Company Directory › Robotics › Embodied AI & Robot Software › ICON vs Preferred Networks
ICON vs Preferred Networks
ICON and Preferred Networks are both embodied ai & robot software companies. Their verified profiles differ on headquarters, country, industry focus, founding year, company size and markets served. The table below sets out only those rows; everything else is on each company's own profile. Facts verified 6 November 2026.
Where they differ
| Company | ICON | Preferred Networks |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Austin, Texas, United States | Otemachi Building, 1-6-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan |
| Country | United States | Japan |
| Industry | Construction robotics — large-scale 3D-printing robotic construction systems, software and materials | Platforms & Software — Embodied AI & Robot Software; vertically integrated AI (chips, computing, foundation models, solutions) |
| Founded | 2017 | 26 March 2014 |
| Company size | 201–500 employees (range shown on the company’s LinkedIn profile) | Approx. 400 employees (company-stated in its official company factsheet, updated October 2025) |
| Markets served | Homebuilders, developers and housing organisations in the United States and Mexico; US defense and government construction; NASA space-construction research | Japan and global; transportation, manufacturing, life sciences and other industries (per company descriptions) |
How ICON and Preferred Networks differ
From headquarters on opposite sides of the Pacific, ICON and Preferred Networks apply software and AI to very different physical problems. ICON, headquartered in Austin, Texas in the United States and founded in 2017, uses robotic 3D-printing systems to build houses and other structures layer by layer from a proprietary cementitious material. Preferred Networks, headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo in Japan and founded on 26 March 2014, pursues vertically integrated AI across chips, computing infrastructure, foundation models and solutions. Staffing is broadly comparable on paper: ICON shows 201–500 employees on its LinkedIn profile, while Preferred Networks states approximately 400 employees in its official factsheet updated in October 2025. Markets, however, do not align. ICON serves homebuilders, developers and housing organisations in the United States and Mexico, alongside United States defense and government construction and NASA space-construction research. Preferred Networks serves Japan and global markets across transportation, manufacturing, life sciences and other industries, according to company descriptions. Both remain private, with approximately $700M raised by ICON, including a $200M Series D in October 2026, and approximately US$315M for Preferred Networks per PitchBook. Construction printing and general AI infrastructure call for different buying criteria.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between ICON and Preferred Networks?
ICON is based in Austin, Texas, United States and Preferred Networks in Otemachi Building, 1-6-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan; they also differ on country, industry focus, founding year, company size, markets served. The table above sets out both companies' entries row by row.
Are ICON and Preferred Networks in the same country?
No. ICON is based in Austin, Texas, United States and Preferred Networks in Otemachi Building, 1-6-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
Can one sourcing request reach both ICON and Preferred Networks?
Yes. ICON can be reached through iconbuild.com and Preferred Networks through preferred.jp, or post one sourcing request and let both answer if they fit.
Does GlobleMatch rank ICON above Preferred Networks, or Preferred Networks above ICON?
Neither. There is no pay-to-rank and no paid placement in comparisons; order and content come from verified profile facts only.
Run ICON or Preferred Networks? Claim your free profile to keep your facts current.
Full profiles, with every fact and its source: ICON and Preferred Networks. Profile facts last verified: ICON on 6 November 2026, Preferred Networks on 10 November 2026.