 The Vision Behind Surface and AI in Construction
09:41 The Meeting of Minds: Genevieve and Alim's Collaboration
12:45 Current Challenges in Store Development
15:30 AI's Role in Automating Construction Processes
18:32 Efficiency Gains and Time Savings with AI
21:44 The Future of Store Development and Human Touchpoints
24:30 Defensibility and Business Model of Surface
27:25 Funding and Future Plans for Surface
39:13 Investment Insights and Strategic Partnerships
41:31 Customer Engagement and Feedback
44:33 AI in Construction: Transforming Workflows
47:14 Navigating the Go-To-Market Strategy
54:20 Understanding Competition in the AI Space
59:25 Customization and Onboarding Process
01:03:07 Future of AI in Construction
"If we just listened to what our customers wanted, we would have had a faster horse."
Everyone knows the Henry Ford quote, but Lee Mullin actually showed us what it means for construction tech.
In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we sat down with Lee from BuildArc. He spent 18 years at Autodesk, and honestly, the conversation completely changed how we think about talking about products.
Here's what stuck with us: we're all making ourselves the hero of the story. We love talking about our amazing AI tools, our productivity gains, our revolutionary features. But Lee said something that hit different - your customer needs to be Luke Skywalker. You're just Yoda, guiding them along.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ Why taking people from "9 to 20" beats incremental improvements from "9 to 10"
✅ The framework Lee used to convince construction crews that iPads weren't "voodoo"
✅ How to tell stories that actually connect (hint: it's about project managers lying awake at night, not your feature list)
✅ Why the best customer stories need tension and conflict (even though corporate hates that)
The reality is, there's so much noise in AEC tech right now. If you can't tell a story that makes people feel understood, you're just another vendor promising productivity.
Watch the full episode now. Link in the comments!
Our Sponsors
Aphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.co
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
03:48 The Importance of Storytelling in Business
13:32 Navigating the AEC Technology Landscape
21:44 Crafting Compelling Presentations
27:22 Building a Storytelling Framework
31:13 Transforming Customer Stories into Success
37:28 The Human Element in AI
42:11 Understanding Personas in Storytelling
44:26 Frameworks for Effective Storytelling
53:01 Building Conflict and Tension in Stories
"You can drop 30% of your project management labor right now."
In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Darren Martin from AInvested and we got to learn about the harsh realities of digital transformation in AEC, how private equity firms value tech-enabled companies, and why most innovation initiatives fail to scale... and many more!
Darren left his role as Chief Digital Officer at Atkins Realis to advise PE firms and help construction tech startups break through growth barriers. His perspective from both sides of the table reveals uncomfortable truths about how the industry approaches technology.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ Why most companies are "digitally dabbling" instead of transforming
✅ How PE firms assess digital transformation value in billion-dollar acquisitions
✅ The specific labor reductions possible with current AI tools (hint: it's 30% in project management)
✅ Why small AEC firms can now compete with market leaders in ways that weren't possible before
Watch now to hear how the game is changing for construction companies willing to move beyond pilot projects.
Also, have a look at this article to know more: https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/aecom-jacobs-downgraded-uncertainty-over-180008836.html
Our Sponsors:
Aphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.co
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
03:30 Introduction and Background
08:13 Transitioning to Private Equity and Startups
13:35 The Role of Private Equity in AEC Companies
18:22 Digital Transformation and Value Creation
23:20 Market Trends and Company Sizes
28:20 Leveraging Technology for Business Value
33:07 Digital Accelerators and Human-Centric Approaches
35:22 Optimizing Construction Processes for Efficiency
37:51 Tying Technology to Corporate Success
41:42 Proving Value at the Project Level
43:55 The Balance of Show and Tell in Sales
49:09 Purposeful Change in the Construction Industry
A controller was spending 3 days a month just reconciling Excel reports across 80 projects.
And that's just one person. Imagine the time sink across the entire org.
In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we had Joe Wilson from PROJEXION and we got to learn about the real state of construction data (spoiler: it's a disaster), why hiring data scientists isn't solving the problem, and how teams are finally breaking free from the endless cycle of firefighting... and many more!
Tune in to find out about:
✅ Why the 2018 point solution boom created a data fragmentation nightmare
✅ The gap between builders and data scientists that nobody talks about
✅ How one plug-and-play module gave an entire company their time back
✅ What happens when your data goes from "collecting dust" to actually alive
Joe's perspective is refreshing—15 years as a builder before jumping into tech means he actually gets what it's like on the ground. No fluff, just real talk about real problems. Watch now! Link in the comments!
Our Sponsors:
Aphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.co
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
📩 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/
Chapters
00:00:00 Intro
00:03:30 Introduction and Background
00:06:29 The State of Construction Data
00:09:35 Data Fragmentation and Its Impact
00:12:32 Journey from Construction to Software
00:15:12 Building the Solution
00:17:41 The Leap of Faith
00:20:19 Finding the Right Co-Founder
00:23:17 Cultural Shifts in Transitioning Industries
00:26:34 Lessons Learned in Product Development
00:32:43 Transitioning from Construction to Sales
00:37:15 Building Relationships in Sales
00:41:55 Navigating the Sales Cycle
00:45:03 The Importance of Timing in Fundraising
00:46:52 Understanding Projection's Functionality
00:53:11 Integration and Onboarding Process
00:56:05 Real-World Use Cases and Impact
01:01:26 Overcoming Skepticism in Technology Adoption
01:04:47 Future Developments and Opportunities
"I remember just breaking down and crying when the announcement went live."
That's Rob Phillpot describing the moment he sold Aconex to Oracle for $1.2 billion—still the biggest acquisition in construction tech history.
The twist? He wasn't even looking to sell.
In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Rob Phillpot, founder of Aconex and now investor at Glitch Capital, and we got to learn about billion-dollar exits, why construction tech hasn't seen another mega-acquisition since 2018, and what's next for the industry.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ Why Oracle got Aconex at exactly the right moment
✅ The reality of losing control when you go public
✅ Why great construction software doesn't need to be sexy
✅ How AI will eliminate data entry and make tools predictive
Watch now on Youtube! Link in the comments!
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
Aphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.co
Chapters
00:00 Intro
03:10 The Emotional Journey of Selling Aconex
09:08 The Landscape of Construction Technology Acquisitions
12:10 Life After Aconex: Transitioning to New Ventures
20:11 Key Factors Behind Aconex's Growth
36:16 Navigating Go-to-Market Strategies
41:03 Navigating International Markets
47:19 The Evolution of Digital Marketing
51:59 The Impact of Short Sellers
59:08 Transitioning from Founder to CEO
01:06:51 Innovations in Construction Technology
"We're always running at 100%. Some people love that. I think it's like an adrenaline rush."
That's how Katie Coulson describes leading Skanska Advanced Technology—where construction projects that typically take 2-3 years get done in a fraction of the time.
In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we had Katie Coulson from Skanska Advanced Technology and we got to learn about how they're building data centers and semiconductor fabs at tech company speed, why they're often starting construction before the design is even finalized, and what 31 years in construction has taught her about the future of the industry... and many more!
Tune in to find out about:
✅ How Skanska's vertical unit model combines national tech expertise with local market knowledge to deliver high-speed projects across the US
✅ Why the traditional construction bell curve doesn't exist in data center and semiconductor work—and the type of people who thrive in that chaos
✅ The sophisticated subcontractor relationships that make it possible to mobilize quickly across different markets
✅ Katie's predictions on AI, offsite manufacturing, and robotics as solutions to construction's labor challenges (especially as remote work isn't an option for field teams)
If you're building in the data center or semiconductor space, or just curious about how construction is adapting to move at tech speed, this one's for you. Watch the full episode now. Link in the comment!
📩 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/
Enjoying the insights? Hit that Subscribe button to stay ahead in construction tech, AI, and the future of how we build.
Our Sponsors
Aphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.co
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
03:20 Introduction to Skanska Advanced Technologies 06:12 The Evolution of High-Tech Construction 09:06 Speed and Efficiency in Construction Projects 12:12 Stakeholder Engagement and Subcontractor Relationships 15:01 Client Demands and Market Dynamics 17:59 Procurement and Buyout Strategies 21:04 Offsite Manufacturing and Prefabrication 23:55 Technology Integration in Construction 26:59 Safety Measures and AI in Construction 30:06 Data Management and Quality Assurance
33:37 Innovations in Construction Technology
37:32 The Role of AI in Streamlining Processes
39:26 Comparing Traditional and Tech-Driven Construction
42:43 Balancing Innovation with Project Constraints
47:31 Managing Client Expectations in Tech Projects
50:42 Structure and Strategy of Advanced Technology Division
54:23 Building Trust and Team Dynamics
57:22 Advice for Aspiring Professionals in Data Centers
59:04 Future Predictions for Construction Technology
Owen and Martin broadcast live from Suffolk's BOOST Demo Day in Boston, going behind the scenes with the entire cohort and some of the biggest names in AEC.What we cover:● Live interviews with the full BOOST cohort including Arki, Cypher Autonomy, DigEnergy, Hardline AI, MOD, Neuron Factory, Aorus Materials, and Puppet Robotics● GOLDBECK's innovation team (Dani and Bjorn) on how a European giant thinks about construction tech●Exclusive conversations with Jit Kee (CTO at Suffolk Construction) and David Hinley (VP Corporate Development at Autodesk)● How these startups are tackling everything from AI-powered design automation to autonomous robotics on job sites● What accelerator demo days reveal about where construction tech is actually heading● Why Boston in winter is brutal for guys in Hawaiian shirtsKey quote: "In today's world, we're building an equivalent of New York City every month worldwide. And after the project is completed, this data is left abandoned. No one is capturing the results." - Natalia, CEO of Arki
"The industry is fundamentally incapable of change because there are so many interconnected problems."
That's what Carl Christensen realized when he first looked at construction from the outside.
In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Carl Christensen, co-founder of Spacemaker (acquired by Autodesk), and we got to learn about why the AEC industry struggles with digital transformation, how outcome-based design can break through systemic barriers, and what it really takes to sell your company... and many more!
Tune in to find out about:
✅ Why designers make critical decisions early without the information they need
✅ How AI-powered simulations can predict sunlight, noise, and wind impacts in seconds
✅ The real story behind the Autodesk acquisition and why cultural alignment mattered most
✅ What Forma Building Design is doing to bridge the gap between sketch and detailed BIM
Watch now to hear how Carl’s team turned systemic problems into a successful exit and what they're building next at Autodesk.
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
Aphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.co
Chapters
00:00 Intro
03:35 The Journey of Spacemaker: Founding and Vision
16:02 AI in AEC: Transforming Design and Collaboration
24:19 Autodesk Acquisition: The Value of Spacemaker
29:07 Future of AI in AEC: Insights and Predictions
36:21 Translating AI into Reality
42:38 Measuring AI Value in Design
45:15 The Evolution of Forma
54:10 Advice for AEC Product Builders
58:30 Navigating Acquisition Processes
01:07:46 Reflections on Building Spacemaker
How do you run a $2 trillion segment of the economy with just a book?
In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Dmitry Alexin from Handoff and we got to learn about how AI is transforming residential construction, why 90% of US construction firms are one-person operations struggling with back-office work, and how a former IMF economist ended up building technology that delivers cost estimates in 30 seconds... and many more!
Tune in to find out about:
✅ Why traditional construction cost data is stuck in the physical book era and how real-time APIs are changing the game
✅ How contractors can now delegate entire workflows to an AI agent through simple voice commands while driving between jobs
✅ Why selling to residential contractors requires throwing out the enterprise playbook and leading with instant product value
✅ The surprising shift of professionals from marketing and accounting backgrounds entering residential construction with a software-first mindset
Watch now to hear Dmitry's journey from GDP forecasting during the Ebola pandemic to revolutionizing how residential contractors run their businesses.
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
Aphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.co
Chapters
00:00 Intro
03:40 Introduction to Handoff and Its Purpose
06:41 Dmitry's Background and Transition to Construction
09:30 The Data Challenge in Construction
12:49 Building the First Real-Time API for Construction Prices
15:35 The Evolution of Handoff and Its Features
18:37 The Importance of Accurate Estimating
21:37 The Role of AI in Construction Estimating
24:40 Understanding Labor and Material Costs
27:32 Streamlining Procurement Processes
30:36 Product-Led Growth Strategy
33:35 Overcoming Skepticism in the Industry
37:55 Leading with Value: Product-Led Growth
38:42 Go-To-Market Strategies: Finding Your Audience
43:24 Targeting Residential Contractors: A Strategic Choice
46:54 The Role of AI Agents in Construction Tech
49:25 Learning from Failures: Experimentation in Startups
55:35 Future of Construction: Robotics and Material Science
58:60 Funding Insights: Building a Diverse Investor Base
01:05:05 Advice for Technical Founders: Embracing Humility
01:07:15 Join the Team: Opportunities at Handoff
From indie rock band to HVAC software startup—how's that for a pivot?
In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Davis Muxlow and Andrew Krippner from HVAKR and we got to learn about building construction tech from the ground up, the innovator's dilemma killing legacy software companies, and why making products faster might actually hurt your revenue... and many more!
Tune in to find out about:
✅ How a church worship team "audition" turned into a college band and eventually a software company
✅ Why legacy HVAC programs are making engineers slower despite new updates
✅ The double-edged sword of efficiency: one engineer now doing the work of three
✅ How AI is forcing SaaS companies to rethink their entire pricing model
These guys went from mechanical engineering students with a Slack channel full of startup ideas to building a product that's actually making their customers more productive.
The kicker? Their product works so well that customers need fewer seats. That's the kind of problem you want to have.
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
Aphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.co
Chapters
00:00 Intro
03:19 The Musical Beginnings
05:20 From Bandmates to Entrepreneurs
09:13 The Path to HVACR
15:07 Building the Foundation of HVACR
19:02 The Accelerator Journey
25:10 The Product Unveiled
31:15 The Importance of Design in HVACR
35:18 Streamlining HVAC Design Processes
40:43 Design as a Differentiator
41:38 Innovative Pricing Models
44:35 Streamlining Sales Processes
48:12 Effective Trial Management
54:40 Customer-Centric Product Development
57:10 Building a Personal Brand
1:03:02 The Value of Transparency
1:04:13 Avoiding Common Mistakes in Product Design
1:09:25 Metrics of Success in Software Usage
In this special episode, we're broadcasting live from SpeckleCon 2025 in London, where the future of construction technology is being written in real-time. We sat down with some of the biggest names in AEC tech to talk about the one thing everyone's finally paying attention to: data.
We hear from Suffolk Construction and Pomerlau on turning BIM chaos into usable data, MultiConsult's Morten on giving engineers superpowers with Python, Martin Day's warning that we're all horses before the industrial revolution, Oliver Thomas on why small firms will beat the giants in the AI race, and Speckle's Dimitrie and Virginia on their push to become the data platform that finally fixes this broken industry.
Key Takeaways:
"Universities Are 15 Years Behind, We Don't Need More Degrees"
In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Gary Cowan, the head of digital construction at Kane Group and we got to learn about how MEP contractors are becoming technology companies, why the traditional education system is failing construction workers, and the real challenges behind construction automation that nobody talks about.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ Why breaking down buildings into modular components and prefabricating in factories is changing project delivery across the UK and Ireland
✅ The massive shift from siloed Excel files to cloud-based real-time data systems and what it takes to make that transformation work
✅ Why universities teaching 15-year-old methods are creating a skills gap and why we need more tradespeople who understand technology
✅ The hidden problems with construction robots that sound great in theory but struggle with real-world challenges like consistent finishes and quality control
Watch now to hear Gary break down how traditional contractors are evolving into digital-first service providers.
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
Aphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.co
Chapters
00:00 Intro & Sponsors
04:26 Introduction to Digital Construction
07:21 Understanding the Role of Head of Digital Construction
10:12 Challenges in Existing Structures and Digital Verification
13:19 The Importance of Collaboration in Construction
16:13 The Evolution of Technology in Construction
19:25 Prefabrication and Its Integration in Design
22:20 The Digital Tool Tech Stack
25:05 Virtual Reality in Construction
28:19 Augmented Reality and Reality Capture Solutions
33:55 The Rise of XR Technology
34:11 AI: Hype vs. Reality
35:54 Navigating AI Adoption
38:15 The Challenge of Authenticity in Tech
39:44 The Importance of Expertise
43:08 Evaluating Tech Solutions
45:17 Frustrations with Vendor Solutions
47:19 Rolling Out New Technologies
50:07 Aligning Data Across the Business
52:26 Pain Points in Real-Time Data
56:12 Robotics in MEP
1:00:07 Expanding Digital Construction Services
1:02:05 The Future of Digital Construction
"Often it results in an almost Frankenstein technology stack where you may have different things for different reasons."
This is the reality of construction tech adoption today.
In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Josh Weyand from Trunk Tools and we got to learn about navigating the messy world of construction technology, why some solutions stay point solutions while others scale enterprise-wide, and the critical mistake vendors make when trying to sell to large contractors... and many more!
Tune in to find out about:
✅ Why building trust and credibility matters more than your product features when selling to contractors
✅ The real reasons technologies don't scale (hint: it's not always about the product)
✅ How to align your solution to business initiatives instead of hitting friction at every step
✅ What makes construction-specific tools win over generic software solutions
Watch now to hear Josh's insights from his time as Director of Emerging Technologies at Suffolk and his current role helping builders solve real problems.
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
📩 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/
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
03:45 Navigating Construction Technology: Insights from the Field
14:36 The Challenges of Scaling Tech Solutions
25:37 Peer Groups and Shared Success in Construction Tech
30:14 Overcoming Frustrations with Tech Vendors
31:47 From Pilot to Scale: Best Practices for Adoption
36:46 The Value of Piloting Technology
40:38 Understanding Innovation Theater
44:56 Buying Technology in Construction
48:18 Core Technologies for General Contractors
51:57 Transitioning to Trunk Tools
56:16 The Role of an Enterprise Solutions Engineer
01:00:40 Winning the Market with Construction Specificity
"If I could do some things over, I would have hired marketing leadership earlier, even before sales."
That's what Document Crunch CEO Josh Levy told his VP of Marketing, Lori Peters.
In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Lori Peters from Document Crunch and we got to learn about why construction tech marketing is fundamentally different from other SaaS industries, how to scale from seed to Series B, and what's actually working in 2025.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ Why conferences are their biggest lead generation channel (while other SaaS companies avoid them)
✅ How they expanded nationally by going where their customers were, not just selling remotely
✅ The shift from marketing-led pipeline to fully integrated go-to-market teams
✅ Why LinkedIn still dominates and how AI is changing organic search forever
Watch now to hear how a 10-year construction tech marketing veteran built a winning strategy from the ground up.
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
03:26 Introduction to Document Crunch and Construction Tech
06:28 Evolution of Marketing in Construction Tech
09:23 Marketing Strategies Through Funding Stages
12:23 Challenges in Scaling Marketing Operations
15:11 Effective In-Person Marketing Channels
18:29 Community Initiatives: Built by Builders and Crunch Community
21:28 Targeting Customers and Tailoring Messages
30:03 The Costly Disruptions in Construction
30:58 Understanding Disputes and Their Impact
32:28 The Role of Customer Advisory Boards
34:43 Navigating the AI Landscape in Construction
37:39 Building Trust in AI Solutions
38:59 Leveraging Investor Relationships
40:17 Partnerships and Trust in Marketing
42:23 AI in Marketing Strategies
47:30 Marketing Nuances in the Construction Industry
49:19 The Importance of Thought Leadership
52:12 Structuring a Growing Marketing Team
53:49 Technology in the Marketing Stack
54:57 Future Predictions for Marketing in AEC
"We've nearly tripled our profits in three years - and it wasn't one big change, it was a million small ones."
In today's episode of the Bricks & Bytes, we had Marc Barone, COO of Buro Happold, and we got to learn about how they scaled from strong to exceptional, the real impact of AI on engineering productivity, and why listening matters more than action in your first 90 days as a leader... and many more!
Tune in to find out about:
✅ How Buro Happold grew 75% in three years while tripling profitability
✅ Why understanding what to say no to is as important as knowing what to say yes to
✅ The truth about measuring AI productivity gains and what actually works
✅ Why your first 90 days as COO should be about listening, not changing everything
Watch now on YouTube! Link in the comments!
------------------
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
71% of construction companies are still using Excel to manage thousands of employees—and it's costing them millions in lost projects.
In this episode of Bricks & Bytes, Owen and Martin sit down with Lauren Lake, co-founder of Bridgit, and Kevin Ferguson from AECO Product Marketing to uncover how two college students disrupted the construction workforce planning industry—and built a company that now serves half of the top 20 general contractors in North America.
In this episode:
Why 42% of contractors are turning down projects despite high demand (hint: it's not what you think)
The "crane hunting" strategy that led to a Harvard Business School case study
How Bridget went from $0 to $4M ARR in just 2 years by solving one simple problem
Why construction companies are now budgeting $100K+ for workforce planning software
The shocking reason employees are leaving construction jobs (and it's not the pay)
What happens when executives ask "where are our people?" and nobody knows the answer
The hidden cost of breaking up winning project teams after every job
How AI and experience tracking are revolutionizing team composition decisions
Why there's been ZERO research data on project team success since 1999
The global expansion playbook that worked across North America, Australia, and the UK
"Our goal was simple: we just need to replace Excel. And that's actually a really challenging goal." — Lauren Lake
Whether you're a contractor struggling with resource allocation, a tech founder looking for validation strategies, or simply curious about how construction's labor shortage is reshaping the industry—this episode reveals why workforce planning has become the most critical investment in construction technology.
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
🎧 Listen to the Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0xSpdQpmgf0xJvAsGAQRX5?si=QgmckXGVRnO46vOZKa0I1Q
📩 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/
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
02:40 Introduction to Bridget and Its Founders
03:38 The Secret to Success in Workforce Planning
05:17 Identifying Pain Points in Workforce Planning
08:15 The Harvard Business School Case Study
12:08 Validating the Product with Early Customers
14:16 The Evolution of the Product
16:55 Challenges of Replacing Excel
18:12 The Importance of Visibility in Workforce Management
19:27 The State of Workforce Planning Report
20:39 Granular vs. Executive Workforce Management
22:35 Transforming Workforce Planning Meetings
24:41 Creating a New Category in Workforce Planning
26:56 Rapid Growth and Market Penetration
28:15 ROI in Workforce Planning Solutions
30:46 What Makes a Good Workforce Planning Software?
32:53 The Role of AI in Workforce Planning
34:39 Educating the Market on Workforce Planning
52:57 Insights from the 2025 Workforce Planning Report
57:08 Investment Trends in Workforce Planning
58:19 The Ongoing Reliance on Excel
1:02:04 Pricing Model for Bridget
1:04:53 Building a Strong Company Culture
1:07:44 Managing Contractors and Subcontractors
1:08:52 Closing Remarks and Future Engagements
"If you can't get to $5M in recurring revenue in 18 months, you're probably not venture fundable right now."
KP Reddy just called out the entire construction tech ecosystem—and he's not holding back.
In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we had KP Reddy and we got to learn about why most construction tech startups are chasing the wrong business model, how AI is fundamentally changing the value of human work, and why he's now buying contractors instead of selling them software... and many more!
Tune in to find out about:
✅ Why construction attracts risk-averse founders (and why that's killing innovation)
✅ The real reason CEOs want everyone back in the office (hint: it's about ego, not productivity)
✅ How token-based pricing will replace hourly billing in the next 5 years
✅ Why KP is teaching CEOs to vibe code—and firing consultants who say "it can't be done"
This conversation will change how you think about building, investing, and working in construction tech.
Watch now on YouTube. Link in the comments!
-------------
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
03:00 Introduction and Competitive Spirit
06:05 The Shift in Venture Capital Dynamics
08:42 Capital Light vs. Capital Heavy Startups
11:45 Vibe Coding: The New Era of Prototyping
14:45 The Role of AI in Construction and Tech
17:44 The Future of CRM and Personalization in Business
20:42 The Impact of AI on Job Identity and Purpose
23:29 Navigating the Future of Work in AEC
26:17 The Evolution of Business Models in Construction
29:06 Conclusion: Embracing Change and Purpose
35:56 Finding Fulfillment in Venture Capital
39:38 The Role of AI in Pricing Models
45:33 Ego and Status in Business Decisions
49:33 Brackish Waters: The Intersection of VC and PE
57:49 Transformative Tech and Market Dynamics
62:39 The Nonsense of Change Management