🔧 Software Watch

What it does: AI platform that scans complex CAD drawings and extracts quantities using vision models. Built to replace manual symbol-counting on electrical drawings — hours of work done at 99% accuracy in minutes. YC Summer 2026 batch.

Legacy alt: Manual CAD symbol counting + human error + spreadsheets

Differentiator: Vision-model approach to reading CAD symbols is directly applicable to any trade. If it can count electrical symbols at 99% accuracy, it can count glazing panel marks, hardware sets, and opening designations the same way.

Pricing: Not publicly listed — beta access available

Glazing: High

MVP: Upload a set of glazing shop drawings (PDF or DWG) and see if Bidflow correctly identifies panel designations, opening numbers, and hardware tags.

What it does: Purpose-built AI platform for glazing and facade estimation. Extracts vision vs. spandrel areas, breaks down by cladding type, splits by elevation and floor zone from elevation PDFs. Draft outputs reference exact source sheets for fast QA. Human review built into the workflow.

Legacy alt: Manual elevation tracing + highlighters + spreadsheets + Bluebeam

Differentiator: The only AI tool this cycle explicitly designed for glazing and facade work — not generic construction takeoff repurposed. Elevation-by-elevation and floor-zone breakdowns match how glazing contractors actually price bids.

Pricing: Pay-per-takeoff (per-sheet pricing on官网); free trial available

Glazing: High

MVP: Upload 3-5 elevation PDFs from a recent project. Run the glazing-by-elevation prompt and compare draft output time vs. manual tracing.

What it does: AI assistant that generates structured field inspection reports from voice notes and photos in real time. Inspectors walk a site, speak observations aloud, snap photos, and receive a detailed organized report on-site — no more end-of-day typing. YC-backed.

Legacy alt: Manual field notes + end-of-day typing + photo filing + Word docs

Differentiator: Real-time — report is generated while the inspector is still on site. Directly addresses the 20%-of-week documentation burden that field teams accept as normal.

Pricing: Not publicly listed — demo available

Glazing: High

MVP: Have a site inspector use Opusense for one week on a glazing project. Compare documentation time vs. previous manual method.

What it does: AI platform that analyzes PDF plans, detects clashes and inconsistencies across disciplines (architectural, structural, MEP), and generates draft RFIs automatically. Integrates with Procore and Autodesk. YC F2025 batch.

Legacy alt: Manual clash detection + Navisworks coordination meetings + handwritten RFIs

Differentiator: Catches design clashes before construction starts — cost avoidance, not just productivity. Auto-generated draft RFIs save hours of manual documentation per project.

Pricing: Not publicly listed — contact for demo

Glazing: High

MVP: Upload a set of curtain wall shop drawings alongside architectural and structural PDFs. Review what clashes Helonic finds vs. what you caught manually during coordination.

What it does: Free, open-source ERP platform for construction companies. Covers estimating, project management, inventory, field tracking, accounting, and HR. Self-hosted (your own server or cloud). v3.5 adds improved AI features, better API integrations, and mobile UI refinements.

Legacy alt: QuickBooks + spreadsheets + pen-and-paper inventory + disconnected PM tools

Differentiator: Genuinely free and self-hosted — no per-seat licensing, no vendor lock-in, no subscription. Full-stack from estimating to accounting with active open-source community.

Pricing: Free (self-hosted); optional paid community support

Glazing: High

MVP: Spin up the free self-hosted instance. Import one active project's data (estimations, PO receipts, time entries). Evaluate against your current QuickBooks + spreadsheet workflow.

What it does: AI platform that automates construction back-office procurement — tender document analysis, contract review, and supplier communication. Built by two engineers and Harvard dropouts. YC Summer 2026 batch.

Legacy alt: Manual procurement + email chains + spreadsheets + Word docs

Differentiator: Purpose-built for the procurement bottleneck that kills contractor profitability. Reads plans, specs, and tender documents so estimators don't have to — directly reduces manual admin work.

Pricing: Not publicly listed — contact for quote

Glazing: High

MVP: Upload a recent project's tender documents and see if FlowManual correctly identifies glazing specifications, hardware requirements, and lead items.

What it does: AI-powered construction estimating platform that reads both 2D drawings and 3D models to extract quantities across architectural, structural, civil, and MEP. Works with PDFs, DWGs, and Revit models.

Legacy alt: Bluebeam + manual counting + per-trade siloed estimating

Differentiator: Cross-trade — handles all disciplines in one platform. 3D model support (Revit) means it can read a BIM model directly rather than relying solely on 2D sheets.

Pricing: Not publicly listed — demo + trial available

Glazing: Medium

MVP: Upload a glazing shop drawing set (PDF + optional Revit model) and compare extracted quantities against your manual count.

What it does: Full-lifecycle contractor platform — from first estimate to final invoice. Upload plans, photos, or a text project description and Foreman generates structured takeoffs, scoped estimates, and professional proposals automatically. YC Summer 2026 batch.

Legacy alt: Procore + spreadsheets + Word docs + email — stitched together manually

Differentiator: Replaces the patchwork of tools small contractors use with one AI-powered platform. Generates usable outputs (proposals, scopes, estimates) from a single input — not just data.

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

Glazing: Medium

MVP: Upload a recent glazing project's plans and see if the AI-generated takeoff and proposal are immediately usable vs. requiring significant rework.

What it does: AI automation specifically for Division 8 estimating — doors, frames, and hardware. Reads blueprints and specs, generates opening schedules automatically, prices the bid, and exports directly to Division 8 ERPs (Comsense, Avaware, ProTech). YC W2025 batch, backed by Khosla Ventures.

Legacy alt: Manual opening schedule creation + cross-referencing hardware sets by hand + Excel pricing

Differentiator: Deep Division 8 specialization — not a general construction takeoff tool. Exports directly to the ERPs glazing shops already run on.

Pricing: Not publicly listed — demo + pilot available

Glazing: Medium

MVP: Submit a set of Division 8 specs and drawings from a recent project. See if Bild AI generates a correct opening schedule that exports cleanly to your existing ERP.

What it does: AI scheduling assistant specifically for construction crews. Automatically builds and updates project schedules based on real-time site conditions, crew availability, and task dependencies. Integrates with existing PM tools. YC F2024 batch.

Legacy alt: Manual scheduling in MS Project + whiteboards + daily phone calls

Differentiator: Construction-specific — not a generic PM tool with a construction skin. Built around the reality of crew-based scheduling where conditions change daily.

Pricing: Not publicly listed — contact for quote

Glazing: Medium

MVP: Connect Karmen to one active glazing project. Compare crew utilization and on-time delivery rates vs. the previous scheduling method.