Welcome to the 89th edition of Deep Tech Catalyst, the channel from The Scenarionist where science meets venture!
This episode goes deep into one of the most underexplored—but critically important—realities of scaling scientific innovation: how to break into the construction industry with a product that actually gets used on-site.
To help us decode this, we’re joined by Burak Gursel, Acquisition & Integration Manager at Simpson Strong-Tie!
Together, we explore what it takes to turn a functional prototype—whether a novel material, sensor, or engineered product—into something that can win the trust of engineers, pass code approvals, and survive the brutal practicality of a construction site.
In this edition, we unpack:
Why engineers—not innovation teams—are the real gatekeepers of adoption
How to structure early field pilots without giving your product away
What founders must get right before talking to procurement
Why manufacturing should be outsourced early—and how to talk about it credibly
How strategic investors think differently than VCs—and what they look for beyond the pitch
Whether you’re a scientist-founder bringing a new construction tech to market, an investor evaluating physical product startups, or a deep tech builder navigating complex adoption cycles—this episode is a field guide to entering the built world.
Let’s get into it. 🏗️
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