In this episode of the Matthew Byrd Podcast, Matthew sits down with Patrick Churchman and Nick Stoppello, co-founders of Flashpoint Building Systems, to unpack how a scrappy idea turned into a construction workflow that’s changing the way crews build. After winning the Boise State University Hacking for Home Building Challenge, the team earned a major tailwind through Franklin Building Supply and proved their integrated layout system in the field. Their approach is simple to understand and hard to ignore: laser-engrave coordinated building plans directly onto subfloor panels so trades can build life-size, right on top of the material, with fewer questions, fewer errors, and faster timelines.

Patrick and Nick walk through the real startup story, including early prototypes made with Sharpies in a hot storage unit, learning CNC and laser systems the hard way, and discovering that the biggest breakthroughs often come from the messiest reps. Along the way, they break down the actual results they’ve seen in production building, why adoption is more about process than tech, and how they’re scaling with their container-based “iOS Outpost” to bring the system directly to where materials are already handled. If you’re curious about construction innovation, workflow improvement, and what it really takes to build a startup that survives, this one is for you.

Key Points

✅ How Flashpoint’s integrated layout system works
✅ Why printing plans onto materials changes jobsite behavior
✅ The early failures that proved the concept faster than “perfect” prototypes
✅ Measurable impacts on framing duration, rework, and warranty callbacks
✅ Why construction tech adoption is a process problem, not a gadget problem
✅ The “iOS Outpost” strategy for scaling nationwide through lumber yards

00:00 Introduction to the Hacking for Home Building Challenge

00:14 Meet the Founders of Flashpoint Building Systems

00:42 The Genesis of Flashpoint's Innovative System

01:10 Welcome to the Podcast: Introductions and Company Overview

01:52 Flashpoint's Revolutionary Building Process Explained

03:18 The Founders' Background and Career Journeys

11:11 The Birth of Flashpoint: From Beers to Business Ideas

14:25 Early Prototypes and Initial Challenges

26:07 Securing Funding and First Equipment Purchase

36:11 The Unqualified Beginnings

37:24 Arts and Crafts Phase

40:32 First Big Contract

42:12 Building Out the Workshop

44:19 Proving the Business Model

56:19 Winning Competitions and Gaining Recognition

01:05:36 Scaling with the iOS Outpost

01:07:59 Creating an Equipment Solution

01:08:40 Transitioning from B2C to B2B

01:09:12 Subscription Model and Quality Control

01:10:45 Challenges of a Startup

01:12:23 Dealing with Difficult Clients

01:17:36 The Importance of Empathy and Family

01:21:38 Innovating and Scaling

01:32:07 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

01:38:24 Final Thoughts and Reflections