Practice Disrupted by Practice of Architecture 212: Investing in the Built World: A Venture Capitalist's View on AEC Innovation
What does it take to build and fund the companies that are truly transforming the built environment?
This week, we are joined by Jesse Devitte, co-founder and General Partner of Building Ventures and a pioneer who has spent over three decades at the intersection of architecture, construction, and technology.
Jesse shares his remarkable journey, from co-founding SoftDesk, the company that laid the groundwork for Autodesk's AEC division in the early 90s, to becoming one of the first venture capitalists dedicated to the industry. He explains the origin of Building Ventures, a firm created to invest across the entire lifecycle of how we design, build, and operate our world. Supported by a network of industry leaders, the firm was founded on the belief that a wave of innovation was coming, and the built environment was ready for a new generation of transformative companies.
The conversation offers a rare look inside the mind of an investor, exploring the evolution of AEC tech, the business model challenges facing architecture firms, and what it takes to get a startup funded. Jesse reveals that his team looks for more than just a good idea; they look for founders with a unique, firsthand understanding of the problem they are solving.
"We want them to really not pitch us on a solution for their problem. We want them to be in love with the problem. That's an earned secret to us that someone has that they can apply that makes them really unique." - Jesse Devitte
This episode concludes with a forward-looking perspective on where the industry is headed. Jesse argues that the path forward requires a mindset shift from all players: architects must "lean in" to new opportunities like industrialized construction to maintain influence, and the industry as a whole must foster a collaborative ecosystem where startups, incumbents like Autodesk, and practitioners work together to drive progress. His story is a guide to where opportunity lives, offering invaluable insights for both aspiring entrepreneurs and firm leaders wondering how capital, innovation, and design intersect to shape the future of practice.
Guest:
Jesse Devitte is a co-founder and General Partner at Building Ventures, a venture capital firm investing in early-stage startups that are transforming the built environment. With a career spanning over 30 years, Jesse was a pioneer in AEC software development, co-founding SoftDesk, which was acquired by Autodesk to create its AEC Market Group. He later became one of the first VCs to focus on the built world, with early investments in iconic companies like SketchUp. Through Building Ventures, he continues to support entrepreneurs who are improving how we design, build, and operate our world.
Is This Episode for You?
This episode is for you if:
✅ You are an entrepreneur with a startup idea for the AEC industry and want to know what investors look for.
✅ You are a firm leader trying to understand the broader trends in AEC technology and investment.
✅ You are curious about the evolution of venture capital in the built environment.
✅ You want to hear the perspective of a pioneer who has shaped AEC software from the beginning.
✅ You are interested in the future of design tech, pre-construction, sustainability, and industrialized construction.
📍 Show Links:
- Connect with Jesse on LinkedIn
- Learn more about Building Ventures
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