Brick & Mortar Ventures
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Brick & Mortar is the OG construction tech fund that actually knows the space inside and out. They've had 12 exits including PlanGrid, Levelset, FieldWire and BuildingConnected — believed to be among the largest M&A exits of venture-backed construction software startups in history. Their LPs are exclusively construction corporate strategics like Autodesk, Hilti, United Rentals, and CEMEX, which means they can actually open doors for portfolio companies. They're disciplined investors who focus on needs-based opportunities rather than jumping on AI hype for the sake of tech. The team has real construction experience — not just Stanford MBAs who read a whitepaper. They offer 'essentially free help' to founders before investing and look for fair economics rather than trying to squeeze every point of equity.
- —Best for: Construction tech founders who need real industry expertise and corporate partnership access
- —Watch out for: They're disciplined - won't chase shiny objects or overpay for hype
- —Known for: The deepest construction industry network and track record of massive exits
Brick & Mortar Ventures invests in emerging companies developing innovative software and hardware solutions for the architecture, engineering, construction, and facilities management industries. They look at investment opportunities across a wide continuum from simple digitalization of paper-based processes to the frontiers of science fiction. Their conviction is rooted in the belief that there's 'gold in them hills' in the built world tech space.
Brick & Mortar focuses on Series A (26 investments, average $7.07M) and Seed rounds (13 investments, average $3.94M), with 93 total investments made in the construction process from design through pre-construction, construction, handover, commissioning, and operations & maintenance. They invest in software and hardware solutions specifically for architecture, engineering, construction, and facilities management.
Founder and scion of the 125-year old Bechtel engineering firm, Darren founded Brick & Mortar Ventures in 2015 after successful early investments in PlanGrid and BuildingConnected. He brings 10+ years of venture investing and 7 years as an engineer, operator, and turnaround CEO in AEC and medical device industries. Founders 'really like' working with him because he gets the construction space.
Licensed Professional Engineer who spent 4+ years at McKinsey advising engineering & construction firms, investors, and construction technology providers. Co-authored influential McKinsey research on construction technology in the mid-2010s and serves on boards of SafeAI, Wingtra, Advanced Navigation, and Zerokey. Former forensic structural engineer who enjoys rock climbing.
Led Startup and Intrapreneurship Programs at VINCI, forging relationships between the construction giant and startups, after serving as Director of Product and Innovation at BONE Structure. Previously dedicated time to fusion science at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory designing experiments on linear particle accelerators. Based in France, focuses on EMEA investments in revolutionary architecture and engineering startups.
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