In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, host Henry Harrison sits down with Eric Helitzer, founder and CEO of SubBase, to explore the deep-rooted inefficiencies in construction procurement, and how SubBase is strategically rethinking them from the ground up. Eric shares how growing up in a multi-generational construction family shaped his perspective and ultimately led him to build software for the very industry he was raised in.
This interview highlights the real-world challenges of construction tech adoption and why SubBase’s “boots-on-the-ground” origin story makes it uniquely positioned to tackle them. Eric walks through the early days of developing the platform, the value of starting in the field, and how streamlining workflows can drive massive returns across teams.
Chapters[Start] A Builder from Birth: Eric shares how his upbringing in a construction family and his education at the University of Florida led him to develop a passion for the built world.
05:05 Procore, Pushback, and a Lightbulb Moment: Eric recounts how early exposure to Procore gave him a glimpse into what was possible and sparked the idea for SubBase.
10:06 Why Construction Tech is Tough to Sell: From custom builds to entrenched workflows, Eric explains the barriers that make construction a complex space to innovate in.
13:41 Layman’s Terms, Real Results: A simple but powerful explanation of what SubBase actually doesnand how it delivers measurable ROI to field crews, vendors, and accounting teams.
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