🔧 Software Watch

New tools for construction, glazing & fabrication — curated for PGC
June 24, 2026

Trunk Tools Cortex

AI / Preconstruction

What it does: AI intelligence layer that reads, interprets, and structures data from construction drawings. Connects drawings with project records (RFIs, specs, submittals) via purpose-built AI agents (TrunkRFI, TrunkSubmittals). Launched June 17, 2026.

Legacy alt: Manual drawing review + spreadsheets + email chains

Differentiator: Trained specifically on construction drawings (not general LLM). Acts as a "brain" across disconnected project systems rather than a point solution.

Pricing: Custom enterprise — contact for quote

Glazing: High

MVP: Request demo with a recent project's drawing set; test TrunkRFI on 3-5 actual drawing conflicts.

PLAN0 AI

Estimating / Takeoff

What it does: AI-powered cost estimation analyzing architectural plans with vision models to produce estimates in minutes. Aggregates historical and real-time project data for ML-driven pricing predictions up to 24 months out. YC P2026 batch, $20B+ projects on platform.

Legacy alt: Manual takeoff + spreadsheets + historical cost databases

Differentiator: Bloomberg-like analytics for construction pricing — market-informed predictions, not just takeoff numbers.

Pricing: Not publicly listed (enterprise)

Glazing: High

MVP: Upload a completed glazing project's plans; compare AI estimate vs. actual costs.

Resolve

CAD/BIM / AR-VR

What it does: Web-based BIM review platform combining real-time collaboration, immersive VR reviews, and AI-driven spatial navigation. Teams walk through models together in VR, mark up issues, navigate complex models without CAD expertise. YC-backed.

Legacy alt: Navisworks + in-person coordination meetings + screenshots

Differentiator: Web-native (no install) with VR immersion built in. Designed for non-CAD stakeholders to participate in model reviews.

Pricing: Not publicly listed (likely per-seat subscription)

Glazing: Medium

MVP: Import a curtain wall BIM model; run a 30-minute VR coordination session with the project team.

Rudus

Estimating / Takeoff (Concrete)

What it does: AI estimation platform purpose-built for concrete contractors. Automatically identifies footings, walls, columns, and slabs on plans. Claims 70% faster estimation and ability to pursue 3x more projects. YC P2026 batch.

Legacy alt: Manual concrete takeoff + spreadsheets

Differentiator: Hyper-vertical — built for concrete only. Deep understanding of concrete-specific details (rebar, pour breaks, cure times).

Pricing: Not publicly listed

Glazing: Low

MVP: N/A for pure glazing — skip unless you also self-perform concrete work.

Foreman

Project Management / Estimating

What it does: Full project lifecycle platform for contractors — from first estimate to final invoice. Upload plans, photos, or a project description; system generates structured takeoffs, scoped estimates, and professional proposals. YC W2026 batch.

Legacy alt: Procore + spreadsheets + Word docs + email

Differentiator: Replaces the patchwork of tools small contractors use. AI generates estimates and proposals from a single input.

Pricing: Not publicly listed (likely $100-300/mo)

Glazing: Medium

MVP: Upload a recent glazing project's plans; see if AI-generated takeoff and proposal are usable.

Helonic

CAD/BIM / Drawing Review

What it does: AI-powered drawing review that analyzes PDF plans, detects clashes and inconsistencies across disciplines, and generates draft RFIs. Integrates with Procore and Autodesk. YC F2025 batch.

Legacy alt: Manual clash detection + Navisworks + BIM 360

Differentiator: Catches design clashes before construction starts — cost avoidance vs. productivity. Generates draft RFIs automatically.

Pricing: Not publicly listed

Glazing: High

MVP: Upload curtain wall shop drawings alongside architectural/structural PDFs; see what clashes Helonic finds.

Structured AI

CAD/BIM / Quality Control

What it does: AI agents that perform quality control on technical construction documents. Applies building codes and project-specific standards to mechanical, electrical, and structural drawings. YC F2025 batch.

Legacy alt: Manual QA/QC by senior engineers + checklists

Differentiator: Applies actual building codes to drawings, not just geometric clash detection. Frees senior engineers from repetitive review.

Pricing: Not publicly listed

Glazing: Medium

MVP: Submit a set of glazing shop drawings; see if AI catches code compliance issues (safety glass, thermal breaks).

Snaptrude

CAD/BIM

What it does: Cloud-native BIM modeling with a genuine free tier. Full BIM modeling, AI agent stack, and IFC export. Designed for architects and designers who find Revit too expensive or complex.

Legacy alt: Revit / ArchiCAD

Differentiator: Free plan is genuinely free (not time-limited). Cloud-first with real-time collaboration. AI-assisted design tools built in.

Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start below Revit's $350/mo

Glazing: Medium

MVP: Use the free plan to model a simple storefront system; export to IFC. Test collaboration with a remote team member.

Zoo Design Studio

CAD / CAM

What it does: AI-native CAD platform built on a custom geometry engine. Features Zookeeper, a conversational CAD agent that generates and modifies 3D models from natural language. Open-source and self-hostable.

Legacy alt: SolidWorks / Fusion 360 / AutoCAD

Differentiator: Open-source, AI-native CAD with a conversational agent. Free to download and use. Built on a modern geometry engine (KittyCAD).

Pricing: Free (open-source, self-hostable)

Glazing: Medium

MVP: Download the free desktop app; model a simple glazing bracket or extrusion profile using the conversational CAD agent.

Togal.AI

Estimating / Takeoff

What it does: AI-powered construction takeoff using computer vision to read 2D drawings and auto-generate quantity counts. Covers architectural, structural, and some MEP elements. Mature product with established market presence.

Legacy alt: On-Screen Takeoff / Bluebeam + manual counting

Differentiator: Computer vision trained specifically on construction drawings. Claims 80%+ reduction in takeoff time.

Pricing: $299/user/month (Growth plan, billed annually)

Glazing: High

MVP: Sign up for single-user Growth plan for one month. Run 3-5 glazing takeoffs and compare time vs. manual methods.

Quotr.ai

Estimating / Takeoff

What it does: AI estimating platform that goes from plans to priced proposal — not just takeoff. Generates complete, line-item estimates with pricing based on your cost database. End-to-end proposal generation.

Legacy alt: Bluebeam + Excel + manual pricing

Differentiator: End-to-end — plans in, priced proposal out. Not just quantity takeoff but full estimate with labor, material, and markup.

Pricing: Not publicly listed (likely $150-300/mo)

Glazing: High

MVP: Request a demo; run a complete glazing project from plans to proposal. Compare output vs. current estimating process.

OpenSpace

Field Measurement / Reality Capture

What it does: AI-powered reality capture using 360° cameras (or smartphone) to automatically create a visual record of construction sites. Compares as-built conditions against BIM models to detect discrepancies. Recently enhanced BIM comparison features.

Legacy alt: Manual progress photos + laser scanning + spreadsheets

Differentiator: Automated — walk the site with a hardhat-mounted 360° camera and the system does the rest. AI aligns photos to BIM models and flags discrepancies.

Pricing: Custom (typically $500-2,000/month per project)

Glazing: High

MVP: Use a smartphone to capture one floor of a project. Compare as-built openings against BIM model dimensions.