A 4x levered AI fund handed its entire public book to Citadel. The S&P 500 crossed $70 trillion days later.And somewhere in the middle of all that, Patric put a date on the next one:"We're 15 months away from that Palantir moment, 100%."Physical automation. His argument: Asia already won the hardware game, so the money is with whoever actually deploys the machines. Which, quietly, is a contractor business.Dustin doesn't buy the humanoid hype. Martin wants to know who gets hurt when the music stops.New Bricks, Bucks & Bytes out now.#bricksandbytes #bricksbytes #bricksbucksandbytes #aec #construction #constructiontech #vc #aiOur Sponsors:BreadCrumb- 50,000+ projects globally. All running safer, faster, with Breadcrumb. - breadcrumb.coAphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.coArchdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.comChapters00:00 Teaser01:00 The AI fund that had to sell everything04:04 Who is Leopold Aschenbrenner?06:54 The S&P 500 hits $70 trillion10:04 Without data centers, GDP is barely growing13:04 Can regulation actually stop a crash?15:53 Why the market might never crash again24:34 Nobody is funding the physical economy25:53 Asia won robot hardware. The Palantir moment is next31:04 Tax the robots, retire at 5534:39 Retraining workers for the robot economy

We asked Scoreboard AI's Charles Ma what the single most expensive mistake contractors make at buyout is. His answer:"Outsourcing their understanding of the project to their trade partners."Charles was employee #1 at Versatile, one of construction tech's most well-funded bets (over $100M raised). Now he's building Scoreboard AI to fix a much quieter problem: scope gaps that get buried in project documents and don't surface until the crew is standing there waiting for a fix.In this episode we get into:- What Versatile got right, and where the product fell short of the ROI it promised- Why Charles thinks "AI wrappers are dead" in preconstruction- How hard bid, GMP, and design-build buyout processes each create their own scope gap risk- Why Scoreboard has deliberately stayed away from flashy fundraise announcementsFull episode is live on Bricks and Bytes Youtube Channel#bricksandbytes #bricksbytes #aec #construction #constructiontech #ai #vcChapters00:00 - Teaser01:00 - Quickfire Round02:32 - Inside Versatile: the early days and the Chase Center project09:27 - Is construction tech overhyped or underhyped right now11:10 - Why Scoreboard has avoided the flashy fundraise playbook16:43 - The perverse incentives of VC-backed construction tech20:21 - Do "AI wrappers" win the current land grab26:02 - Why Charles believes AI wrappers are dead28:25 - What a scope gap actually is, and why it happens at buyout32:55 - Hard bid vs. GMP vs. design-build: where the gaps creep in36:50 - Measuring the real cost of scope gaps41:51 - How Scoreboard AI actually works43:21 - Show your work: building trust in AI outputs48:59 - Pricing philosophy: running Scoreboard like a Costco51:26 - Expansion beyond the US52:41 - What's working in go-to-market right now54:08 - Will AI ever run preconstruction end-to-endOur Sponsors:BreadCrumb- 50,000+ projects globally. All running safer, faster, with Breadcrumb. - breadcrumb.coAphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.coArchdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.com

This week's briefing covers three things that are already changing the shape of construction, one of them from a dirt road in Texas at 4am.Bedrock Robotics was founded by the team behind Waymo's driverless technology. They do not build new excavators. They take the ones contractors already own, fit them with sensors and a computer, and the machine digs on its own. This week we filmed a full documentary with them at Proto Town, a 12 acre test site near Austin where some of the most advanced hard tech companies on earth go to build things they cannot build anywhere else. The operator who has spent his career inside these machines watched one run without him and his answer was relief. The people closest to autonomous equipment are not the ones campaigning against it. The contractor running them on live sites across Texas today says productivity is up, revenue is up, and his crews are happier.Then BlackRock. On Tuesday Meta and BlackRock announced a $14 billion data centre campus in El Paso. BlackRock owns 80%. Meta leases its own building back, operates it, and manages the construction. Roughly 90 cents in every dollar is borrowed. Wall Street used to lend money to these builds. It is now the one that owns them. That changes who your actual client is on the biggest programmes in the market.And then the numbers behind the whole cycle. Over the past fortnight the four biggest data centre customers on earth all opened their books. Moody's tallied what six technology companies will spend on this build this year. $785 billion, heading for a trillion next year. Their word for it was unprecedented. When a ratings agency uses that word, it means they have never had to grade anything like it.The question is no longer whether the work can be built. It is who is paying for it, and whether they can keep on paying.Drop your answer in the comments of this week's LinkedIn post.

$845 million. In cash. That's what Procore just paid for DroneDeploy.We sat down and ran the actual cross-sell math on this deal, and it's a lot steeper than the headline number makes it looWe also got Handoff founder Dmitry Alexin on to talk about his AI estimating tool, and he was clear about one thing: "It's not a tool, it's not a takeoff tool."And PR consultant Kevin Ferguson told us what it actually takes to get a construction tech startup covered in the press. Spoiler: it's not just having a good storyNew episode's up. #bricksandbytes #bricksbytes #bricksbucksandbytes #aec #construction #constructiontech #ai #vcOur Sponsors:BreadCrumb- 50,000+ projects globally. All running safer, faster, with Breadcrumb. - breadcrumb.coAphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.coArchdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.comChapters00:00 - Teaser00:35 - Intro & Today's Agenda01:02 - Procore Acquires DroneDeploy for $845M08:55 - The Cross-Sell Math: Does the Deal Pencil Out?16:28 - Dmitry Alexin (Handoff) Joins: Why Not Another Takeoff Tool21:04 - Building H1: Assemblies, Pricing, and Computer Vision32:58 - The Katerra Postmortem41:04 - Kevin Ferguson Joins: The State of Construction Tech PR

"Construction's never had a software problem. They've had an assimilation problem."That line from Joe Patrois stopped us mid-recording.Joe was there on day one when Palantir walked into Thomas Cavanagh Construction. Eighteen months later, the company runs its operations on Foundry, field adoption of their app sits at 97 percent, and Joe now leads product at Cavtera, a new service provider helping other contractors do the same.In this week's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we get past the Palantir hype and into the jobsite reality:* What "ontology" actually means for a contractor* Why they are stripping operations OUT of the ERP* The change management that matters more than the software* Why data should be the byproduct of operations, not the productAs Joe put it: "AI is an output. You don't do AI. It's an output of operations."Full episode now live on YouTube and Spotify. Link in comments.#bricksandbytes #bricksbytes #aec #construction #constructiontech #ai #vcChapters00:00 Intro00:45 Introduction to Palantir in Construction03:29 The Journey of Kavanaugh Construction05:49 Understanding Ontology and Its Importance06:01 Sponsors11:34 Change Management vs. Software Solutions14:15 Replacing Legacy Systems with Palantir16:35 The Value of Custom Solutions19:43 Data as a Byproduct of Operations22:32 Getting Started with Palantir24:56 Common Pitfalls in Digitization29:06 Building Foundations Before Scaling Solutions32:15 Enhancing Communication Across Workflows36:05 Navigating Change in Established Organizations36:51 The Future of Point Solutions in Construction39:08 Simplifying ERP Systems with Foundry41:21 Common Pain Points in Construction Management42:37 Real-World Applications of Foundry at Kavanaugh46:55 Introducing Captera: A New Service Provider48:19 Tailored Solutions for the Construction Industry49:23 Ongoing Support and Implementation Services51:00 The Future of Software in ConstructionOur Sponsors:BreadCrumb- 50,000+ projects globally. All running safer, faster, with Breadcrumb. - breadcrumb.coAphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.coArchdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.com

"Have we seen the productivity benefit from that? I think it's reasonable to say that no, no, we haven't."That is Ryan Maibach, President and CEO of Barton Malow, on the software stackhis own teams are carrying.Roughly 40 different tools for a project manager. Around 35 for a superintendent.He is not describing a company that failed to adopt technology. He is describing one that adopted a lot of it and is now counting the cost.His point on this week's episode was not that the tools are bad. Several of themwork. It is that digging foundations, placing concrete and erecting steel have not fundamentally changed, while the process wrapped around those activities has grown exponentially more complex. He is seeing burnout, and he is not seeing the productivity.Then he took it somewhere harder.If a construction manager exists partly to help a client overcome informationasymmetry, and AI hands that client the same knowledge directly, what is the service actually worth?Full episode out now. Link below.#bricksandbytes #bricksbytes #aec #construction #constructiontech #ai #vcChapters00:00 Intro01:45 Quickfire: builder or technologist04:41 What Barton Malow actually builds07:28 Where the industry goes in the next ten years09:53 Sponsors12:54 Labour, cost and the technology question13:22 Why the downturn worries him more than the labour shortage16:37 Data centers, and the pushback from inside his own team19:09 Steering a company when nobody knows what happens next22:10 What construction executives should prioritise right now24:42 The AI strategy paradox30:07 Second brains, and what happens to the general contractor33:58 40 tools per PM and no productivity to show for it36:50 LIFTbuild: building a tower from the top down41:39 What they got wrong trying to change the industry45:45 Hyperscalers as clients48:42 How he actually runs his week52:43 What he screens for when hiring56:38 Bias, and the leader he learned the most fromOur Sponsors:BreadCrumb- 50,000+ projects globally. All running safer, faster, with Breadcrumb. - breadcrumb.coAphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.coArchdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.com

This week's briefing explores three of the biggest stories shaping construction.First, we examine the first signs that the data centre boom may be beginning to moderate. Planning activity dipped in June, several high profile projects have been cancelled or withdrawn, and local opposition is increasingly influencing what gets built. We look at what the latest data really says, and whether this is simply a pause or the start of a broader shift.Next, we unpack Arcadis' latest International Construction Costs report, why UK construction has become one of the most expensive markets in the world, and how the balance of power may be shifting from clients to contractors.Finally, we revisit the AI pricing battle as new models, open weight releases and changing enterprise economics reshape the market. We also discuss Microsoft's warning on AI, data ownership and what construction businesses should be thinking about before committing to long term AI strategies.Plus, we cover Monumental's $32M funding round, TerraFirma's $100M Series A, and the business lessons from NFL quarterback Jake Browning's demolition company.

"I've been cut four times."That is an active NFL quarterback talking. Jake Browning backs up Baker Mayfield at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also co-owns Sutter Street Demolition, an interior demolition subcontractor in LA.He started with one $30,000 trash hauling truck. No flashy launch. Just a low stakes way to build relationships with GCs before bidding a single demo job.On this week's Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, we asked him:→ Why he stays away from structural demo (for now)→ How low overhead wins bids without change order games→ Why he'd rather face a third and long blitz than a late paying GCFull episode on YouTube and Spotify. #bricksandbytes #bricksbucksandbytes #construction #constructiontech #aecChapters00:00 Intro00:36 NFL Construction Trivia03:25 NFL Players Who Own Construction Companies06:12 The Biggest NFL Stadiums Ever Built09:05 SoFi Stadium Construction Cost: $2.6B to $5.5B11:57 Jake Browning Joins the Show13:17 Playing QB for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers15:11 Why an NFL Player Started a Demolition Company17:34 Starting a Business With One $30,000 Truck22:11 How Athletes Should Invest Their Money27:21 NFL Lessons for Running a Business30:12 Finding Your Competitive Advantage37:14 How to Bid Demolition Jobs42:19 Leadership Lessons From the NFL42:48 Why Athletes Struggle to Monetize Their Brand44:14 How to Win Work With General Contractors45:28 Why Being Normal Wins in Construction47:17 The Best NFL Stadiums to Play In49:19 The Scariest Player in the NFL51:32 Inside Sutter Street Demolition55:26 Growing a Demolition Business the Right Way🎧 Listen to the Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3P7JkiN9X3N4Kh6jlDsOgi?si=91JP5nxvQbKStkp8AQdAOg 📩 Subscribe to the Bricks & Bytes Newsletter: https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/🌐 Visit our website: http://bricks-bytes.com/📲 Follow us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/ Twitter: https://x.com/bricksbytespod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/Our Sponsors:BreadCrumb- 50,000+ projects globally. All running safer, faster, with Breadcrumb. - breadcrumb.coAphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.coArchdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.comEnjoying the insights? Hit that Subscribe button to stay ahead in construction tech, AI, and the future of how we build.

"If you were saying, I'm adding AI to the product or we're now agentic, we now have an agentic AI component, it's not really news."Katie Zeppieri said the quiet part out loud.We invited the Founder and CEO of The MicDrop Agency onto Bricks & Bytes to demystify PR for construction tech. Her agency worked with Document Crunch from its early days through to the Trimble acquisition, so she has seen exactly what earns coverage and what gets deleted from a journalist's inbox.A few things that stuck with us:Events are still the number one marketing channel in construction, but only if you do the work before you land at the venue.Muck Rack's research found that the overwhelming majority of AI citations come from earned media. If journalists are not writing about you, ChatGPT is not talking about you either.If you have ever sent out a "we now integrate with X" press release, this episode is for you. Full conversation on YouTube and Spotify now.#bricksandbytes #bricksbytes #constructiontech #construction #aec #aiChapters00:00 Intro01:17 How PR Works in Construction Technology03:50 PR Strategy Explained: The Communications Triangle06:44 What Makes a Story Newsworthy?09:34 Common PR Mistakes Startups Make10:22 Sponsors13:23 Why Most PR Announcements Get Ignored15:44 How to Build Relationships With Journalists18:38 How Startups Get Featured in Major Publications21:28 How Speaking at Industry Events Builds Your Brand24:29 In-Person vs Virtual Events: Which Works Best?27:36 How Media Relations Builds Long-Term Credibility28:55 Construction Tech PR Case Study: Document Crunch30:59 How to Announce a Startup Acquisition36:11 PR Strategy for Seed-Stage Startups40:26 Founder-Led Marketing and Personal Branding45:23 Public Speaking Tips for Startup Founders48:00 The Future of PR and Marketing54:16 What PR Will Look Like in 2028Our Sponsors:BreadCrumb- 50,000+ projects globally. All running safer, faster, with Breadcrumb. - breadcrumb.coAphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.coArchdesk -  “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.com

Prototypes and demoware.That was Monumental two years ago, at their $25m Series A.Yesterday they announced a $32m Series B led by Khosla Ventures. In between, their robots laid the entire brickwork on 100 houses, plus canal walls and commercial buildings, as a subcontractor carrying full liability for the work.The day after the announcement, co-founder Salar al Khafaji sat down with us.In his words:"The Series A was basically still like an R&D round... we had some prototypes, we had some like demoware basically.""The Series B was raised off actual success."And the line that will start arguments:"Everyone is obsessed with speed. Speed doesn't really matter."A bricklaying robot company telling you speed doesn't matter. His reasoning is worth the listen on its own.Also in this one:> Why SAM and Hadrian X were too early, and what changed> Day zero to day one of a robot crew arriving on site> The economics vs a traditional bricklaying gang> UK going commercial, US pilots starting this year> Why the entire facade is next. Not in a decade, within a couple of years.🚨 Industry exclusive. Link in comments.#bricksandbytes #constructiontech #aec #ai #vc