This episode of KP Unpacked pulls no punches. KP and Jeff dive into why real innovation in AEC doesn’t come from AI, tech stacks, or strategy decks, it comes from frustration. From timesheet tyranny to capital allocation myths, this is a wake-up call for founders, executives, and anyone stuck in the loop of “this is how we’ve always done it.”

They unpack why most firms are afraid to change their business model, how brand is often confused with logos and websites, and why go-to-market matters more than invention. Plus, KP shares what really happened in the latest Catalyst AMA and what inspired the launch of the Vibe-a-Thon — a no-code innovation sprint built for operators, not just engineers.

🔗 Resources & Mentions:

• KP’s Post that inspired the episode: “Creating an intangible enterprise is not easy, but well-documented…”
• 📘 Creating an Intangible Enterprise by KP Reddy
• Catalyst Community — apply to join: https://kpreddy.co
• Vibe-a-Thon at the Innovation Center (July 28) — no code needed, real AEC problems, $5K prize
• Hot Topic Live — every Thursday inside Catalyst
• 🎧 Build Your Brand podcast (by Jeff)

Sounds like you? Join the waitlist at https://kpreddy.co/

Check out one of our Catalyst conversation starters, AEC Needs More High-Agency Thinkers

Hope to see you there!

In this special edition of KP Unpacked, Jeff and KP dive into the heart of KP’s viral Sunday Scaries post: Brackish Waters – The Startup Survival Zone.

KP breaks down why traditional lines between VC and PE are blurring — and what it means for how startups should build, fund, and scale in today’s climate. From hybrid capital models to real-world disruption via AI and robotics, this episode is a must-listen for founders, investors, and corporate leaders alike.

You’ll hear:

• What “brackish waters” really mean for capital strategy
• Why VC volatility and PE predictability are no longer your only options
• How firms like General Catalyst and Thrive Capital are changing the game
• Case studies like Lumina’s new playbook for AI-powered M&A
• Why this might be the most important episode we’ve ever recorded

💡 Bonus: KP reveals how some of the biggest wins in the next decade will come from founders who know how to steer in murky waters.

👇 Resources Mentioned:

• KP’s Sunday Scaries Post
• Catalyst Community - Join the Conversation
• Book by KP Reddy - Creating the Intangible Enterprise

Sounds like you? Join the waitlist at https://kpreddy.co/

Check out one of our Catalyst conversation starters, AEC Needs More High-Agency Thinkers

Hope to see you there!

KP Unpacked is the #1 podcast in AEC—and for good reason. In this episode, KP Reddy and Jeff Echols start with baseball and end up somewhere way more urgent: the death of innovation-as-edge. From Moneyball to AI, from power drills to predictive hiring, they unpack what happens after everyone catches up—and what firms should do next to keep their advantage.

KP drops insights on fast feedback loops, tech resistance in AEC, and why real innovation today comes from judgment, not just data. They also explore how AI is rewriting the rules in venture, recruiting, sports betting, and founder evaluation. If your firm is still calling BIM “innovation,” this one’s for you.

🔗 Resources & Mentions in This Episode

• 📘 Book: Creating the Intangible Enterprise by KP Reddy — Available on Amazon and Audible
• 📽️ Movie Reference: Moneyball (2011) – starring Brad Pitt, based on the book by Michael Lewis
• 🧠 KP’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kpreddy – follow to predict next week’s podcast topic
• 🎤 AEC Summit Archives: YouTube Channel – features past Summit presentations, including from unicorns like Anduril, OneTrust, and Greenlight
• 🧰 Tools Mentioned:
  • ChatGPT / AI (for resume filtering, betting models, etc.)
  • PipeDrive CRM
  • CrowdStrike, Microsoft Cloud
  • Sam.AI (voice-based CRM mentioned indirectly)

Sounds like you? Join the waitlist at https://kpreddy.co/

Check out one of our Catalyst conversation starters, AEC Needs More High-Agency Thinkers

Hope to see you there!