Bricks And Bytes

In this episode, we have the privilege of sitting down with digital construction visionary Mohamed Adel, the man behind Bird Construction's bold digital transformation. Hear him share his extraordinary stories on Dubai's towering sites - where lofty inspired designs clashed with ground realities of complex projects. We ask Mohamed if it's possible to transform old processes into digital workflows. He tells us how he envisions the future blurred between the virtual and the physical (construction).  Tune in to hear Mohamed's story and explore a possible future where buildings rise faster, mistakes vanish, and the very language of construction is written in binary codes. He also addresses some fundamental questions:  Can a single, open-source model become the ultimate collaboration tool, replacing siloed 2D drawings and endless email chains?  Can AI build seamless bridges between different software, ending the era of clunky integrations?  Does a future exist where the construction site is as intuitive as a video game, guided by the wisdom of real-time data? The proven 5-7 year roadmap for rolling out new technologies without disruption projects All this and more... ---------------------------------------- Mohammed Adel | Digital Construction Director at Bird Construction —------------------------------------- This episode is brought to you by Shft—helping contractors like you leverage BIM to secure a leading position in the race towards construction’s digital future. Visit: https://maketheshft.digital Timestamps: (00:00:00-00:02:19) Intro (00:02:19-00:10:20) About Digital Construction & BIM (00:10:20-00:19:17) How to get started with digital program (00:19:17-00:36:35) Key Factors for succes with digitalization (00:36:35-00:39:18) How to use technology for sustainability (00:39:18-00:42:34) How to switch careers into digital construction (00:42:34-00:43:09) Outro

In today’s episode, we have Brittany Harris, Co-Founder at QFlow. Have you ever wondered how to secure funding in an old, tradition-bound industry like construction? In this episode, Brittany Harris, Co-Founder at Qualis Flow shares her inspiring story. We hear about the challenges she conquered, the lessons she learned, and how she built QFlow attracting millions in investment. She talks about new ways technology can decarbonize, streamline processes, increase transparency, and help us *leave the world a better place*. This talk is more than data-driven sustainable construction; it's about breaking barriers in an old industry, creating new paradigm shifts and believing in the 'impossible'. Tune in and learn: How Qflow helps contractors eliminate hundreds of admin hours tracking materials and compliance documentation How they grew over 200% year-on-year between seed and series A funding The methods she used to raise $9.1 million in 3 months (when investors told them it would take 9 months) The staggering £13 billion opportunity to reuse and resell construction materials that currently go straight to landfill from site Interested in sustainable construction? Looking to raise funds for your startup? Follow Brittany Harris here on LinkedIn. ------------------------------- This episode is brought to you by Shft—the BIM partner you need to fill the gap in your digital skills and tackle your BIM needs, end-to-end. Visit: https://maketheshft.digital Timestamps: (00:00:00-00:02:57) Intro (00:02:57-00:08:25) About Qualis FLow (00:08:25-00:20:55) Fund raising experience (00:20:55-00:33:52) Advice for founders looking to raise money (00:33:52-00:39:25) Issue of Construction Waste Management (00:39:25-00:42:28) Experience as a woman leading startup in construction (00:42:28-00:43:02) Outro

In today’s episode, we have Saurabh Saxena, an exited founder (Quandoo $219m and WNS: NYSE), Investor and current Head of Investments & Acquisitions at Axel Springer In this episode, we learn about some key insights on building businesses with a focus on successful exits, navigating the world of private equity, embracing continuous growth and exploration, and much more! Tune in to find out about: How to identify if your business idea has enough "headroom" to scale using simple pre-sales tactics Why 95% of venture-backed startups never reach a liquidity event Why most European construction tech startups struggle to scale beyond £10 million in revenue How private equity firms retool and scale traditional (or boring) businesses using the "buy and build" model And what life looks like after an exit ---------------------------------------- Saurabh Saxena | Head of Investments & Acquisitions at Axel Springer —------------------------------------- This episode is brought to you by Shft—helping contractors like you leverage BIM to secure a leading position in the race towards construction’s digital future. Visit: https://maketheshft.digital Timestamps: (00:00:00-00:02:35) Intro (00:02:35-00:15:03) How to Build a Business with an exit in mind (00:15:03-00:21:54) KPIs that Business is good for exit (00:21:54-00:39:27) Life post-exit (00:39:27-00:51:05) How to be successful in the world of Private Equity (00:51:05-01:00:02) Space @ University of Oxford (01:00:02-01:01:23) Outro

In today’s episode, we have Philip Callow, Founder of construction insurance platform Rosetta Risk Management Ltd. In this episode, we learn about the surprising math behind construction insurance premiums, how large projects can be insured for surprisingly low costs and much more! Tune in to find out about: The $440 million UK construction insurance market and how premium rates are set Why the adversarial nature of construction makes insurance so difficult How the Grenfell Tower tragedy changed how underwriters view risk The future of using telematics and AI to provide dynamic risk pricing ---------------------------------------- Philip Callow | Founder at Rosetta Risk Management Ltd —------------------------------------- This episode is brought to you by Shft—helping contractors like you leverage BIM to secure a leading position in the race towards construction’s digital future. Visit: https://maketheshft.digital Timestamps: (00:00:00-00:02:38) Intro (00:02:38-00:09:40) Insurance in context of Construction (00:09:40-00:11:45) Premium Cost of Insurance In Construction (00:11:45-00:27:10) Does the insurer always wins? (00:27:10-00:34:30) Role of data for risk calculation (00:34:30-00:39:20) Real-time data for insurance (00:39:20-00:42:22) Lessons Philip learned from Corporate World (00:42:22-00:43:22) Outro

In today’s episode, we have Patric Hellermann, General Partner at the largest global early stage investor in construction technology - Foundamental. Patric explains the 30bn opportunity in construction tech, the past and future models of unicorns, and how VC in the world of construction operates. Tune in to find out about: How VC funding in construction tech is defying the recession-hit VC ecosystem, showcasing opportunity and resilience unlike other sectors The existing and future models of unicorn construction tech startups What shapes the VC world in construction; from exceptional investors through to founder-fit, and what happens when a company begins to fail Patric’s favorite investors and his way of staying creative while managing a career in VC ---------------------------------------- Patric Hellermann | General Partner at Foundamental —------------------------------------- This episode is brought to you by Shft—helping contractors like you leverage BIM to secure a leading position in the race towards construction’s digital future. Visit: https://maketheshft.digital Timestamps: (00:00:00-00:03:18) Intro (00:03:18-00:06:32) How to Create a Venture Capital Company (00:06:32-00:40:22) Funding Statistics in Construction (00:40:22-01:07:57) Unicorns in Construction Tech (01:07:57-01:11:17) Difference Between Private Equity and Early Stage VC (01:11:17-01:15:59) How the Due Diligence Process Looks Like (01:15:59-01:22:39) Differences in VCs in Construction and Other Industries (01:22:39-01:42:07) Audience's Questions (01:42:07-01:42:52) Outro

In today’s episode of Bricks & Bytes, we have Res Orgut, a mentor at Formwork Labs. In this episode, we learn about the significance of innovation, data-driven decision-making, and continuous learning in the construction industry. Tune in to find out about: How program management offices are often catalysts for digital transformation by improving processes, governance, and standardization The importance of problem-solving, connecting solutions to real needs The rise of the role of data analyst in the construction industry and what this actually means The rise of the role of data analyst in the construction industry and what this actually means for improving performance through analytics ---------------------------------------- Res Orgut | Mentor at Formwork Labs Timestamps: (00:00:00-00:02:28) Intro (00:02:28-00:06:50) Role of Mentor at FormerLabs and Associate Director (00:06:50-00:16:55) Biggest Challenge in AEC Startup (00:16:55-00:19:30) LLMs in PMOs (00:19:30-00:29:20) Use cases of AI and LLMs in Startup (00:29:20-00:32:37) Success in Project Management (00:32:37-00:32:37) Outro

In today’s episode of Bricks & Bytes, we have Darren Young, Director of Construction Technology at UMC In this episode, we learn the importance of personal relationships at work, developing a mindset to challenge conventional thinking, re-evaluating the construction industry's so-called productivity problem, and much more! Tune in to find out about: How personal relationships impact work and why some people you help will still dislike you Why IT departments often frustrate their internal customers How social media provides exposure but fails to build real professional networks Why much construction tech fails to move the needle on efficiency ---------------------------------------- Darren Young | Director of Construction Technology at UMC Timestamps: (00:00:00-00:08:45) Intro (00:08:45-00:16:14) Role of Director of Construction Technology (00:16:14-00:24:00) Controversial Topics (00:24:00-00:27:20) The Impact of Social Media on Networking (00:27:20-00:41:35) Why Construction Productivity is BS (00:41:35-00:50:22) Cultivating a Mindset for Independent Thinking Beyond the Norm (00:50:22-00:50:22) Outro

In today’s episode of Bricks & Bytes, we have Max Sanchez, Real Estate Developer and Construction Innovator. In this episode, we learn about Max's journey from music producer and sales manager to a real estate developer, the potential Max sees in using robotics and virtual reality capture in construction, and much more! Tune in to find out about: How Max went from selling customized USB drives to managing construction projects and diving into construction tech. The lessons Max shares when selling tech solutions to developers. How robotics and virtual reality capture can have a big impact in the industry How to create win-win partnerships between developers and contractors ---------------------------------------- Max Sanchez | Real Estate Developer and Construction Innovator Timestamps: (00:00:00-00:06:35) Intro (00:01:35-00:07:10) Background of Max Sanchez (00:07:10-00:17:26) Advice for people looking to get into Real Estate (00:17:26-00:23:00) Key Mistakes that Max made (00:23:00-00:28:10) "Where Are We" in Construction Tech (00:28:10-00:41:22) Technology in Property Development Business (00:41:22-00:45:46) Reality Capture Solution and Robotics In Construction (00:45:46-00:46:52) Outro

In today’s episode of Bricks & Bytes, we have Elinor Moshe, Founder and Mentor at The Construction Coach In this episode, we learn about the transformative power of mentoring, the importance of self-awareness, practical tips for personal growth, and much more! Tune in to find out about: The benefits of mentoring and how it can help you achieve success faster Tips for self-reflection and listening to your inner voice The problem of “Action Faking” - doing courses, reading books, listening to podcasts without implementation Common challenges in construction, such as a mismatch of skills, interests, and burnout, and how to overcome them through self-awareness and introspection. ---------------------------------------- Elinor Moshe | Founder and Mentor at The Construction Coach ---------------------------------------- Timestamps: (00:00:25-00:07:00) Intro (00:07:00-00:13:10) Why Mentoring is Good (00:13:10-00:21:42) The Process of Mentoring (00:21:42-00:24:45) Tips for Those Considering Leaving Their Job (00:24:45-00:27:45) Necessary Skills for Success in Construction Industry (00:27:45-00:33:50) A Mental Exercise to Understand Yourself Better (00:33:50-00:38:02) The Concept of Action Faking (00:38:02-00:38:38) Outro

In today’s episode of Bricks & Bytes, we have Fauzan Reza Maulana, CEO of Rekava, an AI-driven digital assistant for the construction industry In this episode, Fauzan shares his journey from student to Co-Founder and CEO as well as some eye-opening takeaways from his recent thesis on Startups In Construction Tech. Tune in to find out about: The ideal size and expertise of a founding team in construction tech The importance of deeply understanding your customer's problems before building  products Fauzan's personal journey from civil engineering to programming to leading a tech startup and his key learnings along the way. How Rekava is using AI to create a virtual assistant that can answer questions on construction project documents, acting as a knowledge base that never retires. ---------------------------------------- Fauzan | Co-Founder at Rekava ---------------------------------------- Timestamps: 00:00:00-00:02:00 Intro 00:02:00-00:06:10 Key Findings Working In Construction Tech 00:06:10-00:09:55 Current State of Construction Tech Startup 00:09:55-00:17:20 Transition from Student to Startup Founder 00:17:20-00:25:14 How do you find Founders 00:25:14-00:32:02 Outro