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1. The Hidden Tech Waste Inside Every Practice (And How to Finally See It)

Over the last year, I’ve noticed a pattern across every architecture practice I’ve worked with: hidden software and tech waste.

Most teams don’t realise it’s there. But it quietly drains time, budget, and momentum.

Last week, while walking through the Wes Anderson exhibition, I stopped beside a sign that simply read:

Concierge

And it hit me: that’s exactly the role I’ve been playing for architects.

A technology concierge, someone who helps practices navigate complexity, remove friction, and make better decisions about their tools, workflows, AI adoption, and overall tech spend. Not more software. Just clarity.

Out of this work, something new has emerged: The ADDD Technology Blueprint, a structured way to uncover inefficiencies, map your ecosystem, and realign your stack for 2026 and beyond.

I’ve included a carousel above outlining what the Blueprint actually contains, why it’s needed, and how it helps practices prepare for the rising software costs many vendors have already signalled for 2026.

If your practice is reviewing its tech stack for next year, hit reply and tell me what you’re finding most challenging. I’ll share tailored guidance in an upcoming edition.

2. Autodesk Prices Are Likely to Rise in 2026 - Here’s How to Take Back Control

With Autodesk likely to announce price increases for 2026, many practices are suddenly re-examining their tech spend. But cost is only the symptom. The real issue is understanding what your technology ecosystem actually looks like.

Over the last year, I’ve been working with several architecture practices to produce Technology Blueprints. It began after noticing the same pattern everywhere I went:

• Exceptionally talented architects
• Skilled, committed teams
• But an increasingly tangled mix of tools, licences, processes, and workflows

Not chaos. Just accumulated decisions - layered year after year.

The Technology Blueprint emerged as a way to make sense of all of it. Instead of evaluating individual software tools in isolation, it examines the entire ecosystem:

• Software
• Hardware
• Processes
• Workflows
• IT Support
• AI Readiness
• Collaboration
• Infrastructure
• Licensing & costs
• Culture & ownership

And here’s what’s become clear: most practices don’t struggle with a single problem.
They struggle with a collection of small misalignments that compound over time, misalignments almost impossible to spot from within the day-to-day project grind.

The Blueprint is simply a structured way of holding up a mirror.

I’m sharing this now because many practices are reviewing their tech stacks ahead of 2026.
If you’re wondering where to focus, I’ll be sharing a short summary next week on the most common gaps and the practical fixes that consistently unlock the biggest improvements.

Reply with ‘Blueprint’ if you want a heads-up summary tailored to your firm.

3. If You Sell ConTech, This Is The Room You Need to Be In

If you build tech for architects or engineers, the biggest challenge isn’t the product, it’s getting in front of the people who can actually buy it. That’s why AEC INNOVATE (June 16–18, 2026, Aria Las Vegas) matters.

It brings together 500+ Principals, CTOs, Innovation Leads, Digital Directors, and decision-makers who come specifically to evaluate new AI and workflow tools.

This isn’t a trade show. It’s direct access to your ICP.

Why Exhibit?

You get two days of high-intent conversations with senior AEC leaders who are actively:

✓ Looking for new tools
✓ Making budget decisions
✓ Comparing solutions side-by-side
✓ Planning their 2026 tech roadmaps

If you want pipeline, product feedback, visibility, and deal acceleration, I think that this is it.

Your Exhibitor Package Includes

• Exhibit space
• 2 passes
• Your logo on the website + main stage
• A custom promo link (below) giving your prospects $200 off

Why It Works

AEC INNOVATE is built to connect ConTech builders with the exact end users shaping adoption across the industry - the people who influence real buying decisions.

Want one of the limited exhibitor spots?
Use this link to register your interest: https://www.psmj.com/innovateaddd

5. 5 Essential Resources Every ConTech Founder Should Be Using

This year alone I’ve met with more than 200 ConTech founders. Different products, different markets, different stages but the same pattern keeps appearing:

Most founders think they need better software skills.
What they actually need is community, feedback, visibility, and the right people around them. Here are the five resources I always recommend, the ones almost everyone overlooks:

1️⃣ Architechies - 4,000+ members

One of the most active communities at the intersection of AEC and technology.
High signal, low noise. A must-join for anyone building in this space.

2️⃣ AEC Test Lab - NEW!

A new group designed for real early product feedback. If you want honest testing from practitioners before launching, this is where you get it. Reply AEC TestLab to join.

3️⃣ AEC AI Technical Discussion Group - 400+ specialists

Deep technical conversations, problem-solving, and rapid-fire sharing of breakthroughs.
One of the sharpest AI groups in AEC. Link here: https://chat.whatsapp.com/BWWTz5Exx4A2AeNpIZCeNW

4️⃣ ADDD ConTech Database - 1,700+ tools

A free, open-source database covering almost the entire ConTech ecosystem.
Perfect for market research, competitor mapping, and spotting new opportunities. https://contechdatabase.softr.app/

5️⃣ AEC Tech Jobs - 600+ active roles

The only job board focused entirely on ConTech roles:
Product managers, AI engineers, developer advocates, BIM technologists, marketers, and more. If you’re hiring or looking start here: https://aectechjobs.com/search

10 ConTech Startups hiring today:

1. CONSIGLI - PRODUCT MANAGER -Your AI Agent for real estate development

2. Freeda - Freeda automatically reads architectural plans to help accelerate and secure pre-construction workflows.

3. Finch - The future of building planning.

4. Mercator.ai - We help growing construction companies build relationships far before the ground breaks

5. Trayd: Construction Payroll, HR, & Compliance - The all-in-one construction back office operating system, specializing in payroll, HR, and compliance.

6. Buildots - Making construction performance-driven, with AI

7. ResiQuant - Autonomous AI powering NatCat property underwriting

8. Bobyard - AI Landscaping Takeoffs & Estimates

9. Calcs.com - Make engineering design calculations the easiest part of your job with our fast, easy to use, and powerful platform.

10. Motif - Where tomorrow’s buildings take shape.

PS: We Build Brands in AEC Tech. You’re BUSY building the product. We’ll make sure the right people hear about it.

PLUS: Interested in transferring to Product Management? See out FREE How to become a Product manager resource! https://contech.carrd.co/

Thanks for reading!

See you next week,
Allister

Founder, ADDD & CoFounder AEC Tech Jobs

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