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Welcome to The ConTechCrew, hosted by Jeff Sample!
Here, we discuss innovation and all things construction tech, including hardware, software, devices, apps, and the strategies for applying them to construction projects.
Tune in each week to get your latest construction tech news update.
Follow us on social media and join the conversation: @TheConTechCrew
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Trade contractors operate at the center of some of construction’s most complex workflows; estimating, procurement, scheduling, fabrication, field execution, change management, and closeout, yet their critical project data often lives across disconnected systems. In this episode, the crew previews Trimble Dimensions 2026 and sits down with Yael Hanan, co-founder and CEO of Pelles AI, to explore how AI could help trade contractors connect those fragmented systems without forcing them to abandon the tools and workflows they already rely on.
The conversation digs into Pelles AI’s vision for an AI infrastructure layer for the trades, connecting information across estimating, takeoff, project management, fabrication, schedules, contracts, and other systems. Yael also shares Pelles AI’s experience with Trimble’s 0 to 60 Challenge, why interoperability matters more than an all-in-one platform, and how better-connected data can move experienced construction professionals away from repetitive work and toward higher-value decision-making.
[00:00] - Episode Teaser
[03:47] - From Construction Law to Construction Tech
[05:56] - Building AI Infrastructure for Trade Contractors
[09:52] - What a Connected Trade Workflow Actually Looks Like
[11:51] - Closing the Gap Between Estimates and Actual Results
[14:15] - Connecting Schedule, Procurement, and Fabrication
[18:30] - Trimble’s 0 to 60 Challenge and the Integration Strategy
[20:04] - Why the Future Is Connected Tech Stacks, Not One Tool
[31:42] - Rapid Fire, What’s Next, and Trimble Dimensions
[38:09] - How to Connect
Construction is facing a growing labor shortage while jobsite safety and productivity remain major challenges. In this episode, host Jeff Sample is joined by Shamoon Siddiqui, founder of Human Friendly Robotics, who explains why the future of construction automation isn't humanoid robots. It’s purpose-built robots designed to solve specific, repetitive tasks. From robotic tile installation to intelligent wire pulling, Shamoon shares how robotics can enhance skilled trades by protecting workers' bodies, improving reliability, and helping the industry scale without replacing craftsmanship.
Shamoon Siddiqui is the founder of Human Friendly Robotics, a New Jersey-based company building robots specifically for the construction industry. With a background in technology and startups, Shamoon brings an outsider's perspective to construction, focusing on solving real-world jobsite problems while empowering skilled tradespeople rather than replacing them.
[00:00] - Episode Teaser
[02:01] - Introduction to today's guest
[02:42] - Shamoon's journey from software startups to construction robotics
[06:34] - Why tile installation became the first robotics opportunity
[10:12] - Protecting craftsmanship while automating repetitive work
[13:48] - Labor shortages, attracting the next generation, and the role of technology
[15:33] - Inside Human Friendly Robotics' engineering culture: "Action generates information"
[16:53] - Building reliable robots for unpredictable construction environments
[22:42] - Adoption challenges: estimating, bidding, unions, and changing construction workflows
[25:36] - Introducing Sparky: the future of intelligent electrical wire pulling
[33:31] - Where to connect
What does it take to launch and grow a successful commercial construction company in today's market? In this episode, host Jeff Sample invites Melissa Drew to share her journey from spending two decades with a national contractor to building a nimble construction management firm focused on large-scale government projects. The conversation explores how smaller contractors can compete with industry giants by prioritizing relationships, quality, planning, and practical technology over unnecessary complexity. Melissa also shares hard-earned lessons on bonding capacity, company growth, and choosing technology that delivers real value.
Melissa Drew is the Founder and CEO of InSite BUILD, a Maryland-based construction management firm specializing in commercial and state government construction projects. After more than 20 years leading major higher education and public-sector projects for a national contractor, Melissa launched InSite BUILD to create a more agile, relationship-driven approach to construction management. Under her leadership, the company secured a $53 million project immediately after launch and continues to grow by combining big-project experience with the flexibility of a small, highly collaborative team.
[00:00] - Episode Teaser
[00:21] - Introduction to Melissa Drew
[01:20] - From national contractor to launching InSite BUILD
[03:40] - Why smaller, more agile construction teams can outperform larger organizations
[05:31] - Building stronger subcontractor relationships through flexibility and trust
[09:04] - Winning work through teamwork, relationships, and a different approach to hard bid projects
[16:10] - Scaling challenges: bonding, risk, and growing a government construction business
[18:09] - Quality-first leadership and eliminating costly rework through better planning
[23:16] - Simple technology with powerful results: Excel, Bluebeam, AI, and visualization
[27:02] - Using Bluebeam to improve collaboration and communication
[38:40] - Choosing the right technology stack, and lessons from software investments
[50:01] - Final thoughts and where to connect
What does it take to transform MEP engineering with generative AI? In this episode, host Jeff Sample sits down with Niklas Lindgren to explore how Endra is building a new AI-powered workplace for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineers. The conversation covers Niklas’s path from law school to founding and exiting a global design-build security company, assembling a world-class technical team, and creating technology that connects engineering calculations, 3D modeling, documentation, and manufacturer data. Niklas also explains how faster, more detailed engineering could improve decision-making for consultants, contractors, general contractors, owners, and manufacturers across the construction ecosystem.
Niklas Lindgren is the Co-founder and CEO of Endra, an AI platform designed to help MEP engineers automate repetitive workflows, generate documentation, and capture institutional knowledge. Before launching Endra, Niklas co-founded and scaled a global design-build security systems company serving hyperscalers, government organizations, logistics providers, and enterprise clients. After selling the company to private equity, he partnered with experienced AI and autonomous systems engineers to build Endra and pursue a broader vision to transform how engineering work is delivered.
Key Takeaways
Timestamps
[00:00] - Episode teaser
[01:42] - Introduction to Niklas Lindgren and Endra
[03:48] - From law school to building a global design-build security company
[05:51] - Founding Endra and recruiting an elite technical team
[11:42] - The core problem Endra is solving for MEP engineers
[13:01] - Automating repetitive design work while keeping engineers in control
[17:48] - Capturing institutional knowledge and productizing engineering expertise
[19:39] - Enterprise adoption, global demand, and Endra’s go-to-market strategy
[25:57] - Raising a $50 million Series A and building for long-term transformation
[33:12] - How AI-powered engineering can improve construction downstream
[39:31] - Final thoughts and where to connect
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The construction industry is facing an unprecedented wave of complexity. Mega-projects, data center expansions, labor shortages, and increasingly interconnected project teams are creating more risk and information overload than ever before. In this episode, host Jeff Sample sits down with the team behind Primepoint AI to discuss how artificial intelligence, knowledge graphs, and connected project data can help construction teams navigate complexity, reduce risk, and make better decisions faster.
Lubomir Bourdev is the Co-Founder and CEO of Primepoint. A computer vision pioneer, he previously worked at Adobe, where he helped develop some of the earliest commercial computer vision applications. Kamran Azarbal serves as VP of Strategy at Primepoint. With a background in Civil Engineering from UC Berkeley and years of experience working for leading general contractors including Turner Construction and Webcor, Kamran brings deep operational knowledge of large-scale commercial construction projects.
Key Takeaways
Timestamps
[00:00] - Episode Teaser
[02:05] - From Adobe and Facebook to Primepoint
[05:31] - Kamran Azarbal's Construction Background
[06:59] - Why Primepoint Built a Construction Knowledge Graph
[09:49] - Eliminating Information Overload on Construction Projects
[13:51] - How Connected Project Data Changes Everything
[18:39] - Practical Field Applications for AI-Powered Project Intelligence
[23:01] - Scaling Expertise Without Replacing People
[27:42] - Lubomir's Vision for the Future of Construction Intelligence
[33:16] - Building Trust While Moving Fast with AI
[37:04] - How to Connect
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In this episode, hosts Jeff Sample and Nathan Wood sit down with Cameron Page, Founder and CEO of Clearstory, to discuss one of construction's most misunderstood and critical processes: change orders. The conversation explores how change orders impact every stakeholder on a project, why transparency matters more than ever, and how AI is beginning to transform construction workflows. The episode also dives into technology adoption, process standardization, innovation teams, and the future of connected construction data.
Cameron Page is the Founder and CEO of Clearstory, a construction technology company focused on streamlining change order communication, visibility, and workflow management across owners, general contractors, and specialty contractors. Before launching Clearstory in 2018, Cameron spent nine years at Devcon Construction, one of Silicon Valley's largest builders, where he worked on projects ranging from tenant improvements to large-scale corporate campuses.
[00:00] - Episode Teaser
[00:43] - Meet Cameron Page & Clearstory
[02:15] - From Construction Management Student to Founder
[08:19] - The Change Order Problem
[11:33] - Creating Value for Contractors, GCs, and Owners
[16:53] - Design Evolution, Risk, and Cost Exposure
[19:24] - AI, Data Intelligence, and Predictive Insights
[23:47] - The Future of Change Order Management
[26:50] - AI Agents for Construction Workflows
[30:05] - Industry Standards, Adoption, and Innovation
[36:51] - Why Construction Tech Needs Construction Experts
[42:15] - Full-Circle Industry Connections
[44:41] - Final Thoughts & Where to Connect
In this episode, hosts Jeff Sample and Nathan Wood sit down with Bryan Guess to explore one of the most overlooked challenges in construction, technology, and business operations: mistaking symptoms for root causes. Drawing from his experience, Bryan explains why organizations often jump straight to solutions without first understanding the real problem they're trying to solve. The conversation explores systems thinking, organizational accountability, communication breakdowns, technology adoption, and why most operational problems are ultimately people and process problems.
Bryan Guess is the founder of Bartizan Strategic Group, a consulting firm focused on helping organizations diagnose operational challenges, improve business systems, and solve complex organizational problems. Prior to launching Partizan, Bryan spent over a decade working with commercial building owners and AEC stakeholders, where he discovered that many challenges attributed to construction, engineering, or technology are actually universal business problems involving people, processes, incentives, and communication.
Key Takeaways
Timestamps
[00:00] - Episode Teaser
[03:56] - Bryan's Journey from Building Consulting to Business Consulting
[05:21] - Universal Business Problems Across Industries
[07:11] - Systems Thinking, Shared Language, and Organizational Diagnostics
[10:34] - Authority, Accountability, and Why Projects Break Down
[15:07] - Technology Isn't a Magic Bullet
[19:15] - Diagnosing Before Prescribing Solutions
[30:53] - Lessons Learned, Repeatability, and Improving Project Systems
[37:15] - Communication Systems, Software Creep, and Operational Complexity
[46:11] - Final Advice: Stay Curious and Challenge Assumptions
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In this episode, hosts Jeff Sample and Nathan Wood look into the evolving role of AI in construction technology with Colin Whitlatch, CTO of Kahua. Colin discusses how Kahua's platform leverages AI to enhance construction project management, the importance of security and compliance (especially in the context of FedRAMP), and how the human element remains vital even as AI becomes more prevalent in the industry.
Colin Whitlatch is the Chief Technology Officer at Kahua, a leading software company in the construction tech space. With over 15 years of experience, Colin has played a pivotal role in shaping Kahua's AI-driven platform, which focuses on flexibility, data integrity, and helping construction businesses innovate while ensuring top-notch security.
Key Takeaways
Timestamps
[00:00] – Episode Teaser
[02:29] – Colin’s Background
[04:17] – Kahua’s Journey and Evolution
[09:13] – Connecting Business Logic to Project Contracts
[13:22] – AI’s Benefits and Challenges
[19:03] – Human in the Loop Concept
[20:25] – The Role of Security & FedRAMP
[25:45] – FedRAMP vs. CMK Compliance
[30:58] – Ethical Use of AI in Construction
[39:06] – AI and Human Oversight: A Necessary Balance
[47:31] – Final Thoughts
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In this episode of The ConTech Crew, we hear from Josh Levy, CEO of Document Crunch, as he shares the journey of his company's growth and transformation. From the early days of starting up with limited resources to the strategic partnership with Trimble, Josh offers insight into the challenges and successes that have shaped his entrepreneurial path. The conversation touches on the culture of Document Crunch, its focus on reducing disputes in the construction industry, and how the company’s vision aligns with Trimble's values to create a more efficient and collaborative industry.
Josh Levy is the CEO of Document Crunch, a technology company that helps construction teams manage contracts more effectively to reduce risk and avoid disputes. With a background as a corporate lawyer, Josh transitioned to tech and has built Document Crunch into a fast-growing company that is now scaling with Trimble’s support. He shares how the company’s culture, his personal journey, and a strong commitment to his vision have led to this exciting new chapter.
[00:00] - Episode Teaser
[02:51] - Josh’s Leap Into The Tech World And Starting Document Crunch
[06:41] - Importance Of Culture In Building A Successful Company
[09:25] - Document Crunch’s Focus On Creating A Great Work Environment
[14:06] - Early Lessons In Creating A Supportive Culture
[25:05] - “Zero Disputes” Vision And How It Transforms The Construction Industry
[29:40] - The Impact Of Contracts On Productivity
[38:01] - Introducing Trimble As A Partner
[43:40] - Final Thoughts
In this episode, hosts Jeff Sample and Nathan Wood talk with Alex Schickling about how DeWalt is transforming the construction industry by using robotics to address major workforce challenges. Alex explains how robotics is tackling the most physically demanding and repetitive tasks, allowing skilled workers to focus on higher-value activities. From drilling in data centers to revolutionizing construction manufacturing, this episode provides a fascinating look into the future of robotics in construction.
Alex Schickling is the Director of Robotics at Stanley Black & Decker (DeWalt Robotics), where he leads the commercialization of robotic and field technologies in construction and industrial environments. With a background in engineering and extensive experience in construction manufacturing, Alex is passionate about using technology to improve safety and efficiency on construction sites. He has worked on numerous projects involving seismic bracing, cable trays, and anchors, and is now focused on the integration of robotics into the construction industry to address major challenges like labor shortages and worker safety.
[00:00] - Episode Teaser
[01:23] - Alex Schickling Introduction & Background
[03:04] - Shifting from Over-Engineering to Simplicity in Design
[10:11] - Rise of Prefabrication and Robotics in Construction
[13:08] - Introducing DeWalt Robotics for Data Center Drilling
[15:18] - Partnership with August Robotics
[17:58] - Benefits of Robotics in Data Center Projects
[24:16] - The Importance of Accurate Drilling
[25:11] - Pit Stop Approach for Robot Maintenance
[29:22] - Future of Robotics in Construction
[37:25] - Contractor Testimony on Embracing Robotics
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