AEC Trailblazers: The Founders Files

Get ready for a deep dive into the future of mechanical design—where precision meets innovation. Chris Barton , the brilliant mind behind Drafter , is rewriting the rules of engineering workflows with a blend of technical genius and entrepreneurial vision. Imagine turning complex engineering challenges into elegant, automated solutions. GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) has always been...

Buckle up for a wild ride through the digital construction world with Alex Hanna —a high school dropout turned BIM rockstar. From drafting tables to disrupting talent recruitment, Alex's story is anything but ordinary. In this e-verse podcast episode, we're diving deep into how one person can transform an entire industry. STRIVE isn't just another recruiting platform—it's a game-changer. Imagine a...

In this episode of AEC Traiblazers, we dive deep into the construction industry’s persistent challenges with project schedule accuracy—where 88% of schedules fail to meet best practices. Michael Pink , founder and CEO of SmartPM Technologies , breaks down why this gap exists and how real-time analytics can help project teams turn unreliable schedules into powerful, actionable insights. Michael’s e...

In this captivating episode, Jack Sadler , the brains behind Part3 , peels back the layers of product management tailored for the drafting tables and hard hats of architects and engineers. He illuminates how cutting-edge innovation is giving the AEC industry's pricing structures a much-needed facelift, hammering home the point that flexibility is key in this tough-as-nails business model. Jack doe...

In this episode of AEC Traiblazers, Matt Jones , Founder of The Dragon Group , joins Valentin Noves to discuss how technology is reshaping workforce management in the AEC industry . With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by builders, site managers and business owners, Matt shares insights on how Dragon App streamlines the recruitment process for casual labor . He explains how their plat...

In this episode, Stacy Smedley , Executive Director of Building Transparency , dives deep into the importance of sustainability in the built space and climate actions that reduce embodied carbon . Stacy explores the groundbreaking work behind the Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator (EC3) , a free tool that allows architects, builders and project managers to analyze the carbon impact of mate...

In this episode of AEC Traiblazers, we take a deep dive into the intersection of technology and the construction industry with Di-Ann Eisnor , a seasoned entrepreneur and current Chief Strategy Officer at WakeCap . With a track record that spans leadership roles at Waze, Google and Crews by Core, Di-Ann brings an unparalleled understanding of how IoT is transforming job sites. As she explains, "Co...

In this episode of AEC Traiblazers, we dive deep into the world of construction equipment management with Oded Ran , CEO of Clue Insights , a game-changing company driving efficiency across the industry. With over 20 years of experience in mobile software and SaaS , Oded shares his expertise on PLG (Product-Led Growth) strategies and what it takes to optimize a company’s most valuable assets: its...

In this episode, Robert Dahlstrom , CEO of Apellix , delves into the latest advancements in drone technology and its transformative impact on the AEC) industry . These aren't just flying machines—they're sophisticated "flying computers" designed to enhance safety and efficiency in some of the most dangerous industrial environments. Robert explores how Apellix's custom-designed drones are used for...

In this episode, we dive into the groundbreaking world of smart flooring sensors with Joe Scanlin , co-founder and CEO of Scanalytics . Discover how their patented sensor technology is transforming the flooring industry by providing unparalleled building intelligence. From integration with commercial carpeting to innovative installation processes, these sensors are setting a new standard in occupa...

In this episode of AEC Trailblazers, we dive into how  Alec Pestov , CEO of vGIS , is revolutionizing the way we think about city construction using AR and Twin Technologies. Alec’s company leverages intuitive AI to optimize large-scale construction processes and streamline project documentation, setting a new standard in the AEC industry. He shares his vision of a future where cities are built an...

In this episode of AEC Trailblazers: The Founders Files , meet George Smithies , a seasoned Chartered Engineer, entrepreneur, and Forbes' 30 Under 30. Hear George’s perception of the challenges of founding a company, especially after a traditional career path, which presents a straightforward journey. While following a set career path provides a clear direction, starting your own business requires...

In this episode of AEC Trailblazers: The Founders Files , we sit down with Cristiano , the passionate co-founder and CPO of laiout , a PropTech startup revolutionizing floor plan design. Cristiano's journey, from the bustling streets of Rome to the innovative tech scene of Oslo, is a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering commitment to the AEC industry. We delve into Cristiano's tr...

In this episode of AEC Trailblazers: The Founders Files, discover how Josh Graham , a visionary in the construction and climate tech industries, is revolutionizing the way we tackle weather-related risks. In this episode, learn about the hidden costs of weather on construction projects and how Josh's groundbreaking startup, EHAB , is using data and AI to help builders weather the storm. Weather-re...

In this episode of AEC Trailblazers: The Founders Files , get to know Tim 's entrepreneurial journey. With a desire to start a data analytics consulting company, he soon realized his true passion lay in the digital construction world. Fueled by the challenges of the pandemic, he decided to take the leap and start a startup. With this goal, Tim joined Antler , a global VC incubator, where he met hi...

Innovation in the Design, Construction and Management In this episode of AEC Trailblazers: The Founders Files , meet Adam , the serial entrepreneur behind Bad Monkeys , Bimbeats, and Autonomation . Join us as we discuss the transformative shift in the AEC industry, driven by a wave of innovative startups. Australia has emerged as a global leader in this space, with even smaller cities and contract...

Bending Tech to Meet the Build by Combining Power and Data This episode of AEC Trailblazers: The Founders Files features Jim Baldwin , a Silicon Valley veteran with a storied career at tech behemoths like Apple , Microsoft , and Intel , who has taken an unconventional path into the construction industry. While his background is steeped in software and hardware innovation, he has found a unique opp...

Revolutionizing Construction Scheduling with AI This episode of AEC Trailblazers: The Founders Files features René Morkos , the founder and CEO of ALICE Technologies , a software solution aimed at revolutionizing construction planning and scheduling. The conversation begins with a discussion about the gap between academic theory and practical application, a challenge René encountered during his Ph...

Merging Expertise for Next-Level AEC Content This episode dives into the inspiring story of Gary Sprague , a long-time outsider who became a co-founder of two successful AEC startups, Andekan and Kinship . His journey is a testament to the power of collaboration and embracing new perspectives. Gary's background wasn't in AEC. He initially worked in finance, focusing on social impact and environmen...

The Power of Knowledge and Effective Management in AEC This week's podcast delves into the fascinating world Christopher Parsons , Founder and CEO of Knowledge Architecture . Our guest takes us on a surprising career journey, from law school to the world of architecture, ultimately leading him to found a successful software startup. The conversation highlights the growing importance of capturing a...

From Bootstrapping to Building Businesses within Entrepreneurship Dive into the inspiring journey of James Benham , a serial entrepreneur who's also a bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and host of a top-rated podcast . James takes us from his early days all the way to becoming a successful tech entrepreneur. In this episode, you'll gain valuable insights on navigating the entrepreneurial path. Jam...

Hacking the AEC with Smart Connections & Data This episode of the AEC Trailblazers: The Founders Files dives into the story of Havard Vasshaug , the founder of two impressive startups: Anker and Reope . We'll hear about his path from his early days working in the tech industry after college to his current role leading innovative companies. Along the way, Havard shares valuable lessons learned thro...

From Whale of an Idea to Software Giant: The John Walker and AutoCAD Story This episode of the AEC Trailblazers: The Founders Files , pays tribute to John Walker, the visionary who founded Autodesk and AutoCAD, the software that transformed design by making it digital and accessible. John, who passed away earlier this year, left an indelible mark on our industry and the way we work every day. We'l...

A Story of Lifelong Learning and Business Success in AEC In this episode of AEC Trailblazers: The Founders Files , we meet industry veteran Steve Dell'Orto . Steve's journey is nothing short of inspiring. He rose from intern to lead one of the largest US general contractors, averaging $5-6 billion annually! Now, he's a successful investor and entrepreneur in the ConTech scene. Steve shares invalua...

The Power of Consolidation in a Fragmented Software Industry This episode of the AEC Trailblazers: The Founders Files features Matt Perrott , a passionate Melbourne surfer and civil engineer turned software guru. Matt co-founded a company with his former boss's boss, proving great ideas can come from anywhere. He shares his journey of launching BuildPass , a construction software business during C...