A venture capitalist walks into a bar.

"I'll have what everyone else is having."

Patrick told that joke about his own profession on this week's Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, and it set up the sharpest exchange of the episode: venture stopped backing hard problems and started buying momentum.

We're joined by Alain Waha, CTO of Buro Happold, and Richard Fifita, CEO of Veyor, fresh off a $7.5M Series A, alongside Dustin DeVan.

What we get into:

→ Autodesk's $3.6 billion all cash acquisition of MaintainX, and why Dustin, who watched this strategy take shape from inside Autodesk, says it all leads back to the digital twin

→ "Knowledge arbitrage": Alain's framework for what stays defensible when knowledge becomes computable

→ Why construction robotics needs systems integrators more than it needs humanoids

→ How Veyor went from backed up concrete trucks to managing deliveries at JFK, SFO and major data center projects

Full episode is live now on YouTube and Spotify.

#bricksandbytes #bricksbytes #bricksbucksandbytes #aec #construction #constructiontech #ai #vc

Our Sponsors:

BreadCrumb- 50,000+ projects globally. All running safer, faster, with Breadcrumb. - breadcrumb.co

Aphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.co

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

Chapters

00:00 Intro

00:30 Introduction and Technical Challenges

03:21 Live Streaming and Event Experiences

06:13 Autodesk's Acquisition of MaintainX

11:50 Data Ownership and Predictability in Construction

16:23 Knowledge Arbitrage in Engineering and Robotics

20:00 Exploring Knowledge Arbitrage in Robotics

22:06 The Role of Systems Integration in Construction Robotics

22:54 Challenges in Robotics for Construction Trades

24:16 Collaborative Robots: The Future of Construction

25:59 The Disconnect Between Innovation and AI in Construction

27:30 Testing Software vs. Materials in Construction

27:45 The Reluctance to Experiment in Construction Tech

29:52 Capital Efficiency and Technology Adoption in Construction

32:49 The Venture Capital Landscape and Its Challenges

36:33 The Future of Venture Capital in Technology

44:46 Innovative Event Planning in Construction Technology

47:26 Branding and Customer Perception in Construction

48:11 Disruption in Construction: Insights from Automotive Industry

51:09 Bouygues' Innovation Lab: A New Era for Construction

51:53 Introducing Richard: Veyor's Journey and Innovations

56:59 Streamlining Material Management in Construction

01:01:58 Challenges in Construction Scheduling and Delivery

01:05:36 The Aussie Tech Scene in Austin, Texas

"AI won't help you if you're still using clunky software with a six-month learning curve." – Anita Venkiteswaran, E3 Tech

In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we sat down with Anita, the driving force behind E3 Tech's AI-powered M&A strategy in construction, alongside two of her platform companies: Rob Metz (Sylvan) and Chris Weaver (Egan).

Tune in to hear about:

✓ Why 25,000+ specialty contractors represent a massive M&A opportunity

✓ How AI is finally solving construction's 40-year productivity decline

✓ What jobsite credibility really means for founders building construction tech

✓ Why unified AI systems beat fragmented "point solutions" every time

Available now on Spotify and YouTube.

#aec #construction #constructiontech #bricksandbytes #bricksbytes #ai #vc

Chapters

00:00 Intro

01:39 Introduction to E3's Model and AI in M&A

07:41 Identifying Ideal Acquisition Targets

10:34 The Role of Technology in Modern Construction

13:45 The Entrepreneur in Residence Model

16:35 The Impact of AI on Construction Efficiency

19:52 Building Relationships with AI Startups

22:29 The Future of AI in Construction

31:59 Leveraging AI for Contract Management

32:42 The Evolution of VDC and BIM in Construction

34:14 Enhancing Processes with Robotics and AI

35:38 Attracting Talent through Technology

36:38 AI Amplifying Human Expertise

38:35 Transitioning Businesses and Succession Planning

40:12 Navigating Business Ownership Transitions

42:42 The Necessity of Adapting to Change

46:41 Lessons Learned from Technological Implementation

48:18 The Future of AI in Construction

53:44 The Importance of Unified AI Solutions

55:31 Integrating AI with Emerging Technologies

58:27 Opportunities for Collaboration in the Industry

"You could get 60 reviews of a pizza in six seconds, but finding a new contractor takes 12 months and spreadsheets."

That's how Riggs Kubiak described the construction industry in 2011 when he started Honest Buildings as a marketplace to connect owners with contractors.

It didn't work.

The pivot? A project management platform that became so valuable, Procore acquired it.

We sat down with Riggs to talk about what killed the original idea, what saved the company, and why the phase of entrepreneurship nobody prepares for is what comes after the acquisition.

His new book "Earned" launches June 2nd. Buy it here.

The real conversation:

✓ Why dominating a small category beats chasing everyone's problems

✓ The execution hell of building two-sided marketplaces

✓ What nobody tells you about life post-exit

✓ The founder moments that don't make it into LinkedIn posts

Watch the full episode now on YouTube and Spotify.

#bricksandbytes #constructiontech #entrepreneurship #founders #aec

Our Sponsors:

BreadCrumb- 50,000+ projects globally. All running safer, faster, with Breadcrumb. - breadcrumb.co

Aphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.co

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

Chapters

00:00 Intro

01:28 Introduction and Journey to Honest Buildings

04:49 The Evolution of Honest Buildings

11:10 Navigating the Pivot: Lessons Learned

13:41 Sales Cycle Challenges in Construction Tech

13:42 Sponsors

16:44 Sales Cycle Challenges in Construction Tech

28:45 Reflections on Key Mistakes and Difficult Times

30:57 Acquisition by Procore: The Journey Ahead

34:02 Closing the Gap in Construction Management

35:38 The Importance of Negotiation in Acquisitions

39:34 Navigating Post-Acquisition Roles

42:00 The Entrepreneurial Residence Experience

46:39 Founders Forum: Building Community

48:45 Understanding Acquisition Motivations

53:20 Reflections on the Integration Process

56:13 The Journey of Entrepreneurship

1:02:33 Life After Acquisition: The Next Chapter