In the fifth episode of our DIS/AGREED vodcast Patric Hellermann and Shubhankar Bhattacharya are discussing the future of construction marketplaces. comparing the various dynamics we have seen in both mature and emerging markets.  At Foundamental, we are humbled to have backed industry leaders in Construction Marketplaces from Asia Pacific all the way to Latin America. Each market requires different business models and go-to-market strategies and this episode we will discuss such variances on a global scale.

They will be discussing questions like:

1. Tul raised a $181M round what is the company up to and what makes this company special?
2. What are the differences between the Infra.Market and the Tul model?
3. What gets us excited about the future of construction market places?
4. How can marketplaces solve for the supply side issue in more established markets?
5. Will we see global marketplaces or will they remain regional?
6. What are exciting companies to watch?

In the fourth episode of our DIS/AGREED vodcast Patric Hellermann and Shubhankar Bhattacharya are debating on why Construction SMBs are sleeping Superpowers?

They will be discussing questions like:

1. What is your thesis on SMB enablement for construction in general?
2. SMB enablement for accounting, spend management and HR: Will horizontals win, or will specialists win?
3. What is the role of construction distributors in SMB enablement?

In the third episode of our DIS/AGREED vodcast Patric Hellermann and Shubhankar Bhattacharya are debating the winners in construction. Who will win the game in construction? Global or regional players?

They will be discussing questions like:

1. Foundamental is the largest global investor in construction technology. Our global set-up allows us to invest across both emerging and developed markets. What are the differences between the markets?
2. Who will you back? A proven leader (in existing Market A) who is trying to enter Market B or an exciting younger prospect focused on Market B?
3. Should construction market leaders prioritize geographic expansion or domination within a specific geography?
4. Given the choice to invest in construction, will you go in by replicating a model or a playbook that has already been executed successfully somewhere else, or go with something that actually has no precedent, no examples that have worked before?
5. You saw a certain model spectacularly fail in a market and now you’re seeing that same model being applied in construction tech. In that scenario, what goes on in your mind?

In the second episode of our DIS/AGREED vodcast, Patric Hellermann and Shubhankar Bhattacharya are debating one of the hottest topics for every VC investor and founder: Should I go asset-heavy, or should I go asset-light?

In the debate they cover:

Q1: The VC industry has glorified “asset-light” businesses and the use of software, almost where VCs demonize any physical stuff. Let’s talk about this VC logic in the context of construction. Which models do you think have a better chance of winning in construction – asset-light or asset-heavy?

Q2: What parts of construction are worth going asset-heavy on? And what is the right timing: right away, later, or never?

Q3: Last week there was this big announcement around Infra.Market. The company became the newest construction tech unicorn and the fastest Asian startup to go from Series A to Unicorn. Is Infra.Market the prime example for an asset-light approach in ConTech? And do you expect more of these businesses or do you think this is one of a kind?

In the first episode of our DIS/AGREED vodcast, we’ve put together our two biggest hitters, Patric Hellermann and Shubhankar Bhattacharya, head-to-head to tackle the most important questions around warehousing in construction. Admittedly, the first episode is still harmless as the two gentlemen don’t dare to discuss their controversy opinions in public yet, but get ready for rumble once they’re warming up. 

And finally there’s a good thing about the fact that most of the time they’re agreeing: Both think that there’s a real opportunity in warehousing in construction and both are excited to meet early-stage founders that (1) empower the last mile delivery, (2) allow more continuity for cross-border transactions and (3) reimagine the warehousing experience especially in renovation.

Are you one of them? You know what you got to do. Reach out to us ❤️

Check out what our guys have to say about

Q1: So much venture capital has already gone into logistics and road-freight. Can warehousing be as large as the market opportunity in road-freight?

Q2: Does the construction industry need its own vertical-focused warehousing solution, or can it use a multi-industry warehousing solution?

Q3: Will proven leaders in road-freight and shipping also end up winning the warehousing market, or will the space see the emergence of warehousing-focused winners?

Q4: The warehousing robotics space has already seen its share of innovation through Kiva, GreyOrange and Geek+. Will warehousing for construction also be driven by new ventures that deliver automation? If not, what will unlock value?