New AI platform has mapped every construction project in Texas giving contractors "God mode" for leads
Texas GCs have always relied on luck, timing, and relationships to win new construction projects. But a new AI-powered platform by Mercator.ai is a game changer helping GCs discover private projects earlier, engage decision-makers sooner, and win deals ahead of competitors.
One Houston-based general contractor put it plainly: 'It's God mode for leads.'
Mercator.ai, a Texas-focused market intelligence platform, has mapped over 65,000 active private construction projects across the state. The platform provides structured access to early-stage signals such as rezoning activity, land title changes, permitting updates, and ownership transfers—often before plans are finalized or teams are selected.
Unlike traditional platforms that rely on user input or call centers, Mercator.ai pulls directly from city and state databases, private sources, and creates proprietary data where no structured information currently exists.
Every update is tied to a traceable source document, giving users a clear paper trail for every insight. Mercator.ai equips users to act early by connecting dots that would take a human weeks to uncover.
Built for Early Signal Detection
Contractors can follow civil engineers, developers, and architects, track movement across projects, and engage earlier with decision-makers. The platform helps BD teams position themselves as trusted advisors—shaping scope, not reacting to it.
Mercator.ai is the only source of early intelligence on private construction projects before the bid stage, giving contractors real-time visibility into upcoming opportunities. It surfaces what's coming—not just what's already out there.
10x Better Than Legacy Tools
Traditional bid-management platforms like ConstructConnect and Dodge track public bid-stage activity. But by the time projects hit those systems, it's often too late. Private work is different. You find very few private opportunities on bid boards, and often the ones featured are much too late.
'ConstructConnect tells you what's already happening. Mercator shows you what's coming,' says Mercator.ai founder Chloe Smith.
Chloe Smith created the Mercator.ai platform in 2020 after watching her father, a 45-year industry veteran, prepare for retirement. 'They were flying blind,' she recalls. 'Had he walked out, they wouldn't know where the work was coming from next.'
'My dad always talked to me about relationships,' she adds. 'As I matured, I realized the massive risk this imposed on his company. If he decided to retire, those relationships would disappear. Their revenue channel instantly appeared highly fragile.'
She describes Mercator.ai as a force multiplier tool for BD teams: a sales 'cheat code' that eliminates hours of manual research and replaces it with verified, real-time intelligence.
And more than that, it solves a deeper pain point: the FOMO of not knowing what you don't know.
'We were tired of hearing about projects too late. With Mercator, we're in early—and it's directly impacted our win rate.'
— VP, Business Development
Mercator.ai Free Permits App – Click Here
Results on the Ground
Texas-based users are already seeing impact. It's already being used by GCs like Joeris, Bartlett Cocke, and ChalkLine, and it's quickly becoming the de-facto standard in proactive business development across the state.
A Houston interiors firm used Mercator.ai to identify a permit revision, secure a meeting, and win the project.
A Dallas GC tracked multifamily conversions early and secured two jobs before competitors were even aware.
One Houston-based contractor secured a self-storage project by spotting an early land acquisition and rezoning signal. They invited the developer to tour a similar build, influenced the design, and ultimately won the job.
A self-perform contractor identified a healthcare expansion weeks in advance and locked in supplier work ahead of any bid package.
Internal metrics show users surface 3–5x more early-stage opportunities weekly—and spend far less time chasing dead-end leads.
'If I have one coffee meeting, I might walk away with two leads in an hour. If I'm on Mercator, I could find five in that same time.'
— Director of Business Development, General Contractor
'It really allows us to parse the data, analyze it, and get high-quality leads to reps in the field. So yes, I'm a fan.'
— Senior Manager, Business Development
'Mercator cuts through the noise. We don't waste time chasing dead-end leads anymore.'
— Sales Manager
Mercator.ai Pricing – Click Here to Book a Live Demo
Widespread Adoption and Growing Demand
Mercator.ai is actively used by members of Houston AGC, Austin AGC, San Antonio AGC, and Texo AGC/ABC. It tracks commercial, industrial, healthcare, institutional, and multifamily projects across tenant improvement, exterior renovations, core and shell, and ground up construction in every major metro in the state.
The platform's growth reflects a broader shift in how construction teams are using technology. In a more competitive, margin-conscious market, timing and insight have become decisive advantages.
'AI gives people the time and space to be more strategic,' says Nihar Dalmia, a partner at Deloitte. 'It enables higher-value work and accelerates decision-making.'
Mercator.ai doesn't replace business development. It sharpens it. The best teams don't just react faster—they show up earlier, with more to offer.
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