"I got employee of the year in 2016 for introducing Excel to my company."

That's the state of technology in the $300 billion store development industry.

In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we sat down with Genevieve Davis and Alim Uderbekov from Surfaice. These two met on a beach in California (yes, really) and decided to tackle one of the most analog industries out there with AI agents.

Here's what we covered:

✅ Why companies building hundreds of stores aren't using Procore (hint: it's expensive and they're retailers, not developers)

✅ The "McDonald's is a race car" analogy - why 40,000 cookie-cutter restaurants are actually the perfect use case for AI in construction

✅ How code is becoming a commodity and why that changes everything about vertical software

✅ Why AI won't take your job, but people who know how to use it will

Link in comments - give it a listen if you're in retail, store development, or just want to hear how two people turned a beach conversation into a company.

Our Sponsors:

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

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

Chapters

00:00 Intro

03:46 Introduction to Surface and Founders' Backgrounds

06:48 The Vision Behind Surface and AI in Construction

09:41 The Meeting of Minds: Genevieve and Alim's Collaboration

12:45 Current Challenges in Store Development

15:30 AI's Role in Automating Construction Processes

18:32 Efficiency Gains and Time Savings with AI

21:44 The Future of Store Development and Human Touchpoints

24:30 Defensibility and Business Model of Surface

27:25 Funding and Future Plans for Surface

39:13 Investment Insights and Strategic Partnerships

41:31 Customer Engagement and Feedback

44:33 AI in Construction: Transforming Workflows

47:14 Navigating the Go-To-Market Strategy

54:20 Understanding Competition in the AI Space

59:25 Customization and Onboarding Process

01:03:07 Future of AI in Construction

"If we just listened to what our customers wanted, we would have had a faster horse."

Everyone knows the Henry Ford quote, but Lee Mullin actually showed us what it means for construction tech.

In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we sat down with Lee from BuildArc. He spent 18 years at Autodesk, and honestly, the conversation completely changed how we think about talking about products.

Here's what stuck with us: we're all making ourselves the hero of the story. We love talking about our amazing AI tools, our productivity gains, our revolutionary features. But Lee said something that hit different - your customer needs to be Luke Skywalker. You're just Yoda, guiding them along.

Tune in to find out about:

✅ Why taking people from "9 to 20" beats incremental improvements from "9 to 10"

✅ The framework Lee used to convince construction crews that iPads weren't "voodoo"

✅ How to tell stories that actually connect (hint: it's about project managers lying awake at night, not your feature list)

✅ Why the best customer stories need tension and conflict (even though corporate hates that)

The reality is, there's so much noise in AEC tech right now. If you can't tell a story that makes people feel understood, you're just another vendor promising productivity.

Watch the full episode now. Link in the comments!

Our Sponsors

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

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

Chapters

00:00 Intro

03:48 The Importance of Storytelling in Business

13:32 Navigating the AEC Technology Landscape

21:44 Crafting Compelling Presentations

27:22 Building a Storytelling Framework

31:13 Transforming Customer Stories into Success

37:28 The Human Element in AI

42:11 Understanding Personas in Storytelling

44:26 Frameworks for Effective Storytelling

53:01 Building Conflict and Tension in Stories

"You can drop 30% of your project management labor right now."

In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Darren Martin from AInvested and we got to learn about the harsh realities of digital transformation in AEC, how private equity firms value tech-enabled companies, and why most innovation initiatives fail to scale... and many more!

Darren left his role as Chief Digital Officer at Atkins Realis to advise PE firms and help construction tech startups break through growth barriers. His perspective from both sides of the table reveals uncomfortable truths about how the industry approaches technology.

Tune in to find out about:

✅ Why most companies are "digitally dabbling" instead of transforming

✅ How PE firms assess digital transformation value in billion-dollar acquisitions

✅ The specific labor reductions possible with current AI tools (hint: it's 30% in project management)

✅ Why small AEC firms can now compete with market leaders in ways that weren't possible before

Watch now to hear how the game is changing for construction companies willing to move beyond pilot projects.

Also, have a look at this article to know more: https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/aecom-jacobs-downgraded-uncertainty-over-180008836.html

Our Sponsors:

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

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

Chapters

00:00 Intro

03:30 Introduction and Background

08:13 Transitioning to Private Equity and Startups

13:35 The Role of Private Equity in AEC Companies

18:22 Digital Transformation and Value Creation

23:20 Market Trends and Company Sizes

28:20 Leveraging Technology for Business Value

33:07 Digital Accelerators and Human-Centric Approaches

35:22 Optimizing Construction Processes for Efficiency

37:51 Tying Technology to Corporate Success

41:42 Proving Value at the Project Level

43:55 The Balance of Show and Tell in Sales

49:09 Purposeful Change in the Construction Industry

A controller was spending 3 days a month just reconciling Excel reports across 80 projects.

And that's just one person. Imagine the time sink across the entire org.

In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we had Joe Wilson from PROJEXION and we got to learn about the real state of construction data (spoiler: it's a disaster), why hiring data scientists isn't solving the problem, and how teams are finally breaking free from the endless cycle of firefighting... and many more!

Tune in to find out about:

✅ Why the 2018 point solution boom created a data fragmentation nightmare

✅ The gap between builders and data scientists that nobody talks about

✅ How one plug-and-play module gave an entire company their time back

✅ What happens when your data goes from "collecting dust" to actually alive

Joe's perspective is refreshing—15 years as a builder before jumping into tech means he actually gets what it's like on the ground. No fluff, just real talk about real problems. Watch now! Link in the comments!

Our Sponsors:

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

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

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

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📲 Follow us:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/

Twitter: https://x.com/bricksbytespod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/

Chapters

00:00:00 Intro

00:03:30 Introduction and Background

00:06:29 The State of Construction Data

00:09:35 Data Fragmentation and Its Impact

00:12:32 Journey from Construction to Software

00:15:12 Building the Solution

00:17:41 The Leap of Faith

00:20:19 Finding the Right Co-Founder

00:23:17 Cultural Shifts in Transitioning Industries

00:26:34 Lessons Learned in Product Development

00:32:43 Transitioning from Construction to Sales

00:37:15 Building Relationships in Sales

00:41:55 Navigating the Sales Cycle

00:45:03 The Importance of Timing in Fundraising

00:46:52 Understanding Projection's Functionality

00:53:11 Integration and Onboarding Process

00:56:05 Real-World Use Cases and Impact

01:01:26 Overcoming Skepticism in Technology Adoption

01:04:47 Future Developments and Opportunities

"I remember just breaking down and crying when the announcement went live."

That's Rob Phillpot describing the moment he sold Aconex to Oracle for $1.2 billion—still the biggest acquisition in construction tech history.

The twist? He wasn't even looking to sell.

In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Rob Phillpot, founder of Aconex and now investor at Glitch Capital, and we got to learn about billion-dollar exits, why construction tech hasn't seen another mega-acquisition since 2018, and what's next for the industry.

Tune in to find out about:

✅ Why Oracle got Aconex at exactly the right moment

✅ The reality of losing control when you go public

✅ Why great construction software doesn't need to be sexy

✅ How AI will eliminate data entry and make tools predictive

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

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

Chapters

00:00 Intro

03:10 The Emotional Journey of Selling Aconex

09:08 The Landscape of Construction Technology Acquisitions

12:10 Life After Aconex: Transitioning to New Ventures

20:11 Key Factors Behind Aconex's Growth

36:16 Navigating Go-to-Market Strategies

41:03 Navigating International Markets

47:19 The Evolution of Digital Marketing

51:59 The Impact of Short Sellers

59:08 Transitioning from Founder to CEO

01:06:51 Innovations in Construction Technology

"We're always running at 100%. Some people love that. I think it's like an adrenaline rush."

That's how Katie Coulson describes leading Skanska Advanced Technology—where construction projects that typically take 2-3 years get done in a fraction of the time.

In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we had Katie Coulson from Skanska Advanced Technology and we got to learn about how they're building data centers and semiconductor fabs at tech company speed, why they're often starting construction before the design is even finalized, and what 31 years in construction has taught her about the future of the industry... and many more!

Tune in to find out about:

✅ How Skanska's vertical unit model combines national tech expertise with local market knowledge to deliver high-speed projects across the US

✅ Why the traditional construction bell curve doesn't exist in data center and semiconductor work—and the type of people who thrive in that chaos

✅ The sophisticated subcontractor relationships that make it possible to mobilize quickly across different markets

✅ Katie's predictions on AI, offsite manufacturing, and robotics as solutions to construction's labor challenges (especially as remote work isn't an option for field teams)

If you're building in the data center or semiconductor space, or just curious about how construction is adapting to move at tech speed, this one's for you. Watch the full episode now. Link in the comment!

📩 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.

Our Sponsors

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

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

Chapters

00:00 Intro

03:20 Introduction to Skanska Advanced Technologies 06:12 The Evolution of High-Tech Construction 09:06 Speed and Efficiency in Construction Projects 12:12 Stakeholder Engagement and Subcontractor Relationships 15:01 Client Demands and Market Dynamics 17:59 Procurement and Buyout Strategies 21:04 Offsite Manufacturing and Prefabrication 23:55 Technology Integration in Construction 26:59 Safety Measures and AI in Construction 30:06 Data Management and Quality Assurance

33:37 Innovations in Construction Technology

37:32 The Role of AI in Streamlining Processes

39:26 Comparing Traditional and Tech-Driven Construction

42:43 Balancing Innovation with Project Constraints

47:31 Managing Client Expectations in Tech Projects

50:42 Structure and Strategy of Advanced Technology Division

54:23 Building Trust and Team Dynamics

57:22 Advice for Aspiring Professionals in Data Centers

59:04 Future Predictions for Construction Technology

Owen and Martin broadcast live from Suffolk's BOOST Demo Day in Boston, going behind the scenes with the entire cohort and some of the biggest names in AEC.What we cover:● Live interviews with the full BOOST cohort including Arki, Cypher Autonomy, DigEnergy, Hardline AI, MOD, Neuron Factory, Aorus Materials, and Puppet Robotics● GOLDBECK's innovation team (Dani and Bjorn) on how a European giant thinks about construction tech●Exclusive conversations with Jit Kee (CTO at Suffolk Construction) and David Hinley (VP Corporate Development at Autodesk)● How these startups are tackling everything from AI-powered design automation to autonomous robotics on job sites● What accelerator demo days reveal about where construction tech is actually heading● Why Boston in winter is brutal for guys in Hawaiian shirtsKey quote: "In today's world, we're building an equivalent of New York City every month worldwide. And after the project is completed, this data is left abandoned. No one is capturing the results." - Natalia, CEO of Arki

"The industry is fundamentally incapable of change because there are so many interconnected problems."

That's what Carl Christensen realized when he first looked at construction from the outside.

In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Carl Christensen, co-founder of Spacemaker (acquired by Autodesk), and we got to learn about why the AEC industry struggles with digital transformation, how outcome-based design can break through systemic barriers, and what it really takes to sell your company... and many more!

Tune in to find out about:

✅ Why designers make critical decisions early without the information they need

✅ How AI-powered simulations can predict sunlight, noise, and wind impacts in seconds

✅ The real story behind the Autodesk acquisition and why cultural alignment mattered most

✅ What Forma Building Design is doing to bridge the gap between sketch and detailed BIM

Watch now to hear how Carl’s team turned systemic problems into a successful exit and what they're building next at Autodesk.

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

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

Chapters

00:00 Intro

03:35 The Journey of Spacemaker: Founding and Vision

16:02 AI in AEC: Transforming Design and Collaboration

24:19 Autodesk Acquisition: The Value of Spacemaker

29:07 Future of AI in AEC: Insights and Predictions

36:21 Translating AI into Reality

42:38 Measuring AI Value in Design

45:15 The Evolution of Forma

54:10 Advice for AEC Product Builders

58:30 Navigating Acquisition Processes

01:07:46 Reflections on Building Spacemaker