Construction companies are posting "impossible" growth numbers while tech giants can't spend their billions. What's really happening?

In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Owen, Dustin, and Patric dive deep into the shocking stories reshaping the construction industry, plus a special guest appearance from construction tech veteran Dex who just raised $3 million to solve the industry's biggest crisis.

What we cover:

• Turner Construction's mind-blowing 44% revenue growth (and why it's "impossible")

• The Figma IPO scandal that cost early investors millions

• Why Meta can't spend $150 billion even though they want to

• Construction's $20 billion labor shortage crisis

• Why 85% of AI projects fail (and the patterns that actually work)

• Energy bottlenecks blocking massive infrastructure spending

• Dex's new startup Propel People tackling the skilled worker shortage

Key Quote: "This is highway robbery for the existing investors... they just lost a ton of value." - Patric on the Figma IPO controversy

From billion-dollar construction wins to IPO disasters, energy grid meltdowns to recruiting revolutions - this episode reveals the hidden forces driving massive changes across the industry. Whether you're in AEC, tech, or just curious about where the economy is heading, these insights will change how you see the business world.

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Chapters

00:00 Intro

01:00 Origins of 'Okay' and Its Cultural Significance

03:40 Turner's Impressive Growth in Construction

06:21 Diversification and Strategic Partnerships in Construction

09:23 Turner's Expansion into European Markets

12:14 Figma's IPO and Market Dynamics

15:01 Valuation Challenges and Investor Sentiment

18:16 Banking Practices and IPO Pricing Strategies

25:21 The State of AI in Enterprises

29:16 Challenges of Pilot Programs

30:53 Historical Insights on Project Failures

35:00 Ensuring Technology Adoption

41:43 Energy Infrastructure Bottlenecks

47:36 Introduction to Propel People

52:13 Building a Recruiting Platform for Construction

56:24 Sourcing Talent in the Construction Industry

58:18 Evolution of Technology in Construction

60:11 The Role of Social Media in Recruitment

63:04 Founder-Led Sales and Market Insights

67:05 Setting Foundations for Success in Startups