Bricks And Bytes

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

In today’s episode of Bricks & Bytes, we have Jimmy Jia, Venture Partner, ESG at Pi Labs. We learn about how ESG is transforming investment decisions, what ESG metrics startups should focus on, and much more! Tune in to find out about: How ESG metrics are becoming key drivers for construction tech investors The right time for startups to begin tracking ESG factors Tips from an ESG investor on how startups should approach funding If you're enjoying the podcast, I'd really appreciate if you could leave a rating and review. (00:00:00 - 00:02:00) - Intro (00:02:00 - 00:04:41) - About Energy Efficiency of buildings (00:04:41 - 00:10:26) - About Sustainable Finance  (00:10:26 - 00:15:30) - ESG issues and complexities (00:15:30 - 00:29:30) - Financial accounting for sustainability (00:29:30 - 00:36:40) - Building green startups (00:36:40 - 00:43:32) - Balancing work and environmental goals (00:43:32 - 00:43:46) - Outro

In today’s episode of Bricks & Bytes, we have Alan Mosca, Co-Founder and CTO at nPlan In this episode, we learn about how AI is starting to transform construction planning, design, and risk analysis, how generative AI is helping architects rapidly iterate over design options, and much more! Tune in to find out about: How NPlan accurately analyses historical project data to predict future delays and budget overruns with over 90% accuracy His predictions for design to be completed with conversational AI What jobs AI threatens the most Tips for technical founders in ensuring their AI products solve real problems and the importance of vertical specialisation. If you enjoy today’s episode, leave us a comment. And don’t forget to subscribe to our channel! ---------------------------------------- Alan Mosca | Co-Founder and CTO at nPlan -------------------------------------- Timestamps: (00:00:00 - 00:02:13) - Intro (00:03:31 - 00:08:18) - How Alan got into machine learning and AI (00:08:19 - 00:16:12) - Use of AI to predict construction project risks  (00:16:13 - 00:24:18) - How to apply AI/ML to optimization and planning in construction (00:24:19 - 00:45:26) - Impact of AI in construction (00:45:26 - 00:48:26) - Outro

Mark Worrall, CEO of BBI Services Ltd, discusses how technology works best when solving well-defined problems, the misconception that technology can magically fix problems, and the importance of a production-led approach for modular fabrication in construction.