"We've nearly tripled our profits in three years - and it wasn't one big change, it was a million small ones."

In today's episode of the Bricks & Bytes, we had Marc Barone, COO of Buro Happold, and we got to learn about how they scaled from strong to exceptional, the real impact of AI on engineering productivity, and why listening matters more than action in your first 90 days as a leader... and many more!

Tune in to find out about:

✅ How Buro Happold grew 75% in three years while tripling profitability

✅ Why understanding what to say no to is as important as knowing what to say yes to

✅ The truth about measuring AI productivity gains and what actually works

✅ Why your first 90 days as COO should be about listening, not changing everything

Watch now on YouTube! Link in the comments!

------------------

Our Sponsor:

Archdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.com

BuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.io

------------

Chapters

• 00:00 Intro
• 03:35 Introduction and Background
• 05:36 Overview of Bureau Hapold
• 06:47 Technical vs Commercial Risk Management
• 08:59 Growth and Profitability Strategies
• 12:45 Path to COO Role
• 16:01 Leadership and Team Dynamics
• 19:45 Culture and Employee Engagement
• 25:39 Digital Transformation and AI Integration
• 33:38 Innovation and Technology Solutions
• 38:04 The Gradual Rollout of AI Tools
• 42:19 Balancing Automation and Human Resources
• 47:19 The Importance of Local Expertise
• 52:26 Evaluating AI Tools for Business
• 57:11 The Future of AI and Market Dynamics
• 01:04:17 Measuring Productivity Gains from Technology
• 01:09:08 First Steps for a New COO

71% of construction companies are still using Excel to manage thousands of employees—and it's costing them millions in lost projects.

In this episode of Bricks & Bytes, Owen and Martin sit down with Lauren Lake, co-founder of Bridgit, and Kevin Ferguson from AECO Product Marketing to uncover how two college students disrupted the construction workforce planning industry—and built a company that now serves half of the top 20 general contractors in North America.

In this episode:

Why 42% of contractors are turning down projects despite high demand (hint: it's not what you think)

The "crane hunting" strategy that led to a Harvard Business School case study

How Bridget went from $0 to $4M ARR in just 2 years by solving one simple problem

Why construction companies are now budgeting $100K+ for workforce planning software

The shocking reason employees are leaving construction jobs (and it's not the pay)

What happens when executives ask "where are our people?" and nobody knows the answer

The hidden cost of breaking up winning project teams after every job

How AI and experience tracking are revolutionizing team composition decisions

Why there's been ZERO research data on project team success since 1999

The global expansion playbook that worked across North America, Australia, and the UK

"Our goal was simple: we just need to replace Excel. And that's actually a really challenging goal." — Lauren Lake

Whether you're a contractor struggling with resource allocation, a tech founder looking for validation strategies, or simply curious about how construction's labor shortage is reshaping the industry—this episode reveals why workforce planning has become the most critical investment in construction technology.

Our Sponsor:

Archdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.com

BuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.io

🎧 Listen to the Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0xSpdQpmgf0xJvAsGAQRX5?si=QgmckXGVRnO46vOZKa0I1Q

📩 Subscribe to the Bricks & Bytes Newsletter: https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/

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Enjoying the insights? Hit that Subscribe button to stay ahead in construction tech, AI, and the future of how we build.

-----------------

Chapters

00:00 Intro

02:40 Introduction to Bridget and Its Founders

03:38 The Secret to Success in Workforce Planning

05:17 Identifying Pain Points in Workforce Planning

08:15 The Harvard Business School Case Study

12:08 Validating the Product with Early Customers

14:16 The Evolution of the Product

16:55 Challenges of Replacing Excel

18:12 The Importance of Visibility in Workforce Management

19:27 The State of Workforce Planning Report

20:39 Granular vs. Executive Workforce Management

22:35 Transforming Workforce Planning Meetings

24:41 Creating a New Category in Workforce Planning

26:56 Rapid Growth and Market Penetration

28:15 ROI in Workforce Planning Solutions

30:46 What Makes a Good Workforce Planning Software?

32:53 The Role of AI in Workforce Planning

34:39 Educating the Market on Workforce Planning

52:57 Insights from the 2025 Workforce Planning Report

57:08 Investment Trends in Workforce Planning

58:19 The Ongoing Reliance on Excel

1:02:04 Pricing Model for Bridget

1:04:53 Building a Strong Company Culture

1:07:44 Managing Contractors and Subcontractors

1:08:52 Closing Remarks and Future Engagements

"If you can't get to $5M in recurring revenue in 18 months, you're probably not venture fundable right now."

KP Reddy just called out the entire construction tech ecosystem—and he's not holding back.

In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we had KP Reddy and we got to learn about why most construction tech startups are chasing the wrong business model, how AI is fundamentally changing the value of human work, and why he's now buying contractors instead of selling them software... and many more!

Tune in to find out about:

✅ Why construction attracts risk-averse founders (and why that's killing innovation)

✅ The real reason CEOs want everyone back in the office (hint: it's about ego, not productivity)

✅ How token-based pricing will replace hourly billing in the next 5 years

✅ Why KP is teaching CEOs to vibe code—and firing consultants who say "it can't be done"

This conversation will change how you think about building, investing, and working in construction tech.

Watch now on YouTube. Link in the comments!

-------------

Our Sponsor:

Archdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.com

BuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.io

Chapters

00:00 Intro

03:00 Introduction and Competitive Spirit

06:05 The Shift in Venture Capital Dynamics

08:42 Capital Light vs. Capital Heavy Startups

11:45 Vibe Coding: The New Era of Prototyping

14:45 The Role of AI in Construction and Tech

17:44 The Future of CRM and Personalization in Business

20:42 The Impact of AI on Job Identity and Purpose

23:29 Navigating the Future of Work in AEC

26:17 The Evolution of Business Models in Construction

29:06 Conclusion: Embracing Change and Purpose

35:56 Finding Fulfillment in Venture Capital

39:38 The Role of AI in Pricing Models

45:33 Ego and Status in Business Decisions

49:33 Brackish Waters: The Intersection of VC and PE

57:49 Transformative Tech and Market Dynamics

62:39 The Nonsense of Change Management

"Digital twins are still solving problems we haven't even imagined yet."

In today's episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, we had James Mize from CRB and we got to learn about why pharmaceutical and biotech construction is pushing the boundaries of what's possible with digital twins, the real reason most companies stick with their tech partners, and why information management is construction's biggest unsolved problem... and many more!

Tune in to find out about:

✅ How predictive maintenance using digital twins is saving pharmaceutical companies millions in downtime costs

✅ Why design innovation is racing ahead while construction remains stubbornly manual

✅ The partnership model that actually works when choosing construction technology vendors

✅ Why document control might disappear completely as AI learns where every file should live

Listen now on Spotify and join the conversation about the future of construction technology.

----------

Our Sponsor:

Archdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.com

BuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.io

-------------------

Chapters

00:00 Intro

03:05 Exploring Digital Twins in Construction

09:10 The Role of CRB in Biotech and Pharmaceutical Construction

14:54 Innovation in Design vs. Construction

20:50 Evaluating Technology Vendors and Solutions

26:43 Navigating Pricing Models for Tech Solutions

36:31 Exploring Software Innovations in Construction

38:34 Identifying Pain Points in Information Management

43:04 Researching Solutions: Inbound vs Outbound

47:18 Evaluating Information Management Tools

51:42 Lessons from Technology Failures

54:11 The Role of Venture Backing in Technology Solutions

55:09 Importance of Construction Experience in Founders

56:39 Contrarian Views on External Validation

57:41 Gathering Feedback from the Field

01:00:04 Maximizing ROI from Technology Investments

01:02:00 Current Initiatives and Hiring Opportunities

Most construction companies think they're using BIM. They're not. And it's costing them 20% on every project.

In this episode of Bricks & Bytes, Owen sits down with Dave from Procore's BIM team and Tore Hovland, founder of NovaRender (recently acquired by Procore), to unpack what's really happening in the BIM space and why two major acquisitions just changed the game.

Key topics discussed:

• Why BIM adoption is actually 20-30%, not the 70% everyone claims

• The hidden 2GB browser limit killing your ability to view large models

• How building from 2D vs 3D vs full BIM changes cost overruns from 20% to 5%

• Why Procore spent millions acquiring NovaRender and Flypaper simultaneously

• The streaming technology that lets you open 50-mile infrastructure projects in seconds

• What 80% of acquisitions fail and why culture matters more than tech

• The future where construction happens without drawings

"Where we're going, there are no drawings. You could actually build off the model. It could actually be the permit that goes out." - Dave, Procore

If you've ever wondered why your BIM models won't load, why projects keep going over budget, or what the hell is actually happening with construction technology right now, this episode breaks it all down.

---------------

Our Sponsor:

Archdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.com

BuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.io

Chapters

• 00:00 Intro
• 02:00 Introduction to Procore and NovaRender Acquisition
• 04:02 Winning BIM: Strategies and Challenges
• 06:52 The Significance of NovaRender in BIM
• 12:04 The Vision Behind NovaRender's Creation
• 15:42 The Decision to Partner with Procore
• 16:57 Acquisition of Flypaper: Enhancing BIM Solutions
• 19:51 BIM Adoption Trends and Statistics
• 23:47 The Impact of BIM on Project Costs
• 28:49 Procore's Growth Strategy in Europe
• 30:26 The Importance of Data Ownership in BIM
• 37:41 Dave's Background and Its Influence on Procore
• 39:16 The Evolution of BIM and Sustainable Construction
• 41:04 User-Centric Design in Construction Technology
• 42:45 Streamlining BIM Models for Field Use
• 45:40 Defining Success in BIM Adoption
• 50:20 Lessons from Founding NoRender
• 54:17 The Acquisition Process: Insights and Experiences
• 01:03:53 Future Predictions for BIM and Construction Technology

Jan Hendrik Goldbeck CEO of GOLDBECK grew his family construction business from €750M to €7B by treating buildings like LEGO.

In this episode of Bricks & Bytes, we sit down with Hendrik Goldbeck, CEO of Goldbeck Group, who reveals how 60 years of stubborn innovation and perfect timing transformed a small German metalworking shop into Europe's construction powerhouse.

FULL DOCUMENTARY COMING FRIDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER, SUBSCRIBE TO @BBBeyond TO STAY UPDATED: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQPQc0blM3k

Key topics discussed:

- The 1969 origin story: Why his father rejected "we've always done it this way" thinking

- German reunification luck: How overnight demand boom accelerated their product approach

- The "war of all against all": Why traditional construction's sequential trade-by-trade model fails

- From steel elements to turnkey buildings: 60 years of step-by-step evolution

- Decentralization strategy: Getting close to architects and engineers in early design stages

- Why construction tech "Tesla" startups keep failing (spoiler: it's still physical construction)

- The asset-heavy advantage: Why Katerra failed and patient money wins

- Cultural integration challenges: Germans want execution, French want endless discussion

- AI's future impact: Prompt-driven design cutting pre-construction from months to weeks

- "Nature positive buildings" moonshot: Carbon neutral concrete without green premiums

- US expansion plans and the importance of local JV partnerships

- Leadership philosophy: Open hierarchies vs flat hierarchies

"You cannot come from outside and say 'I'm going to be the Tesla of construction.' It's still construction with all the physical restraints. Each project is still individual even with a product approach." - Hendrik

From surviving the 2008 financial crisis by going anti-cyclical to planning voice-activated building configurators, discover how this stubborn German family business is industrializing construction one LEGO brick at a time.

Check out our interview with Goldbeck's tech team here: https://youtu.be/vDNUsgVmZHg

Enjoy this? Want further exclusive insights in AEC tech? Sign up to our newsletter: https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/

----------------

Chapters

0:00 - Introduction & Company Growth Story

1:04 - Goldbeck Origins & Industrialization Vision

6:02 - German Reunification & Market Transformation

9:20 - Strategic Growth & International Expansion

14:37 - The Goldbeck System & Product Approach

19:05 - Industry Resistance & Competitive Landscape

22:09 - Growth Philosophy & Strategic Priorities

27:35 - Future of Construction & Technology

34:06 - Sustainability & Nature Positive Buildings

38:02 - Leadership & Company Culture

42:01 - Customer Value & Business Model

44:13 - Startup Ecosystem & Innovation

45:43 - Global Expansion Strategy

This German construction giant cracked the code on building 500 projects per year with LEGO-like precision.

In this episode of Bricks & Bytes, we sit down with Fabian, Managing Director of Goldbeck Technologies, who reveals how this family-owned company complete rewrote the rules of construction by treating buildings like configurable products rather than one-off projects.

FULL DOCUMENTARY COMING FRIDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER, SUBSCRIBE TO ‪ @BBBeyond TO STAY UPDATED https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQPQc0blM3k

Key topics discussed:

- Why traditional construction is broken (fragmented design with no shared responsibility)

- The "LEGO approach": How standardized building systems enable mass customization

- 480-person R&D department developing everything from AI chatbots to augmented reality quality control

- Building Operating System: Creating live digital twins for operations and maintenance

- Why most construction startups fail by trying to "make horses better instead of building cars"

- From 3,700 to 14,000 employees: The 40-year journey to their "hockey stick" moment

- 570+ software solutions and the challenge of managing technological complexity

- AI as an interface layer: Using agents to orchestrate multiple tools seamlessly

- Decarbonizing concrete and steel: Already 35% below market average carbon footprint

- The configurator vs. client choice dilemma: "We give options, not open-ended questions"

"We try to sell a product rather than an individual project. It's like configuring your car - you can decide comfort steering wheel or sporty steering wheel, small engine or racing engine. We make sure everything fits together." - Fabian

From factories producing prefabricated elements to augmented reality construction management, discover how Goldbeck industrialized an industry that most consider "un-industrializable."

Check out our interview with GOLDBECK's CEO, Jan Hendrik: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-zrwzhId0c

Enjoy this? Want further exclusive insights in AEC tech? Sign up to our newsletter: https://bricksbytes.beehiiv.com/

Chapters

0:00 - Fabian's Role at Goldbeck Technologies

0:49 - Company Culture & Technology Foundation

1:12 - Building 500 Buildings Per Year with Technology

2:31 - Goldbeck Technologies: 480 People R&D Division

3:50 - Balancing Future Innovation vs Immediate Profits

5:52 - Building Operating System & Digital Twin Development

6:53 - Most Exciting Innovation Areas & Nature Positive Buildings

8:40 - Traditional Construction Problems vs Goldbeck's Solution

9:58 - Product Approach & Early Client Engagement Strategy

12:05 - Finding Clients Early: Regional Sales & AI Tools

13:43 - In-House Design Teams vs External Consultants

14:46 - Product-Specific BIM Implementation

15:31 - Client Education & Overcoming Market Resistance

18:15 - Decision-Making Process: Car Configurator Analogy

19:13 - Lean Construction vs Managing Just-in-Time Delivery

20:39 - Why Few Companies Use This Approach (40-Year Development)

22:11 - Complex Business Model Requirements

22:59 - Technology Success Stories: Building Automation

24:19 - Augmented Reality for Quality Control

25:54 - Software Development Team (120-140 People)

27:03 - ID Solution Process: Build vs Buy Decisions

28:00 - AI Department & Implementation Strategy

29:36 - Internal AI Chatbot & Knowledge Management

30:43 - AI in Design: Configurators vs AI Designers

31:46 - Managing 570+ Software Solutions

33:00 - AI as Interface for Multiple Tools

34:50 - Robots in Factories vs Construction Sites

35:44 - Innovation Scouting & Stage-Gate Process

36:52 - Venture Capital Fund Partnerships

38:56 - Direct Startup Investments & Focus Areas

40:41 - Sustainability & Carbon Neutral Goals

42:19 - Timber vs Concrete: Cost-Benefit Analysis

44:00 - 35% Carbon Reduction in Concrete Elements

45:04 - Success Metrics & Company Culture

47:10 - Goldbäcker Family Culture & Work Environment

"If you're a VP of Sales and things go wrong, you either failed or got a bad plan. But if you're a CRO and things go wrong, you probably shouldn't have taken the job."

In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we had Mike Pettinella and we got to learn about scaling construction tech from zero to a $275M exit, the brutal realities of international expansion, and why targeting owners instead of contractors is the harder but smarter play... and many more!

Tune in to find out about:

✅ Why sales is only two things: volume and efficiency (and you can't train volume)

✅ The real difference between selling to American vs British buyers

✅ How Building Connected went from zero revenue to Autodesk acquisition

✅ Why dedicated reality capture beats DIY solutions every time

Mike's journey from forensic construction consulting to leading sales at unicorn startups reveals hard-won insights about building in the most relationship-driven industry on earth.

Listen on Spotify now to hear the full conversation.

-----------

Our Sponsor:

Archdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.com

BuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.io

---------------

Chapters

00:00 Intro

02:49 Understanding Roles: CRO vs. VP of Sales

03:58 Building Connected: The Journey to Acquisition

06:05 Transitioning to Monetization: Challenges and Strategies

07:55 Sales Strategies: From Inside Sales to Enterprise Deals

11:49 Geographic Sales Dynamics: Where's the Business?

14:03 Consulting to Sales: Skills and Strategies Transferred

16:22 Managing Sales Volume: Efficiency and Technology

19:14 Cultural Shift: Selling in EMEA vs. North America

24:59 Expanding Markets: Product Adaptation is Key

28:58 OnSight IQ: The Journey and Vision of a Startup

33:34 Characteristics of Great Founders: Relentlessness and Empathy

37:25 Cooking and Morning Routines

38:38 Targeting Owners in Construction

42:54 The Importance of Construction Data Ownership

46:12 Strategies for Targeting Developers

49:14 Reality Capture in Construction

53:04 Best Practices for Reality Capture

56:08 Future of Data Utilization in Construction

58:45 Speeding Up Sales Cycles

1:00:35 Managing Multiple Stakeholders

1:02:09 Closing Big Deals

1:04:04 Pricing Strategies in Construction Tech

1:05:48 Mentoring in Sales

1:09:02 The Story Behind the Art

1:11:29 Exciting Product Developments