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Research

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Research Reports

2026 Annual AI Benchmarking Report

October 6, 2026

KEY INSIGHTS:

AI is now core strategy for most AEC firms. The share of firms calling it central rose from 27% to 42%, and 92% now fund dedicated AI initiatives.
Implementation is maturing around collaboration. Ratings of AI efforts improved, and use is consolidating around everyday coordination like project management and collaboration.
Barriers have […]

2026 Annual Building Tech Benchmarking Report

August 31, 2026

KEY INSIGHTS:

Generative AI has moved firmly into routine use across surveyed organizations, with 88% reporting at least moderate impact, though adoption skews toward execution and verification stages like construction/operations and QA rather than early-stage ideation.
Early Concept & Feasibility technologies remain largely in the testing phase, with Test Fit Technology showing […]

Q2 2026 Venture Report: State of Built World Venture Markets

August 14, 2026

Table of Contents

Introduction

Overarching Built Environment Venture Trends
Macro Landscape

U.S. Construction Spending
European Construction Volume
Interest Rates

Investment Trends by Stage
Geographic Segmentation

Investment Trends by Country
Investment Trends by City

Investment Trends Segmented by BuiltWorlds’ Technology Subcategory

Tech Classification System 
Construction Tech
Building Tech
Infrastructure Tech

Built Environment Tech Mergers and Acquisitions
Conclusion

Introduction
Q2 2026 marked a normalization in built-environment technology venture activity following Q1’s […]

2026 Annual Equipment & Robotics Benchmarking Report

July 8, 2026

KEY INSIGHTS:

Jobsite robotics adoption rose sharply in 2026, with some level of use up nearly 45% year-over-year and the pilot-only group nearly tripling, signaling growing awareness and willingness to test the technology.
Fleet management adoption has grown more consistent, with regular use (excluding pilots) indicated by about two-thirds of organizations and […]

2026 Annual Field Solutions Benchmarking Report

June 4, 2026

KEY INSIGHTS:

Demand for real-time visibility is a common thread across every category. Progress tracking, site visualization, and equipment and workforce visibility consistently ranked among the top use cases and motivations across every solution category, suggesting that while jobsites are more instrumented than ever, converting that data into timely, actionable insights […]

Q1 2026 Venture Report: State of Built World Venture Markets

May 11, 2026

Table of Contents

Introduction

Overarching Built Environment Venture Trends
Macro Landscape

U.S. Construction Spending
European Construction Volume
Interest Rates

Investment Trends by Stage
Geographic Segmentation

Investment Trends by Country
Investment Trends by City

Investment Trends Segmented by BuiltWorlds’ Technology Subcategory

Tech Classification System 
Construction Tech
Building Tech
Infrastructure Tech

Built Environment Tech Mergers and Acquisitions
Built Environment Tech Public Markets
Conclusion

Introduction
Q1 2026 was a breakout quarter for built […]

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Top Lists

2026 AI Top 50

September 28, 2026

The BuiltWorlds AI Top 50 List recognizes companies making a significant impact on how artificial intelligence is applied across the AEC industry. The list is derived from insights gathered through […]

2026 Building Tech Top 50

August 31, 2026

Welcome to the 2026 Building Tech Top 50! The Building Tech Top 50 List was derived from a combination of survey data from the 2026 Building Tech Benchmarking Survey, direct […]

2026 Tools & Equipment Top 50

July 30, 2026

Welcome to the 2026 Tools & Equipment Top 50! The Tools & Equipment Top 50 List was derived from a combination of survey data from the 2026 Field Solutions Survey […]

2026 Robotics Top 50

July 8, 2026

Welcome to the 2026 Robotics Top 50 List! The Robotics Top 50 List was derived from a combination of the 2026 Equipment & Robotics Survey data, direct industry research, member […]

2026 Field Solutions Top 50

June 5, 2026

Welcome to the 2026 Field Solutions Top 50 List! The Field Solutions Top 50 List was primarily derived from insights gathered in our 2026 Field Solutions Benchmarking Survey, with additional […]

6th Annual Global Innovators 50

May 14, 2026

The 2023 BuiltWorlds Maverick Awards winners highlights 50 individuals who have acted as trendsetters and innovators in the built world, from architects and engineers to contractors, technologists, influencers, entrepreneurs, and urban designers.

News & Analysis

Articles & Feature Stories that cover the latest news & trending topics

Inertia Systems’ blade ai Takes Demo Day by a Single Point: Takeaways from Buildings 2026

blade ai by Inertia Systems won the Demo Day pitch competition at the Buildings Conference: Data Centers & AI Infrastructure in Nashville. It was the closest finish of the year, with just one point separating first and second place.
David Wilkinson, Sales Director at Inertia Systems, pitched alongside CTO Mark Klusza. […]

From Starchitects to Superintendents: What Nine Years of Mavericks Say About Where the Built World Is Headed

Nominations for the 2027 BuiltWorlds Mavericks are now open.
When BuiltWorlds named its first Mavericks in 2018, the list read like a who’s who of the built world’s most famous names. Frank Gehry and Jeanne Gang represented architecture. Tracy Young of PlanGrid represented a then-new wave of construction software. Alongside them […]

The 2026 Investor Awards in Review, and What’s Next in 2027

In March, BuiltWorlds presented its 2026 Investor Awards at Venture West in San Francisco, honoring the firms and programs doing the most to fund and scale innovation in the built environment. Applications are now open for the 2027 Investor Awards, which will be presented next March at the newly rebranded […]

The Data Center Boom has a Verification Problem

Data center construction spending in the US rose 57% in the 12 months leading up to July 2026, while total construction employment rose just 1%.
AGC of America’s analysis of Census Bureau data puts this boom into context: even as data center construction surged, other private office construction fell 10.6% over […]

Step Into the Future in the AI & Digital Construction Zone at Chicago Build Expo

Visitors to Chicago Build can explore the technologies reshaping the built environment at the AI & Digital Construction Zone, a dedicated feature for construction technology, digital transformation and practical AI adoption.
Taking place on October 28-29, 2026 at McCormick Place, Chicago Build will bring together 30,000+ construction and design professionals for […]

Chicago Build 2026 Agenda Highlights Tech, Data Centers, and Midwest Growth

Chicago Build 2026 returns to McCormick Place on October 28 and 29, bringing together 30,000+ AEC and built environment professionals for two days of insights, networking, product discovery and business opportunities.
Following the launch of registration earlier this year, attention is now turning to the 2026 agenda, with sessions exploring the […]

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Analyst Calls & Videos

Explore videos covering expansive topics in the built world

Piaggio Fast Forward Gita to Improve Jobsite Safety and Efficiency

For this All Hands on Tech, we took a look at Gita from Piaggio Fast Forward. We got the in-depth info from their COO, Sasha Hoffman on the unmanned cargo carrier with 3D mapping capabilities that could revolutionize how we improve efficiency and safety on our jobsites.
Click here to learn […]

Subcontractor management software eSUB raises $5 million in series A funding

This episode of Venture sees us catch up with construction software eSUB’s Chef Strategy Officer, Benny Baltrosky. We took the opportunity to talk about their recent Series A raise of $5 million led by Revolution Ventures. Another topic of conversation that day was the tech partners that eSUB aligns with.
Click […]

Renowned AEC entrepreneur KP Reddy takes on his next venture, The Combine

This episode of Venture sees us catch up with renowned entrepreneur KP Reddy as he takes on his new chapter. Based in Atlanta, this tech incubator uses their wide breadth of expertise to nurture good ideas into great
companies. Watch, as our special host, Matt Gray catches up with Mr. Reddy to see how The Combine is making waves in the AEC tech world.

From sheet metal to HVAC: How machines cut, shape, and fabricate duct work

This Yard + Shop takes us into the world of custom metal duct work. Come with us on a journey over to Cleats’ shop where they showcase their expertise in prefabrication of HVAC sheet metal. From concept to the job site, it all takes place here.

Never lose tools or equipment again with Milwaukee Tool’s new tech

On this episode on All Hands on Tech, Milwaukee Tool came to town to talk about the capabilities of Bluetooth technology when tracking and handling tools. They showed off their brand new “Tick” device and displayed how it integrates with their “One-Key” mobile application. Strap on your tool belts and dive in for this showcase on this revolutionary job site technology.

How architect Francine Houben combines environment, function, and usability in building design

This episode of BW Sessions is presented in collaboration with The Chicago Architecture Foundation and explores the architectural practice of Mecanoo through the perspective of the firm’s founder, Francine Houben. Although widely known in The Netherlands and Europe for buildings focused on people, place, and purpose, Mecanoo is only just beginning to gain increasing recognition in the United States for their work on projects such as the
Bruce C. Bolling Municipal Building in Boston and the renovation of the
Mies van der Rohe-designed Martin Luther King, Jr. Library in Washington,
D.C. “Architecture must appeal to all the senses,” Houben says