Darren Bechtel is a fifth-generation member of the Bechtel construction family who grew up on job sites worldwide and worked hands-on roles from mason to pile-driving crew leader, giving him deep industry credibility as he invests independently through Brick & Mortar Ventures rather than through Bechtel Corp itself. Before founding what became the first VC firm focused solely on construction technology, he personally angel-invested in nearly 40 companies and was the largest seed investor in several early construction software successes including PlanGrid and BuildingConnected, both later acquired by Autodesk.