Blog

Wissam Akra is a Special Guest on the Latest Specified Podcast!

Highlights from Tough Leaf’s Webinar: Using AI to Find Diverse Subcontractors

Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Construction:

How the City of New Rochelle Streamlined & Strengthened Its Diverse Supplier Program

The story of a pioneering collaboration The story of a pioneering collaboration between a mission-driven construction technology company and a forward-thinking local government.

Impactful Bids That Lead To Successful Projects

How Tough Leaf Helped Quality Wet Paint, LLC Win a Major Museum Contract

Quality Wet Paint, LLC found success with Tough Leaf, a platform offering certified small, local, and diverse subcontractors free access to relevant bidding opportunities. Initially skeptical, the President of Quality Wet Paint, LLC., Bernardo Flores, Ph.D. was intrigued by Tough Leaf's promise to connect him directly with prime contractors without a fee. With Tough Leaf's help, Bernardo secured a painting project at a local museum, navigating complexities like prevailing wages. Unlike other companies, Tough Leaf operates on a no-cost model for diverse subcontractors, Quality Wet Paint, LLC's experience showcases Tough Leaf's role in leveling the playing field for small businesses and fostering growth in a competitive market.

Celebrating Women Leaders in Construction: Stories from Two Women-Owned Firms in the Tough Leaf Community

Get Your Construction Business Future-Ready: Key Takeaways from Our Webinar

A Tough Leaf Spotlight on Two Remarkable Black-Owned Subcontractors

Everything You Need To Know About Safe Harbor Plans

A safe harbor 401(k) plan is a tax-deferred 401(k) plan that ensures all eligible employees at a company receive an employer contribution made to their individual 401(k) plans, regardless of their title, compensation, or length of service.

Navigating the Digital Horizon: Why Small Construction Firms Must Embrace Tech for Success

The future of construction undeniably lies in the digital realm, and those who proactively adopt technology - along with the data that comes with it - will play a leading role in shaping this future.

Tough Leaf in 2023:

As we turn the page on 2023, the Tough Leaf Team decided to take a moment to reflect on the meaningful milestones from the past year and get candid about the ambitious goals fueling our drive into 2024 and beyond.

Streamlining Materials Management: Insights from Industry Experts

Tough Leaf Partner Spotlight: Heartland, Bringing New Potential to Payroll

Trailblazing the Future: Insights on Construction Tech from Industry Innovators

Maximizing Green Builds: How to Unlock Massive Savings Through Energy-Efficient Tax Incentives

Tough Leaf Announces Integration with Autodesk Construction Cloud

Tough Leaf ™, a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) innovator in construction, has announced a new integration of its AI-powered matching platform with Autodesk Construction Cloud®, a portfolio of software and services that combines advanced technology, a builders network and predictive insights for construction teams.

A Small Business Guide to Getting Your Foot in the Government’s Door

Government contracting offers immense opportunity, but successfully securing these lucrative contracts requires strategy and diligence. In this guide, I'll walk through the key steps to evaluate if government work is right for your business, register and certify your company, identify opportunities, and market yourself effectively. Follow this advice to determine if government contracting is a good fit and set your business up for success in the public sector marketplace.

Announcing Tough Leaf's Newest Partner: Ply - Streamlining Materials Management for Small Contractors

Tough Leaf capacity-building partners are specifically chosen for their ability to support our community of certified MWDBE firms in building internal systems that will help them scale to the next level. This is why we’re happy to introduce Ply, our newest member of the capacity-building team.

Wissam Akra’s Trailblazing Journey in Transforming the Construction Industry

Wissam Akra created Tough Leaf, an AI platform linking construction contractors with underrepresented businesses, streamlining subcontractor hiring for inclusivity. He aimed to empower diverse firms, facing challenges of market entry and compliance. Future plans: expand, innovate, partner, data-driven decisions, community engagement.

Tough Leaf Announces Procore Partnership and Product Integration

Tough Leaf, a leader in diverse firm procurement, partners with Procore Technologies, Inc., a global construction management software provider. Through this collaboration, Tough Leaf's database of 80,000+ certified Diverse Companies, including various minority-owned businesses, will be on Procore's App Marketplace. Contractors using Procore can now connect with firms that meet project requirements and deliver high-quality work on time. The partnership aims to empower diverse firms and help contractors achieve diversity participation goals.

Tough Leaf reaches $110 million in projects awarded to diverse firms

Tough Leaf, a mission-driven platform connecting general contractors and developers with qualified business enterprises owned by minorities, women, veterans and other disadvantaged groups, has announced that it has awarded more than $110 million in projects through its platform, charging nothing to the diverse firms that receive these contracts.

How to get certified as a Diverse Firm — New York Edition

How to get certified as a diverse firm in New York. To do so, you must apply separately to the relevant agencies, such as NYC Small Business Services, NYS, or PANYNJ. The article provides information on what certification to get depending on the projects you bid on, and offers tips on how to prepare for the application process. Additionally, the article introduces Tough Leaf, a platform that connects certified diverse firms with contractors and offers targeted bids based on their qualifications.

How to get certified as a Diverse Firm — New Jersey Edition

How to get certified as a Diverse Firm in New Jersey, including minority-owned, women-owned, disadvantaged, or service disabled veteran-owned businesses. It covers how to determine the appropriate certification, tips for preparing an application, and highlights resources available to diverse firms in the state.