Inside Protiv: Building a People-First Construction Platform
In this conversation, Michael Fortenberry, CEO and co-founder of Protiv, shares his journey from a construction background to launching a tech solution tailored for the industry. He emphasizes the power of mentorship, the impact of a strong company culture, and the urgent need for innovation to tackle labor shortages and improve efficiency. Michael dives into the challenges of market research in construction, the emerging role of robotics, and why empowering employees and maintaining daily accountability can transform project outcomes.
Takeaways
Michael’s roots in construction were shaped by his father’s influence.
Mentorship is key to unlocking growth and leadership.
A thriving company culture drives innovation and retention.
Protiv was born to fix broken workflows in construction management.
Good market research = knowing what field teams actually need.
AI and robotics are redefining the future of construction.
Solving the labor shortage requires both tech and people-first thinking.
Empowered employees = productive, loyal teams.
Daily accountability is a simple yet powerful performance driver.
Industry events remain goldmines for relationship-building and marketing.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Michael Fortenberry and His Journey
02:14 Mentorship and Lifelong Learning
05:03 Building People, Not Just Structures
05:57 The Birth of Protiv and Its Challenges
10:18 Market Research and Validation in Construction
12:38 The Future of Technology in Construction
15:22 Addressing Labor Shortages with Robotics
18:31 Company Culture and Employee Empowerment
21:11 Innovations in Incentive Management
25:03 The Importance of Daily Accountability
27:01 Marketing Strategies for Construction Tech
30:39 Rapid Fire Round and Personal Insights
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Why Most Construction Tech Fails—and How FieldProof Gets It Right?
In this conversation, Tyler Campbell, founder of FieldProof, shares his journey from working in his family's construction business to creating a platform that connects field workers with technology solutions. He discusses the challenges faced by construction tech startups, the importance of understanding market dynamics, and the need for structured feedback from field workers. Tyler emphasizes the significance of building relationships in the industry and offers insights on targeting the right market for growth. He also highlights the value of mentorship and the lessons learned from his experiences in the construction technology space.
Takeaways
Tyler's journey in construction began with his family's business.
FieldProof aims to connect field workers with technology solutions.
Understanding the unique needs of field workers is crucial for tech adoption.
Startups should focus on solving specific problems for targeted markets.
Building relationships is key to success in the construction industry.
Mentorship can provide valuable insights and guidance for founders.
The construction tech landscape is diverse and requires tailored approaches.
Feedback from field workers can drive innovation in technology.
Networking at industry events is essential for building connections.
Patience and focus are vital for long-term success in startups.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Tyler Campbell and FieldProof
00:57 Tyler's Journey in Construction and Entrepreneurship
03:05 The Importance of Field Feedback in Construction Tech
05:49 Challenges of Selling to the Field vs. Office
08:00 Understanding the Diverse U.S. Construction Market
08:37 Top Frustrations in Construction Technology
11:37 The Need for Unique Solutions in Construction Tech
13:13 The Role of Venture Capital in Startup Growth
15:17 The Importance of Targeting the Right Clients
17:05 The Long-Term Game in Construction Tech
19:58 Learning from Successful Companies like Procore
24:32 The Challenges of Bootstrapping a Business
26:13 Navigating Market Entry and Building Relationships
30:17 Key Takeaways from the Construction Brothers Podcast
31:35 Essential Conferences for Founders in the Field
33:50 The Importance of Mentorship and Coaching
37:36 Rapid Fire Insights and Personal Reflections
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How AI Is Transforming Architecture: Rada Daleva on Design, Mentorship & Innovation
In this engaging conversation, Rada Daleva, project lead at Studio Tim Fu, shares her journey through architecture and the integration of AI in design. She discusses her proudest moments, the importance of mentorship, and offers valuable advice for aspiring architects. Rada also highlights the unique culture at Studio Tim Fu, the future of AI in architecture, and showcases a significant project—the Lake Bled Villas. The discussion emphasizes the balance between AI and human creativity, the need for innovative education in architecture, and concludes with a rapid-fire round of insights.
Takeaways
Rada’s journey began with a bachelor’s in architecture at Oxford.
She emphasizes the importance of mentorship in her career.
AI integration in architecture is crucial for innovation.
Curiosity and exploration are key for aspiring architects.
Midjourney is a recommended tool for experimentation.
Studio Tim Fu promotes a healthy work-life balance.
AI allows for quicker design outcomes compared to traditional methods.
Open knowledge sharing is vital in the architecture industry.
The Lake Bled project received high praise from local authorities.
Chapters
00:00 Journey into Architecture and AI
02:26 Proud Moments and Mentorship
04:15 Advice for Aspiring Architects
05:45 Exploring Studio Tim Fu’s Culture
06:47 Daily Life as a Project Lead
08:56 The Future of AI in Architecture
12:28 Case Study: Lake Bled Project
17:40 Balancing AI and Human Creativity
19:41 Intuition in Design Decisions
24:17 Teaching Architecture and AI
26:55 Rapid Fire Round
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How Flowlly Is Using Tech to Transfer Knowledge on the Jobsite
In this conversation, Mayur Mistry interviews Rahul Vaishnav, CTO of Flowlly, about his journey in the construction industry and the innovative AI solutions his startup is developing. They discuss the importance of ethical business practices, the challenges of sales in tech startups, and the technical hurdles faced in AI development. Rahul shares insights on leadership, the significance of knowledge transfer in construction, and offers advice for aspiring civil engineers and entrepreneurs. The discussion highlights the transformative potential of AI in the construction sector and the importance of perseverance in the startup journey.
Takeaway
Rahul emphasizes the importance of camaraderie in harsh working environments.
Ethical business practices can thrive even in difficult conditions.
Technology accelerates progress in construction and other industries.
Leadership involves taking risks and making tough decisions.
Sales is a critical skill that technical founders often underestimate.
Focusing on a core solution is essential for startup success.
AI can facilitate knowledge transfer in construction projects.
Technical challenges in AI development require nuanced solutions.
Customer satisfaction is a key metric for evaluating AI performance.
Aspiring entrepreneurs should learn from experienced professionals.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Rahul Vaishnav and Flowlly
03:28 Career Highlights and Leadership Lessons
06:21 The Birth of Flowlly and Its Vision
09:48 Challenges and Perseverance in Startup Journey
12:58 Sales Challenges and Insights
16:03 Reflections on Product Development and Focus
17:49 Deep Dive into Flowlly's Product Features
22:04 Automating Workflows with AI
25:44 Knowledge Transfer in Construction Projects
28:07 Challenges in Building AI Features
32:56 Evaluating AI Performance
34:55 Target Audience for Flowlly
36:57 Engaging with Flowlly
37:40 Advice for Aspiring Civil Engineers
40:29 Staying Updated in AI
42:46 Final Thoughts on Startup Opportunities
📩 Don’t miss future episodes. Subscribe to the AEC Tech + AI Newsletter: https://aiaecdigest.substack.com/
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Building Trust in Sales Development: Lessons from the Construction Industry
In this conversation, Mayur Mistry hosts Mark Facciani, who shares his journey from teaching to the construction industry and his insights on sales development, onboarding, and hiring strategies. Mark emphasizes the importance of leadership, hands-on experience, and building trust in sales. He also discusses the dynamics between sales development representatives and account executives, as well as the significance of character traits in hiring. Mark provides valuable advice for founders looking to enhance their sales processes and emphasizes the need for continuous learning and community support.
Takeaways
Mark transitioned from teaching to construction sales.
Education is about building teams and relationships.
Hands-on experience is crucial in learning a new industry.
Onboarding should include real-world experiences.
Building trust is essential in sales.
Sales development representatives should focus on meaningful outreach.
Account executives should spend time on prospecting.
Hiring should prioritize character traits over experience.
Founders should know their sales metrics before hiring.
Continuous learning and community support are vital for success.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Mark Facciani
00:56 Mark's Career Highlights
06:46 Transitioning from Education to Business
07:05 Navigating Unknowns in Construction
11:13 Onboarding Playbook for Construction
13:24 Sales Strategies in Construction
17:11 Effective Communication in Sales
24:12 Building a Successful SDR Team
30:01 Optimizing Account Executive Performance
33:31 The Role of SDRs in Sales Teams
38:28 When to Hire Sales Support
43:34 Understanding Ramp-Up Times for New Hires
46:29 Compensation Strategies for Sales Roles
50:53 Recommended Reading for Founders
52:54 Common Hiring Mistakes to Avoid
53:55 Advice for Aspiring Sales Professionals
📩 Don’t miss future episodes. Subscribe to the AEC Tech + AI Newsletter: https://aiaecdigest.substack.com/
A platform for professional growth and personal growth for AEC Technologists with inspiring conversations with founders, builders and experts in AEC space.
I am Mayur Mistry, cofounder of 3DGuru.ai, ex Perkins & Will Digital Innovation Technologist with M.Arch at University of Illinois and B.Tech Civil Engineer from IIT Bombay.
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