The iSqFt Story

Construction Software Technologies, Inc. (CST) was founded in 1993 in West Chester, Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati, by Phil Ogilby and his son Justin. The company's initial focus was the development of takeoff and estimating software for the commercial roofing and sheet metal industry.

In 1996, CST released Buildware Pro Estimating software, a revolutionary program that enabled the measurement of paper blueprints using a digitizer plus the ability to measure electronic blueprints directly on a computer screen. The technology was powerful in concept, however, the availability of electronic blueprint documents was limited.

By 2000, the company was prepared to answer this need and began to turn its attention from simply being a software provider that distributed its product through conventional means to the online world - and the birth of iSqFt. This represented an opportunity to create significant value for the construction industry in a more powerful and efficient way.

The company's efforts were validated in March 2001 when iSqFt forged an exclusive strategic partnership with the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). This provided the organization's membership with Internet Plan Room services, and eventually Private Construction Offices, in conjunction with the participating AGC chapters.

At the time, AGC Task Force Chair Jim Burkett stated, "The Task Force objective was to research and find the most comprehensive Chapter-based Internet Plan Room solution available. After considering numerous offerings, we determined that iSqFt provides both the functionality and market development capabilities that would most benefit our membership at the local chapter level."

Using the AGC partnership as a springboard, iSqFt began a steady period of growth. By the end of 2002, the firm had secured significant investment backing, which enabled the company to continue with plans to enhance and expand its services.

Through the 2004 acquisition of such construction notables as BuildPoint, USProjects, and BidFax in mid-2004, iSqFt has been able to further achieve its geographic expansion and further extend its service offerings, thus cementing its position as an industry leading provider of online preconstruction management services.

In November 2004, Inc. magazine ranked iSqFt first in the construction industry on the magazine's "Inc. 500" list of the fastest growing private companies in the United States.

In 2005 the company was recognized by two additional business organizations. The company's CEO/President Dave Conway received the 2005 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in the South Central Ohio and Kentucky region in the Technology category. Shortly after that, iSqFt was named a recipient of the 2005 Deal Maker Awards presented by the Greater Cincinnati Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth.

After a second consecutive year placing on the Inc. magazine Inc. 500 list of fastest growing companies in the U.S. and the subsequent addition of hundreds of general contractors and thousands of subcontractor members in the last year alone, iSqFt today provides online preconstruction management services to general contractors, subcontractors, building material suppliers, and manufacturers around the country.