AEC Shadow Summit: Advancing the Science of Building Technology

Last week, Carabiner CEO Peter Baron and I were given a glimpse into the future of building technology
at the 2023 AEC Shadow Summit in Atlanta—hosted by Shadow Partners and its founder KP Reddy.
During the two-day event, we participated in more than 15 informative sessions and met with dozens of
thought leaders in the space.

Unlike Peter, this was my first Shadow Summit. I came away excited about not just the future of the AEC
industry but about the way our world is being built. Here’s just some of what I learned:

Technology is critical to growth

While that may seem like an obvious statement, the future of the industry is heavily dependent on innovative new ideas. On day one, Dr. Sam Chandan (Founding Director, Chen Institute for Global Real Estate Finance and Professor of Finance, NYU) emphasized the shortage of skilled labor in the industry—a reality explored in more detail on day two with a panel discussion hosted by Brad Crawford (CEO, RIVAL Holdings) that included Roger Krulak (President and Founder, FullStack Modular) and Brent Wadas (CEO, BotBuilt). The panel offered a unique insight into how technology can fill that gap and help the industry remain profitable and competitive.

AEC innovation takes many forms

Again, the summit defined a clear need for more advanced tools, from software to robotics and AI. Michael Harper (Director of Business Development, ICON) showcased massive 3D printers in operation that are building modern homes in a fraction of the time of traditional methods (currently here on Earth and eventually on the Moon and Mars). In another session, Matt Ohlman (CTO, Shadow Ventures) moderated a panel discussion with N.K. Naredla (Cofounder and CEO, ConstructN) and Ali Khaloo (Founder and CEO, Aren) focused on AI-driven software solutions to maximize efficiencies and minimize waste. Schneider Electric joined the conversation with two sessions, one on EV mobility trends and challenges related to building the U.S. charging infrastructure, and the other on the methodology for reaching Net Zero decarbonization construction goals.

Investment is essential

We heard from multiple emerging companies as they brought their new ideas to the investment table—and from the investors themselves, who offered practical advice and encouragement. The highlight was the “Shadow Partners Incubator Demo Day” event where five startups took the stage to pitch their ideas.

It wasn’t just about AEC

Between the excitement and education, we managed to have some lighthearted and just plain fun moments as well. Late into day two, Bryan Fuller (Master Builder, designer, TV personality, and author) joined us to talk about his latest project: fully converting a 1969 Ford Cougar into an electric vehicle with many of the same features found in a modern Tesla. With 16 connected EV lithium-ion batteries, he estimated it would produce 400 horsepower when completed. Of course, much of the value we experienced came before, after, and in between the actual sessions,
when we could meet and network with other attendees and presenters. We met some of the most fascinating and fun people—and walked away excited to see what comes next. Thanks again to Shadow Partners and KP Reddy for developing such a powerful and relevant event! You can find a full agenda on the Shadow Summit website here.