New AI platform has mapped every commercial construction project in San Antonio, giving contractors 'God mode' for leads
In San Antonio's construction market, where timing and relationships are critical, a new AI platform is transforming how commercial contractors discover early-stage work. Mercator.ai gives GCs early visibility into upcoming projects, helping them act before other contractors even know a project exists.
A Texas-based contractor put it plainly: 'It's God mode for leads.'
Mercator.ai has identified more than 65,000 private commercial construction project leads across Texas. Its early signals include zoning filings, permit applications, land sales, and ownership changes. Each update is traceable and verified.
Unlike traditional platforms that emphasize bid-stage activity, Mercator helps contractors build pipeline upstream. It turns scattered data into structured insights.
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.
Why It Beats Legacy Tools
Traditional bid-management platforms like ConstructConnect and Dodge track public big-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 is already happening. Mercator.ai shows you what is 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
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.
Mercator users surface more qualified leads. They also shorten sales cycles.
Adoption in South Texas
Mercator is now used by San Antonio AGC members and top-performing GCs and subs. It spans healthcare, commercial, industrial, and institutional segments.
'I do not wait for a phone call. Mercator lets me make the first one,' said one senior sales leader.
Mercator helps you work the way you want to, with more clarity and confidence.
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