@Katharsas Finally got it. After some more playing (and watching your very helpful video) I found out my main problem was running low on power generation so I couldn't upgrade my ACU's gun and get to Tech 2 at the same time. Spamming T1 power generators helped me get over that. Thank you for the video and the tips.

Also found out that the waves are slightly randomized (based on the AI's building, I guess) and I was just getting super unlucky for my first couple of tries.

How are you supposed to survive the first ten minutes? If you build any T1 turrets to defend yourself, the AI sends waves of T1 artillery within a minute to wipe the floor with you. If you try to get to T2 to build shields and point defense, they immediately send waves of T2 Assault Bots with 2 missile launchers, before you can even build the shields and turrets. I don't see how you can survive. The AI, before it's even seen your buildings, automatically builds the perfect counter. Do you just trial and error it until you figure out the perfect order to build things in? Do you just spam T1 tanks until you have enough between you and the enemy to get enough time to build a meaningful defense?