As we hit the halfway mark in 2025, one thing is clear: construction teams are under more pressure than ever to move fast, stay compliant, and deliver results — and Tough Leaf is here to help.
We’ve been hard at work improving the platform, expanding our network, and helping both general contractors and certified firms get more value from every project. Whether you’re using our full-service support today or preparing for self-serve tools in the future, here’s a look at what’s new, what’s working, and what’s next.
Real Projects, Real Results: How Holt Construction Hit 33% MWBE Participation
When one of the largest airlines in North America needed a new 230,000 sq. ft. catering facility at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport, they tapped Holt Construction to lead the way.
Faced with a 30% MWBE participation goal and a tight bid window, Holt partnered with Tough Leaf to pre-qualify subcontractors across scopes.
The result?
✅ 33% MWBE participation
✅ Faster bid packaging
✅ Simplified compliance and reporting
✅ No compromise on quality or schedule
“We’d probably be taking money out of our own pockets to hire you to help us out.”
— Taylor Tiefenthaler, Estimator, Holt Construction
Platform Upgrades That Benefit GCs and Subs
Whether you're a GC managing large-scale bids or a certified firm looking to grow your pipeline, these product updates are designed to make the process smoother and smarter for everyone.
Weekly Certification Updates
We now update certifications across all major agencies every 7 days. That means GCs are always working with the latest data, and subs can be confident their status is up to date and visible.
50,000+ New Firms in the Network
Our database of certified and diverse firms continues to grow, giving GCs more qualified partners to choose from, and helping subs show up in more searches.
Smarter, Human-Readable Search
Forget the acronyms. Search now works by full agency and certification names (e.g., “Port Authority of New York & New Jersey + Minority Business Enterprise”), making it easier to find and be found.
Award Tracking
We can now track which bid packages are awarded directly in the platform, streamlining reporting and project handoffs.
New Project Dashboards
Get a real-time overview of vendor activity, outreach progress, and compliance tracking, all in one place. GCs get transparency, and subs can better understand where they stand.
Workflow Editor MVP
We launched the foundation for customizable workflows, starting with our internal teams, but with self-serve coming soon to select GC partners.
Subcontractors Winning with Tough Leaf
Certified firms continue to stand out and win work through our platform. A few highlights:
- Quality Wet Paint: Turned their profile into new GC partnerships.
- Bonanza Contracting: Used Tough Leaf to go from overlooked to on the job.
If you're a certified firm, this is your sign to keep your profile active and up to date - GCs are looking.
Something Big is Coming at Procore Groundbreak
We’re getting ready to unveil a major product expansion this October at Groundbreak. If you're attending, come say hello. If not, we'll make sure you're in the loop with all the details.
Spoiler: It’s all about giving you more control, more insights, and more ways to win.
Stronger Together: Partners Supporting Growth
We’ve joined forces with organizations like Heartland and Levitt-Fuirst to offer subcontractors that work with Tough Leaf access to:
- Business financing
- Bonding and insurance
- Financial education and tools
These partnerships are here to help certified firms stay ready, and help GCs work with subs who are set up for success.
Recommended Reads
A step-by-step guide for GCs to find qualified subs, and for subs to stand out.
A reflection on the business and cultural value of supplier diversity in construction.
We’re building a better future for compliance, collaboration, and construction.
Thanks for being part of it.
Have questions? Want to talk about your next project or how to stand out on the platform? Contact us at hello@toughleaf.com - we’d love to connect.