Monopolies and Platforms

Software trends in the AEC sector.

In the early 21st century, capitalism—the globally dominant economic paradigm—operates on a few fundamental assumptions. First, it relies on the reinvestment of profits into innovation. Second, it thrives on competition, where success and failure drive progress. On one hand, competition accelerates innovation as companies push to survive. On the other, it often leads to monopolies, as the strongest players outcompete and absorb their rivals. The result is that wealth and market power concentrate among a select few, while others are left behind. Monopolies exist across industries, but they are particularly prevalent in software development. Companies like Microsoft, Google, and Apple frequently acquire competitors—sometimes only to shut them down. While these tech giants continue to innovate through mutual competition, the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry faces a different reality: it has only one dominant monopoly—Autodesk.

Autodesk produces powerful software, but its near-total market control means it lacks the urgency to innovate. With a captive user base deeply invested in its ecosystem, Autodesk has little incentive to rapidly develop new tools. Meanwhile, the challenges facing the AEC industry are increasingly complex and fast-evolving. Monopolies, by nature, are slow to respond to such dynamic demands. As a result, architects and engineers cannot rely on Autodesk alone to deliver cutting-edge solutions—whether for reliable carbon calculators, circular material tracking, or other emerging needs.

This is precisely the gap that Allister Lewis seeks to address with the Automated Data-Driven Design (ADDD.io) marketplace. Rather than relying on a single software provider, ADDD.io connects AEC professionals with a diverse range of specialized, innovative tools. This platform-based approach challenges Autodesk’s monopoly by fostering an ecosystem of interoperable software solutions that tackle specific design and construction challenges. While a single new software tool may have little impact on a dominant player, a thriving marketplace of interconnected alternatives presents a real challenge.

Autodesk has taken notice and is now making efforts to expand its offerings. But is it too late? As smaller, more agile software solutions gain traction, will Autodesk adapt—or will it continue its pattern of acquiring and absorbing competitors, including those emerging from ADDD.io? The future of AEC innovation may depend on whether the industry embraces open, collaborative platforms or remains locked into a monopolistic system that stifles progress.