Professional design tools
Replace disconnected concept files with a product model that can mature into drawings, assemblies, and manufacturing data.
SOLIDWORKS for Startups
Free SOLIDWORKS for hardware startups
Move from idea to manufacturable product with professional CAD, simulation, collaboration, and product-development tools. Check your eligibility, prepare the company details, and apply when you are ready.
Applications are reviewed by Dassault Systèmes. Approval, products, timing, and regional availability are not guaranteed.
Overview
What is SOLIDWORKS for Startups?
The program gives eligible early-stage companies access to professional product-development tools while cash is better spent validating a design, building prototypes, and reaching customers.
The exact software mix depends on the application, region, and approval. The practical goal is simple: give a product company enough capability to design the part, test the idea, collaborate on changes, and prepare better manufacturing data.
1
Design
Build accurate 3D models, assemblies, and production drawings.
2
Validate
Check fit, motion, loads, flow, and manufacturability before committing to tooling.
3
Prepare to make it
Organize product data, communicate revisions, and hand off cleaner information to suppliers or production.
Earlier technical decisions
Use available simulation tools to compare ideas before prototype cost and schedule make changes harder.
A path toward production
Connect design intent to the information machinists, fabricators, suppliers, and internal teams need next.
Year 1100% free
Published no-cost first-year offer for approved startups.
Year 270% off
Published transition pricing after the initial term.
Year 350% off
Published third-year discount before standard commercial licensing.
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Program availability, products, and offer length may vary by region and approval. Confirm the terms in the acceptance and renewal documents before building a budget around the published three-year path.
Eligibility
Is your startup a likely fit?
The strongest fit is a new SOLIDWORKS customer creating its own physical product. Dassault Systèmes reviews each application and can consider funding, revenue, business age, product type, region, and existing customer status.
Your own physical product
The program is intended for companies designing and developing a physical product that they own.
Below published thresholds
Official sources use revenue and funding thresholds below $1 million. The application review is the final determination.
New to SOLIDWORKS
Current SOLIDWORKS customers generally do not qualify for the startup offer.
Not a service provider
Consultancies, design firms, contractors, and service businesses are excluded in current official guidance.
Early-stage company
Company-age guidance is not aligned across current official pages, so submit the application for a definitive review.
Case-by-case approval
Meeting the visible criteria does not guarantee acceptance or a particular product package.
!
Important age-threshold discrepancy: the official main program and application pages currently say up to five years in business. A program eligibility page updated June 9, 2026 says under three years. We recommend applying for a definitive review instead of self-rejecting based on company age.
How to apply
Three steps from application to access
Describe the product and workflow clearly, provide the requested company details, and let the program team complete its review.
Submit the application
Share your company details, product, funding and revenue stage, and the tools the team needs.
Complete program review
The first review can take up to 48 hours. Applications that need deeper verification can take longer.
Review the approved package
If accepted, confirm the products, term, regional conditions, onboarding path, and future renewal pricing.
What may be included
A product-development stack, not just a CAD seat
Approved packages can combine desktop and cloud-connected roles. Availability depends on the application, region, and program decision, so treat these as capability categories rather than a guaranteed product list.
3D CAD and assemblies
Part, assembly, drawing, and concept-development workflows.
Simulation and motion
Engineering checks that help compare designs before physical testing.
Cloud data and review
Revision-aware product data, access, sharing, and team collaboration.
Visualization and documentation
Product imagery, technical communication, and manufacturing-ready information.
FAQs
SOLIDWORKS for Startups questions
Is SOLIDWORKS free for eligible startups?
The published SOLIDWORKS offer provides eligible startups with no-cost access in year one, followed by 70% off in year two and 50% off in year three. Availability, products, and offer length can vary by region and approval.
Who is eligible for SOLIDWORKS for Startups?
Applicants generally need to be developing their own physical product, remain below the stated revenue and funding thresholds, be new SOLIDWORKS customers, and not operate as a service provider, consultant, design firm, or contract manufacturer. Dassault Systèmes makes the final eligibility decision.
Why do official SOLIDWORKS pages show different company-age limits?
The main program and application pages currently state up to five years in business, while a program eligibility page updated June 9, 2026 states under three years. Because the official sources are not aligned, applicants should submit the application for a definitive review instead of relying on the age threshold alone.
Can a startup choose Desktop SOLIDWORKS or 3DEXPERIENCE?
The available product mix depends on eligibility, region, and program approval. The official FAQ describes 3DEXPERIENCE roles as the standard offer and Desktop Term licenses as available by exception, so applicants should explain their workflow requirements in the application.
How long does the application take?
The official FAQ says the first review can take up to 48 hours. Applications that need deeper verification can take up to 30 days, although many are completed within 24 to 48 hours.
What happens after year one?
The published path is 70% off in year two and 50% off in year three. Regional availability and the exact offer may vary, so use the approval terms and renewal notice as the controlling documents for your startup.
Ready to build the product, not a pile of disconnected files?
Submit your startup application when the company details, physical-product description, current stage, and workflow requirements are ready.
Apply Now