Bricks And Bytes

Excited to share this brilliant and latest episode of the Bricks and Bytes Podcast, where we take a deep dive into the world of construction, technology, and business. In this episode, Scott Ellison, a strategy consultant, talks about his personal connection to the construction industry and his journey to becoming an advisor and investor in tech companies. Here are some of the highlights: ⁃ How Scott's personal connection to the construction industry started with his uncles, who were general contractors, and his job working in a hardware store. ⁃ The impact of the ubiquity of smartphones, cloud, and SaaS on the construction industry and how it has led to a slower but steady shift towards digitisation. ⁃ The importance of software infrastructure in construction tech and how it needs to be laid down first before we can fully appreciate the benefits of new ways of capturing information. ⁃ Go-to-market strategies, such as product-led growth that have created value in certain sector. Tune in to the episode to learn more about Scott's insights and his thoughts on the future of the construction industry! If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review! This helps us get more amazing guests to give you guys the best and most informative content on technology in the built world. --------------------------------------- Scott Ellison - Investor | Advisor | Judge | Mentor --------------------------------------- Today's Sponsor: beta - Construction and technology network platform - connecting the tech industry with traditional partners. Chek: www.the-beta.com --------------------------------------- Timestamps: 00:00:00 --> 00:01:05 - Intro 00:01:05 --> 00:01:45 - Sponsor 00:01:45 --> 00:03:33 - Scott's background and personal connection to the construction industry 00:03:33 --> 00:04:26 - The impact of technology on the construction industry 00:04:26 --> 0006:38 - The importance of software infrastructure in construction tech 00:06:38 --> 00:08:12 - The challenge of data islands and pockets in the construction industry 00:08:12 --> 00:10:40 - Go-to-market strategies in built tech, and how it can make or break a startup 00:10:40 --> 00:13:06 - Table stakes in the game of building a successful startup 00:13:06 --> 00:14:35 - Playbook in construction tech  00:14:35 --> 00:20:30 - Introduction to the concept of Product-Led Growth (PLG)  00:20:30 --> 00:24:25 - The unique dynamics of construction industry 00:24:25 --> 00:26:04 - The concept of respect to disrupt ratio 00:26:04 --> 00:27:17 - Setting up a strategy for a startup  00:27:17 --> 00:32:35 - The challenges faced by people from outside and inside the industry when introducing change 00:32:35 --> 00:34:52 - Key metrics in early-stage investing  00:34:52 --> 00:37:41 - Individual (jockey) over the idea (horse) in early-stage investing 00:37:41 --> 00:39:15 - Exciting ideas and technologies in construction tech  00:39:15 --> 00:41:02 - Scott's advice to companies in the construction tech on hiring, firing, marketing and finance  00:41:02 --> 00:42:25 - The student debt crisis in the US and how it impacts the construction industry's ability to attract top talent 00:42:25 --> 00:44:43 - Robotics and technology changing the construction industry workforce 00:44:52 --> 00:46:36 - Thoughts on hot trends in construction industry  00:46:36 --> 00:48:55 - Scott's passions 00:48:55 --> 00:49:37 - Top skill for entrepreneurs 00:49:37 --> 00:50:10 - More information about Scott  00:50:10 --> 00:50:28 - Outro 

What is academia's role in ensuring the industry is fit for the future? On today's podcast, we have John Orr - Professor of Structural Engineering At Cambridge University. As a top-tier university ranked in the world's top 5, Cambridge is a powerhouse of knowledge, and we are privileged to have John share his expertise with us. In this episode, we discuss: Why interdisciplinary education can help solve complex problems The future of design for structures Collaboration and its importance in both innovation and climate change How to become a Cambridge University Professor --------------------------------------- John Orr Professor of Structural Engineering. Chartered engineer, academic, industrial consultant in embodied carbon. Aiming to transform real estate and construction. --------------------------------------- Today's Sponsor: Beta Construction and technology network platform - connecting the tech industry with traditional partners. Check www.the-beta.com --------------------------------------- Timestamps: (00:00:00-00:01:50) - An Exciting Introduction and a Word from Our Sponsor (00:01:50-00:03:46) - From PhD to Cambridge Professor: John Orr's Journey in Structural Engineering (00:03:46-00:04:42) - Why Now is the Perfect Time to Be in Structural Engineering (00:04:42-00:06:51) - What Makes Cambridge-Trained Engineers Stand Out from the Rest? (00:06:51-00:09:42) - How to Make Structural Engineering More Attractive and Accessible (00:09:42-00:11:31) - The Role of Structural Engineering in Reducing Carbon Emissions (00:11:31-00:13:12) - Strategies to Improve Structural Engineering's Sustainability Impact (00:13:12-00:17:46) - Tackling the Thorny Issue of PI Insurance in Structural Engineering (00:17:46-00:19:45) - A Glimpse into the Future of Construction (00:19:45-00:23:25) - The Revolutionary ACORN Project and its Integration with Robotics (00:23:25-00:24:52) - Predicting the Most Significant Developments in Structural Engineering's Future (00:24:52-00:26:19) - John Orr's Vision for the Future of Construction (00:26:19-00:27:34) - Balancing Academia and Practical Applications in Structural Engineering (00:27:34-00:29:32) - Understanding the Impact of Part Z in Structural Engineering (00:29:32-00:30:04) - Insights into the Fascinating Work of Part Z (00:30:04-00:31:23) - The Potential Effects of Part Z on Structural Engineering (00:31:23-00:32:15) - John Orr's Key Message on Structural Engineering's Role in Building a Sustainable Future (00:32:15-00:34:15) - Navigating the Intersection of Individual Action and Regulatory Frameworks (00:34:15-00:38:11) - How to Become a Cambridge Professor in Structural Engineering (00:38:11-00:39:07) - John Orr's Diverse Range of Hobbies and Interests (00:39:07-00:39:31) - Get to Know John Orr a Little Better (00:39:31-00:39:48) - A Memorable Outro and Final Thoughts.

On today's show we have Sankha Deep who is the founder and product lead at Lattice - construction supply chain visibility platform.  In this episode, we talk about: supply chain issues implementation of construction technology good and bad software   new business models. If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review! This helps us get more amazing guests to give you guys the best and most informative content on technology in the built world. --------------------------------------- Sankha Deep | Founder and product lead at Lattice --------------------------------------- Today's Sponsor: beta - Construction and technology network platform - connecting the tech industry with traditional partners. Chek www.the-beta.com --------------------------------------- Timestamps: 00:00:00 --> 00:01:08 - Intro 00:01:08 --> 00:01:51 - Sponsor 00:01:51 --> 00:07:13 - Differences and similarities in the tech scene between the UK and India  00:07:13 --> 00:09:33 - Introducing Lattice 00:09:33 --> 00:12:11 - Software implementation in construction technology 00:12:11 --> 00:14:12 - Picking a software suitable for your business’s needs 00:14:12 --> 00:18:10 - Core problems that Lattice solves  00:18:10 --> 00:23:39 - Business model as a service 00:23:39 --> 00:25:07- Lessons that construction industry can learn from other industries 00:25:07 --> 00:26:31 - Sankha’s experience in fintech  00:26:31 --> 00:28:15 - Cost differences in fintech and construction industry  00:28:15 --> 00:30:48 - Ways of preventing founders from creating a bad software 00:30:48 --> 00:32:11 - Secret source for a sucessulf business  00:32:11 --> 00:33:31 -  Sankha’s usual day  00:33:31 --> 00:34:12 - Book recommendation 00:34:12 --> 00:36:54 - Number one productivity hack  00:36:54 --> 00:38:45 - Our book recommendation 00:38:45 --> 00:39:43 - Our top podcast guests  00:39:43 --> 00:40:18 - More about Sankha 00:40:18 --> 00:40:36 - Outro

Why do construction (tech) companies fail? On today's podcast, we have Stephen Poppe, ConTech Advisor and Customer Success Leader. Stephen is currently the Manager for Research & Development at HITT Contracting and Executive Partner at Blue Collar Capital In this episode, we discuss: Where people go wrong with construction tech & why companies fail Considerations when investing in construction tech companies Implementation and strategies for Main Contractors Stephen's terrible taste in football (soccer) team --------------------------------------- Stephen Poppe R&D | Contech Advisor | Customer Success Leader | Construction Professional | Lean Practitioner(ish) --------------------------------------- Today's Sponsor: Beta Construction and technology network platform - connecting the tech industry with traditional partners. Check www.the-beta.com --------------------------------------- Timestamps: (00:00:00-00:01:57) - Intro and Sponsor (00:01:57-00:04:13) - Why did Stephen choose Contech?  (00:04:13-00:06:02) - What are people not getting right with technology? (00:06:02-00:07:55) - Should construction companies focus on the management process? (00:07:55-00:10:34) - Why does a company fail in Contech? (00:10:34-00:12:43) - What is the lean startup methodology? (00:12:43-00:14:08) - What is important when investing in a company as a capital allocator? (00:14:08-00:16:55) - What are the initial problems that a startup face?  (00:16:55-00:18:23) - What is HITT?  (00:18:23-00:21:28) - Labor shortage (00:21:28-00:22:42) - Is there something else that we should focus on except technology?  (00:22:42-00:24:23) - Future of tech (00:24:23-00:27:38) - How can we get the basics right? (00:27:38-00:31:17) - Trends in construction tech (00:31:17-00:33:49) - VC doesn’t like 100-million-dollar ideas? (00:33:49-00:35:48) - Book recommendations (00:35:48-00:36:37) - Hobbies (00:36:37-00:36:51) - More about Stephen (00:36:51-00:37:09) - Outro

Our today's guest is Josh Graham - CEO of tech company EHAB, which uses advanced weather modelling and impact analysis to help construction companies de-risk critical infrastructure projects.  In this episode we talk about: - Josh's journey of setting up EHAB - key lessons learnt when creating his startup  - real use cases of blockchain and smart contracts in construction industry. If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review! This helps us get more amazing guests to give you guys the best and most informative content on technology in the built world. --------------------------------------- Josh Graham | CEO of EHAB and CVC (Climate Venture Collective) --------------------------------------- Today's Sponsor: beta - Construction and technology network platform - connecting the tech industry with traditional partners. Chek: https://www.the-beta.com --------------------------------------- Timestamps: 00:00:00 --> 00:01:13 - Intro 00:01:13 --> 00:01:57 - Sponsor 00:01:57 --> 00:03:29 - Josh’s history of creating EHAB  00:03:29 --> 00:05:08 - Problems in creating sustainable property development company 00:05:08 --> 00:07:13 - Opportunities in sustainable property development  00:07:13 --> 00:07:38 - Does EHAB stand for something? 00:07:38 --> 00:10:10 - Process of identifying weather as a problem to tackle  00:10:10 --> 00:16:00 - Changes that EHAB makes in weather forecasting  00:16:00 --> 00:17:01 - Accuracy of forecast data  00:17:01 --> 00:20:05 - Key lessons learned in Josh’s journey  00:20:05 --> 00:22:06 - Future plans for EHAB 00:22:06 --> 00:23:02 - Project types that can benefit from EHAB 00:23:02 --> 00:24:44 - More about Climate Venture Collective  00:24:44 --> 00:30:01- Blockchain technology and its impact on construction industry  00:30:01 --> 00:33:54 - Smart contracts agreements  00:33:54 --> 00:35:04 - Josh’s regular day  00:35:04 --> 00:35:35 - What would you do with unlimited budget? 00:35:35 --> 00:36:18 - Book recommendation 00:36:18 --> 00:36:58 - More about Josh 00:36:58 --> 00:37:20 - Outro

How do you get your customers to fall in love with your brand? On today's podcast we have Delia Visan, a master, influencer and advocate in the world of customer success. Delia is currently the head of Customer Success at Bright Spaces and is one of the top 25 CS Leaders of 2023. Getting existing customers to spend more is far easier than obtaining new customers. And in this episode we chat about how CS can result in improved customer retention and a higher customer lifetime value. In this episode, we discuss: Why customer success is important and why startups NEED it How small businesses can integrate customer success into their operations Current and future trends in customer success How to learn (and dream in) new languages  --------------------------------------- Delia Visan Head of Customer Success @Bright Spaces || 25 Most Creative CS Leaders of 2023 by EverAfter || 2022 Top Influencers in the CS Space by Custify --------------------------------------- Today's Sponsor: Beta Construction and technology network platform - connecting the tech industry with traditional partners. Check www.the-beta.com --------------------------------------- Timestamps: (00:00:00-00:02:01) - Intro  (00:02:01-00:04:06) - Tech world in Romania   (00:04:06-00:04:56) - Is Romania exporting tech outside?  (00:04:56-00:05:42) - Are tech teams based in Romania? (00:05:42-00:07:18) - When did you discover customer success and what did you love about it? (00:07:18-00:08:02) - Is customer success different in proptech then the other industry? (00:08:02-00:08:54) - What is customer success? (00:08:54-00:10:27) - What is the checklist for customer success? (00:10:27-00:11:59) - From where the customer success starts? (00:11:59-00:13:47) - Customer success implementations (00:13:47-00:15:18) - When should companies implement customer success? (00:15:18-00:17:21) - Customer obsession and customer is not always right (00:17:21-00:20:07) - What is bright spaces? (00:20:07-00:21:54) - Customer success with lease owner (00:21:54-00:22:04) - Is bright spaces designed for Romanian market? (00:22:04-00:23:42) - Future plans (00:23:42-00:24:34) - Delia other passion (00:24:34-00:26:18) - What are some future trends you see right now? (00:26:18-00:27:51) - Segmentation of the customers (00:27:51-00:29:12) - Should startup approach customer success differently then other businesses? (00:29:12-00:30:13) - Customer satisfaction (00:30:13-00:32:14) - How to deal with customer that you don't like? (00:32:14-00:33:34) - Simple thing to do for customer success (00:33:34-00:37:00) - Delia is multilingual (00:37:00-00:37:42) - Books or resources (00:37:42-00:38:28) - Course (00:38:28-00:38:51) - More about Delia (00:38:51-00:39:16) - Outro

On today's show we have Jefferson Sanchez - Co-Founder & COO of Revonate. In this episode we deep dive into: Revenue acceleration for house remodellers Web3 AI Platform revolution in construction. If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review! This helps us get more amazing guests to give you guys the best and most informative content on technology in the built world. --------------------------------------- Jefferson Sanchez - Co-Founder & COO of Revonate. --------------------------------------- Today's Sponsor: beta - Construction and technology network platform - connecting the tech industry with traditional partners. Chek: www.the-beta.com --------------------------------------- Timestamps: (00:00:00-00:01:12) - Intro (00:01:12-00:01:54) - Sponsor (00:01:54-00:03:21) - Jefferson’s journey to creating Revonate (00:03:21-00:05:20) - Being a migrant and starting business (00:05:20-00:09:13) - Key lessons learned from the failure of previous company (00:09:13-00:10:29) - Introducing Revonate (00:10:29-00:14:33) - AI powered construction contract (00:14:33-00:17:13) - AI’s impact on construction in the future (00:17:13-00:19:00) - Building trust layer in AI/ML technologies (00:19:00-00:20:01) - Explaining Archidao (00:20:01-00:24:04) - Use of blockchain in technology (00:24:04-00:25:05) - Founding Revonate (00:25:05-00:26:46) - Taking outside investments (00:26:46-00:28:58) - Current economic situation and its impact on the future of construction tech world (00:28:58-00:29:35) - Is Revonate designed only for the US market? (00:29:33-00:31:16) - Jefferson’s marketing tactics (00:31:16-00:34:46) - Work-life balance (00:34:46-00:35:51) - Book recommendation (00:35:51-00:36:20) - More about Jefferson (00:36:20-00:36:38) - Outro

How do we gamify the construction industry? On today's show we have someone who has interesting and incredible ideas for the future of the construction - Alex Walzer. Alex is currently a Doctoral Researcher for Entrepreneurship for Digital Fabrication and Robotics in Construction In this episode, we discuss: Future innovations in the construction industry How gamification can make construction more fun and engaging Open innovation as a way to help you find new and better ways to build things Failure - an important part of learning and innovation --------------------------------------- Alex Walzer - Into Construction Tech Doctoral Researcher at ETH Zurich --------------------------------------- Today's Sponsor: Beta Construction and technology network platform - connecting the tech industry with traditional partners. Check www.the-beta.com --------------------------------------- (00:00:00-00:00:17) - Intro   (00:00:17-00:01:43) - How Alex reached where he is now? (00:01:43-00:02:32) - Research (00:02:32-00:03:31) - How do you stay focused? (00:03:31-00:04:34) - What is worth your time from internet? (00:04:34-00:05:33) - Strategies that can help who is embarking into construction (00:05:33-00:06:22) - Favorite subject in contech (00:06:22-00:07:18) - Implementation of robotics (00:07:18-00:07:44) - Transition into robots in construction  (00:07:44-00:10:29) - Game (00:10:29-00:12:00) - Energy (00:12:00-00:15:04) - VC landscape in robotics (00:15:04-00:18:12) - Contech in the moment (00:18:12-00:19:04) - Digital  fabrication (00:19:04-00:20:03) - How digital fabrication is different? (00:20:03-00:22:59) - What excites you in contech (00:22:59-00:23:30) - How do we get there? (00:23:30-00:26:18) - Consulting business and how it provides values? (00:26:18-00:30:50) - Role of education (00:30:50-00:33:28) - Where did you take your inspiration from? (00:33:28-00:34:25) - Books (00:34:25-00:36:08) - If you have unlimited budget where you would spend it> (00:36:08-00:37:19) - More about Alex (00:37:19-00:37:36) - Outro

On today's show we have Brian Nickel, founder and CEO at Allied BIM. Brian has vast experience in the design sector as an architect, MEP designer and as Montana State University teacher teaching BIM. His company Allied BIM enhances MEP, modular, and prefabrication construction firms by connecting design, fabrication, and field teams with easy to use workflow and allows tracking of the overall fabrication process.  In this episode, we talk about: Building a startup Design Building Information Modelling   Future of fabrication --------------------------------------- Brian Nickel - CEO & Founder of Allied BIM   Adjunct Instruction of Montana State University --------------------------------------- Today's Sponsor: Beta Construction and technology network platform - connecting the tech industry with traditional partners. Check www.the-beta.com --------------------------------------- Timestamps: 00:00:00 --> 00:01:30 - Intro 00:01:30 --> 00:02:13 - BETA sponsor 00:02:13 --> 00:05:01 - Brian’s history 00:05:01 --> 00:08:20 - Beginning of plumbing for the mechanical industry and the birth of Allied BIM 00:08:20 --> 00:10:25 - Introducing Allied BIM 00:10:25 --> 00:12:11 - Allied BIM’s target users 00:12:11 --> 00:14:55 - Brian’s advise for people embarking to the contech world 00:14:55 --> 00:16:33 - Understanding and partnering with competition within the industry 00:16:33 --> 00:18:20 - Brian’s thoughts on future of pre-fabrication in construction 00:18:20 --> 00:20:50 - Explaining LODs in the design process 00:20:50 --> 00:22:43 - Automation in the production process 00:22:43 --> 00:25:33 - Accessibility of the fabrication equipment 00:25:33 --> 00:27:04 - Teaching at Montana State University 00:27:04 --> 00:29:18 - Automation as a key to attract future students of the construction industry 00:29:18 --> 00:33:02 - Progress on digitalisation and automation 00:33:02 --> 00:34:26 - Is Allied BIM suited best for the US market only? 00:34:26 --> 00:37:47 - Brian’s view on how to run a business 00:37:47 --> 00:39:20 - Book recommendation 00:39:20 --> 00:44:49- Driving point in Brian’s start up journey 00:44:49 --> 00:45:32 - More about Brian 00:45:32--> 00:45:48 - Outro

Where and how do you focus when it comes to launching your construction tech to the market? Today on Bricks & Bytes, alongside Nick Decker of Egnyte - we discuss go-to-market strategies, marketing and sales in construction technology Tune in to learn: Nick's rise from estimator to high level marketing positions Go To Market strategies KPI's & Metrics contech companies should be tracking Implementation  --------------------------------------- Nick Decker Construction Industry - Egnyte. Lead - Construction Market --------------------------------------- Today's Sponsor: Beta Construction and technology network platform - connecting the tech industry with traditional partners. Check www.the-beta.com --------------------------------------- Timestamps: (0:00:00-00:01:46) - Intro & sponsor (00:01:46-00:04:35) - Key lessons (00:04:35-00:06:29) - Why did Nick switch fields? (00:06:29-00:10:57) - How would a startup determine their go to market strategy? (00:10:57-00:13:59) - Founder's vision (00:13:59-00:16:11) - Bad examples in construction and why we need new people? (00:16:11-00:17:59) - Social platform for a startup (00:17:59-00:20:45) - What is Egnyte? (00:20:45-00:22:34) - Who are Egnyte's customers? (00:22:34-00:23:36) - Expansion of Egynte (00:23:36-00:24:36) - Views on customer success (00:24:36-00:27:55) - KPI's and metrics (00:27:55-00:29:20) - Customer acquisition (00:29:20-00:32:41) - Risk management (00:32:41-00:34:15) - Does Egnyte work for designers or contractors? (00:34:15-00:36:10) - Best tip for implementing construction tech solutions (00:36:10-00:36:54) - Hobbies (00:36:54-00:38:39) - How many times have you visited UK? (00:38:39-00:38:58) - More about Nick (00:38:58-00:39:16) - Outro ---------------------------------------