What PE Firms Look for in Construction Tech Investments - Insider View

Dec 9, 2025

In this engaging discussion, Darren Martin, a former Chief Digital Officer and founder of AI Invested, shares insights on the digital transformation challenges in the construction tech sector. He reveals how private equity firms value these technologies and why many innovation efforts fail to gain traction. Darren highlights that AI can reduce project management labor by 30% and explains how smaller firms can now compete effectively. His perspective sheds light on the changing landscape for construction companies willing to embrace deeper digital strategies.

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INSIGHT

Immediate PM Labour Reductions Possible

Current AI deployments can immediately cut project management labour by roughly 30% if used correctly.
Darren frames this as an achievable, near-term labour optimisation using agentic AI and automation.

INSIGHT

Agentic AI Levels The Playing Field

Agentic AI lets smaller firms compete with market leaders by amplifying capability.
Darren Martin says the tech can let small organisations punch above their weight quickly.

ANECDOTE

From CDO To Advisor On PE Deals

Darren left AtkinsRealis to found AI Invested and advise PE and startups on scaling digital strategies.
He worked on valuing a billion-dollar acquisition and helping buyers plan and execute transformation post-deal.

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"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

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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