We’re proud to share that Trunk Tools has been selected as one of BuiltWorlds’ 40 AI-Powered Solutions to Watch in 2026, an annual list curated by the BuiltWorlds research team highlighting the technologies generating the most excitement across the AEC industry.

This recognition underscores the growing impact of AI-driven solutions in construction—and the role Trunk Tools plays in helping builders work smarter, faster, and more efficiently.

About BuiltWorlds’ “40 AI-Driven AEC Solutions to Watch in 2026”

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the AEC industry at an unprecedented pace. From design and planning to procurement, field management, and project controls, AI is enabling teams to unlock insights, automate workflows, and reduce risk across the entire project lifecycle.

BuiltWorlds’ “40 AI-Driven AEC Solutions to Watch in 2026” highlights a diverse mix of well-funded global startups and emerging platforms, all pushing the boundaries of how AI can be applied in the built environment. Solutions are listed alphabetically by category, reflecting the breadth of innovation across the ecosystem.

Trunk Tools was recognized in the Project Management & Workflow Automation category—an area where AI has the potential to drive immediate, measurable impact for contractors and project teams.

Why Trunk Tools Stands Out

Construction projects generate massive volumes of unstructured data—specifications, RFIs, drawings, schedules, contracts, and more. Finding answers quickly and accurately is often a major bottleneck for teams in the field and the office.

Trunk Tools is an AI-driven construction technology platform built to solve this challenge. The platform helps builders organize and interpret unstructured project data and automate repetitive administrative workflows so teams can get answers and insights faster on jobsites.

Our suite of AI agents includes:

• TrunkText for instant document Q&A
  
• TrunkSubmittal for automated submittal checks
  
• TrunkReview for drawing revision analysis

   

Together, these tools are designed to boost productivity, reduce rework, and improve decision-making for construction stakeholders. Trunk Tools integrates with common construction systems and is trusted by large contractors to streamline project documentation and field operations.

Episode Title: Why AI Adoption Fails and How Construction Leaders Can Fix It

Podcast Info: Digital Builder Podcast (Autodesk), Hosted by Eric Thomas

Trunk Tools CEO Dr. Sarah Buchner Featured on Autodesk’s “Digital Builder Podcast”

Trunk Tools Founder & CEO Dr. Sarah Buchner recently joined Eric Thomas on Autodesk’s Digital Builder Podcast for a practical, candid conversation about why AI adoption continues to fall short in construction—and what leaders can do differently.

Recorded live at Autodesk University, the episode moves beyond high-level AI hype and into the realities of implementation. Drawing from her experience as a carpenter, project leader, data scientist, and construction technology founder, Sarah shares what successful AI adoption actually looks like on real jobsites and inside real construction organizations.

Throughout the conversation, Sarah breaks down why many AI initiatives stall before delivering value, often due to misaligned expectations, resistance to change, or tools that aren’t built for construction workflows. She emphasizes the importance of starting with real problems—especially white-collar inefficiencies—and explains how autonomous AI agents differ from general-purpose tools like ChatGPT.

A recurring theme is leadership. Sarah discusses the critical role executives, legal teams, and IT play in enabling adoption, as well as why construction-trained, vertical AI models are essential for driving meaningful ROI. When implemented thoughtfully, AI has the potential to reduce rework, ease labor shortages, and free teams to focus on what matters most: building.

The episode offers a grounded, experience-driven perspective for construction leaders looking to move from experimentation to impact.

Listen to the full conversation here: Why AI Adoption Fails and How Construction Leaders Can Fix It

Episode Title: Surviving the Next 5 Years: What Young PMs Must Know About AI with Dr. Sarah Buchner

Podcast Info: Construction Conversations Podcast, Hosted by Stephen Poppe

Trunk Tools CEO Dr. Sarah Buchner Featured on Construction Conversations Podcast

Trunk Tools CEO Dr. Sarah Buchner joined Stephen Poppe on the Construction Conversations podcast to talk candidly about AI, the future of work, and what the next five years will mean for young builders.

In the episode, Sarah shares her journey from the trades in rural Austria to leading a construction tech company in the U.S., highlighting how cultural differences shape innovation across global markets. She underscores the importance of field-driven feedback, the realities of data ownership, and why most “project IP” isn’t actually IP.

A key message: AI isn’t replacing people—it’s replacing busywork. The PMs who learn to work with these tools will gain a massive advantage in the years ahead.

Sarah also urges leaders not to wait for the “perfect” AI solution. Instead, she encourages individuals to start now, experiment, and leverage AI to accelerate learning and reduce friction across workflows.

Listen to the full conversation here: Surviving the Next 5 Years: What Young PMs Must Know About AI

Article Title: “Suffolk touts its 2025 ConTech Startup Picks”

Author: Matthew Thibault, Reporter, Construction Dive

Excerpt: 

Suffolk Technologies, the venture capital arm of Boston-based contractor Suffolk Construction, has closed out its sixth BOOST tech accelerator through its Demo Day, where eight selected startups pitched their products to an audience of investors, experts and stakeholders, according to a Nov. 20 news release.

BOOST, which Suffolk launched in 2020, has graduated 38 participants, including Trunk Tools and Kaya AI, that have raised more than $700 million in funding, according to the news release. Solutions ranged from artificial intelligence, prefabrication and robotics to materials science.

This year, Suffolk tapped its network of 55 partner organizations to give the companies access to clients, pilot projects and investors, as well as experience on active Suffolk jobsites. Of those 55, 28 were construction firms, and 10 of them conducted a pilot on an active jobsite with one or more BOOST members, per a Suffolk spokesperson.

Article Title: 6 Tips to Use AI to Revolutionize Operations

Author: Elizabeth Gore, Founder & President

Excerpt: 

On a recent episode of The Big Idea from Yahoo Finance, I sat down with Sarah Buchner, founder and CEO of Trunk Tools, to talk about how AI technology is reshaping one of the world’s oldest industries.  

Buchner’s story starts far from Silicon Valley. Growing up in Austria, she began working in construction with her father at just 12 years old, learning every layer of the trade from the ground up. Years later, after moving to the United States, she founded Trunk Tools, an AI platform built to organize unstructured data, automate workflows, and empower field workers.  

Buchner shared that construction is the second-biggest industry after health care, and $13 trillion to $14 trillion per year is spent on it.  

As we talked, I was struck by how universal her lessons are. Whether you are running a construction firm or a creative agency, the principles behind her success apply to anyone looking to scale smarter, not harder. Here are six takeaways on using AI to streamline business from my conversation with Buchner: 

Choose the right AI partner. 

AI is not going to take your job, but someone using AI could. So it’s important for white-collar workers to adopt it now. Buchner recommends sticking with the industry you have expertise in and looking into how AI can streamline your operations. When it’s time to purchase AI, evaluate the company’s exprience, how long it’s been around, and whether it’s been doing AI with customers in your segment.  

“Business owners in all industries should be really clear about buying vertical-specific AI from companies that have done this for a while,” Buchner said. 

Start with one workflow. 

Pick one workflow that is highly repetitive that you deeply understand and other people don’t deeply understand. Start building AI for it. Trying to automate too many things at once can lead to confusion, wasted time, and unreliable data. Instead, identify one task that slows down your team and test how AI can simplify it. 

Don’t fear hearing no.

Buchner has raised $70 million and has more than 100 employees, but she’s been rejected many times along the way. She said things will not always move smoothly or in a straight line. However, it’s your job to get them back on track. Understand that hearing no is all part of the process. 

Keep vision broad but the goal short. 

Buchner recommends forgetting the five-year plan. Instead, stay agile and keep building. Brainstorm how you can use AI to organize and clean data drives, let it handle repetitive tasks, and invest in AI early. Don’t be afraid to experiment. 

Know when to walk away from customers. 

While Buchner believes in investing heavily in customer and market education, she’s also quick to recognize when a relationship isn’t the right fit. If potential clients resist change or refuse to adapt, she doesn’t waste energy trying to persuade them.

“I’d rather go with people who understand that things are changing and they need to jump on it,” Buchner said. 

Before you raise money, ask if you really need it.  

Consider whether you truly need venture capital. Most small businesses don’t, and can explore other options, such as debt financing. Treat fundraising like a sales process—know your audience, prepare your pitch, and understand the tradeoffs. 

Buchner’s approach is a reminder that innovation starts with solving real problems. Streamlining operations is not just about efficiency. It’s about freeing people to focus on the work that matters most. Every founder faces the challenge of turning complexity into clarity. Buchner proves that with the right tools and mindset, even the most traditional industries can evolve faster than anyone expects. 

We’re proud to share that Trunk Tools has been named to the Accel 2025 US AI 100—recognizing the top 100 privately held AI and cloud companies in the United States valued under $1B. Trunk Tools was selected in the Vertical AI category.

About the Accel 2025 US AI 100

Accel’s US AI 100 highlights the companies shaping the next era of artificial intelligence across the U.S. The list is part of Accel’s broader Globalscape report, which explores the forces driving what they call a new industrial revolution.

Over the past year, AI has propelled global markets to new highs—from Nvidia becoming the world’s first $5T company to an 84% year-over-year increase in venture funding across the U.S., Europe, and Israel. As the race for compute accelerates, Accel’s analysis underscores the momentum behind AI applications transforming real-world industries.

We’re honored for Trunk Tools to be recognized among this year’s top innovators.

About Trunk Tools

Trunk Tools is the trusted AI platform for construction, equipping project teams with field-ready tools that automate work and streamline access to critical information. Construction generates massive amounts of unstructured data—often millions of pages per project—and Trunk Tools leverages AI to structure this complexity and reduce costly rework.

Our flagship product, TrunkText, is an AI-powered Q&A agent that delivers instant answers via text message, helping users save hours per day and improving decision-making in the field.

Builders across the industry rely on Trunk Tools to improve coordination, cut waste, and keep projects moving. As one customer shared:

“TrunkText is an incredible tool that has provided increased productivity in my daily operations.”
— Andy Roy, Superintendent, Gilbane

Founded in 2021 by Dr. Sarah Buchner and headquartered in New York City, Trunk Tools is backed by Redpoint Ventures, Innovation Endeavors, and Fifth Wall.

Looking Ahead

We’re proud to be recognized on the Accel 2025 US AI 100 and to stand alongside a remarkable group of AI companies building the future.

AI is reshaping how work gets done—and construction deserves best-in-class tools designed for the realities of the field. At Trunk Tools, we’re committed to empowering construction professionals to focus on what matters most: building.

Here’s to continuing our mission to #LetBuildersBuild.

Episode Title: Why Your Construction Tech Stack Looks Like a Mess – Construction Tech Stack Management Complexities

Podcast Info: Bricks & Bytes Podcast, Hosted by Owen Drury

Trunk Tools Enterprise Solutions Engineer Joshua Weyand Featured on “Bricks & Bytes” Podcast

Trunk Tools Enterprise Solutions Engineer Josh Weyand joined Owen Drury on the Bricks & Bytes podcast—the leading platform for exploring how technology is transforming architecture, engineering, and construction—to talk about the growing complexity of today’s construction tech stacks.

In the episode, “Why Your Construction Tech Stack Looks Like a Mess – Construction Tech Stack Management Complexities,” Josh dives into the challenges construction companies face as they balance a growing number of tools, platforms, and data systems. He explains how this often leads to what the industry calls a “Frankenstein tech stack,” where multiple solutions coexist without cohesion or scalability.

Drawing from his experience as Director of Emerging Technology at Suffolk and now at Trunk Tools, Josh shares practical insights on how builders can move from fragmented, one-off pilots to integrated, enterprise-wide solutions that actually deliver value. The conversation covers why some technologies scale while others stall, why trust and credibility often matter more than product features, and how vendors can align their offerings with real business goals instead of creating more friction.

Hosted by Bricks & Bytes, the #1 source of content in the AEC technology space, the discussion bridges the gap between traditional construction practices and emerging technologies. Known for spotlighting innovators who are reshaping the built environment, the podcast provides an inside look at how leaders like Josh are helping contractors adopt AI, automation, and data-driven tools that make jobsites more efficient.

Watch the full episode to hear Josh’s insights on:

• Why building trust and credibility matters more than product features
• The real reasons technologies don’t scale (and why it’s not always about the product)
• How to align solutions with business initiatives to drive adoption
• What makes construction-specific tools win over generic software solutions

Stay ahead of construction technology trends by tuning in to the Bricks & Bytes podcast, available on YouTube and bricks-bytes.com

Episode Title: AI won’t take your job – but someone using it will

Podcast Info: The Big Idea Podcast, Hosted by Elizabeth Gore

Trunk Tools CEO Sarah Buchner Featured on Yahoo! Finance’s “The Big Idea” Podcast

Trunk Tools CEO Dr. Sarah Buchner joined Elizabeth Gore on Yahoo! Finance’s The Big Idea Podcast to talk about how artificial intelligence is reshaping construction from the ground up.

In the episode, “AI won’t take your job — but someone using it will,” Sarah shares her journey from growing up as a 12-year-old carpenter in Austria to leading a $70 million AI startup revolutionizing the $14 trillion construction industry. She explains how Trunk Tools is using AI to clean up unstructured data, eliminate costly inefficiencies, and empower field teams to focus on what truly matters—building.

“This isn’t about replacing people,” Buchner says. “It’s about augmenting human expertise with intelligence that’s purpose-built for the field. When we #LetBuildersBuild, everyone wins.”

From overcoming industry bias to pioneering AI agents that serve as the “brain” of the jobsite, Sarah dives deep into what it really takes to modernize construction—and why every business leader should start thinking about how to streamline operations through AI.

Listen to the full conversation here: AI won’t take your job — but someone using it will

We’re proud to share that Trunk Tools has been recognized by Redpoint Ventures on its AI64: Top Emerging Enterprise AI Applications list—highlighting 64 companies redefining how work gets done through artificial intelligence.

About the AI64 Report

Redpoint’s AI64 report spotlights the companies leading a historic platform shift in enterprise software. As large language models (LLMs) transform how work is performed, AI-native applications are moving beyond traditional SaaS tools—no longer just helping people work, but performing the work itself.

This shift from Software-as-a-Service to Service-as-Software is unlocking massive new markets. According to Redpoint, if the cloud software market is valued at roughly $600 billion, AI-native applications could expand that opportunity at least threefold.

The AI64 companies were selected based on market potential, technical approach, team excellence, and demonstrated traction—organizations already proving AI’s real-world value.

Trunk Tools: AI for the Real World

Trunk Tools’ inclusion recognizes our leadership in bringing AI-native systems to one of the world’s most complex and physical industries: construction.

As our founder and CEO, Dr. Sarah Buchner, shared:

“AI is only as powerful as its understanding of the real world—and there’s no industry more real than construction. At Trunk Tools, we’re building AI-native systems of action to let builders build and transform how critical work gets done in the field.”

Headquartered in New York City and backed by Redpoint Ventures, Innovation Endeavors, and Fifth Wall, Trunk Tools has raised $70 million to date. Our platform leverages construction-specific AI models to automate workflows, reduce rework, and empower project teams to focus on what they do best: building.

Looking Ahead

We’re honored to stand alongside the innovative companies on Redpoint’s AI64 list, all driving real-world transformation through AI.

AI is not just a buzzword—it’s becoming the foundation of modern work. At Trunk Tools, we’re proud to be building that future in construction. #LetBuildersBuild

Article Title: Gilbane Rolls Out Trunk Tools AI Agents Across Its Jobsites

Author: Jeff Yoders, Engineering News-Record

Excerpt: 

Gilbane Building Co. said it has selected Trunk Tools as its enterprise-wide construction site artificial intelligence partner to roll out TrunkSubmittal, TrunkText, and TrunkSOP AI agents across more than 200 projects nationwide over the next two years.

The decision follows the launch at ENR FutureTech in May of TrunkSubmittal, the tech firm’s AI-enabled assistant that helps with submittals sent to design teams on construction projects. The tool was made generally available on July 1 and was adopted across 30 active Gilbane projects this summer. In just three months, teams used TrunkSubmittal to review more than 2,000 submittals, improving the quality of those sent to architects, according to the contractor.

The firms signed what Trunk Tools said was a “seven-figure” agreement.

“AI is a transformative force that is shaping the future of construction, and we’re committed to leading the industry forward through innovation,” said Adam Jelen, CEO of Gilbane. “Trunk Tools has already shown it can deliver real impact on our jobsites. Our enterprise-wide rollout ensures every Gilbane team has access to this technology that is proven to support smart, efficient work in the field.”

Since July, TrunkTools has found that 72% of submittals received on Gilbane projects with TrunkSubmittal were non-compliant, 25% partially compliant, and only 3% fully compliant. By flagging these issues early, Gilbane said its teams reduced re-submissions, shortening cycle times by nearly 50% and prevented requests for information, delays and quality issues.

“It helps us optimize efficiency, automates bureaucratic workflows and allows our teams to focus on what they do best,” Heidi DeBenedetti, COO of Gilbane said of the Trunk Tools AI agents.

Gilbane Superintendent Andy Roy described TrunkText and TrunkSubmittal as “game-changers for how we operate,” while Rawle Sawh, director of operations technology, said his team found that Trunk Tool “drastically” improved the jobsite experience and kept the contractor “ahead of the curve in technology adoption and service quality provided to its customers.”

Trunk Tools also introduced TrunkReview, a new agent that aids project managers in bulletin review by analyzing drawing revisions and has proprietary large language models to analyze construction drawings.

“When we launched TrunkSubmittal… our vision was to show how AI could fundamentally change the way submittals are managed,” said Sarah Buchner, Trunk Tools CEO.. “Just six months later, Gilbane has taken it enterprise-wide.”

The rollout “proves that Trunk Tools is delivering real ROI at scale, not experiments—and it’s only the beginning,” she contended, adding that “with Gilbane as a partner, we’re building the foundation for the next generation of AI in construction, from submittals to drawings and beyond.”