MassRobotics' startups get free access to Onshape CAD platform

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Hirebotics designed its BotX Welder system in Onshape. | Credit: PTC

PTC is providing free licenses of Onshape, its cloud-native product development platform, to MassRobotics and its resident startups. With Onshape, MassRobotics’ startup community can leverage the latest in cloud product design software for robotics development.

Robotic startups can use Onshape to accelerate their design processes and increase speed to market. With Onshape, multiple MassRobotics engineers can work on their complex assemblies at the same time, allowing an entire team to instantly see edits or changes, no matter who makes them or when.

“Our team at MassRobotics is very excited to collaborate with PTC and the amazing Onshape team to utilize the innovative capabilities of Onshape to better scale the next generation of successful robotics startups,” said Fady Saad, co-founder & VP of strategic partnerships at MassRobotics.

The robotics market continues to grow rapidly, with spending predicted to exceed $240 billion by 2023, according to IDC. Onshape is used for design and development by commercial robotics companies, reinforcing the value that it can bring to the MassRobotics community.

“The robotics industry is becoming more vital than ever as companies look to automation and faster processes to address supply chain disruptions and labor shortages,” said David Katzman, SVP of general operations at Onshape. “We are thrilled to provide Onshape to the innovative startups at MassRobotics as they help revolutionize the market.”

PTC acquired Onshape in 2019 for $470 million. Onshape was founded in 2012 in part by Jon Hirschtick, John McEleney, and Dave Corcoran, inventors and former executives of SolidWorks. Onshape’s software is delivered in a SaaS model, making it accessible from any connected location or device, eliminating the need for costly hardware and administrative staff to maintain.

Hirschtick appeared on The Robot Report Podcast in October 2021. Hirschtick discussed his days at MIT where he was involved with the MIT Blackjack Team and what it takes to build a software company (twice) and sell the businesses. You can listen to that interview below.