SOLIDWORKS
SOLIDWORKS for Startups
Year 1 free, then 70% off year 2 and 50% off year 3
Manually reviewed by our team
SOLIDWORKS for Startups gives early- to mid-stage hardware startups free SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD in year 1, 70% off in year 2, and 50% off in year 3, plus training and co-marketing resources.
At a glance
Eligibility, benefit timing, and terms
Eligibility
- Bootstrapped, Pre-seed, Seed, Series A
- Bootstrapped founders eligible
- Registered legal entity required
- Founded within 5 years
+1 more eligibility notes below
Benefit and tiers
- Year 1100% off
- Year 270% off
- Year 350% off
+1 additional tiers on this page
When you get it
SOLIDWORKS says applicants receive a confirmation email and should allow a few business days for review.
Typical review: a few business days
Duration and limits
36 months
Published pricing is year 1 free, year 2 70% off, year 3 50% off.
- • Physical-product hardware startups only
- • Not open to current SOLIDWORKS customers, service providers, consultants, or contract manufacturers
Last terms check: 2026-08-15
Official termsApproved hardware startups get free SOLIDWORKS in year 1, 70% off in year 2, and 50% off in year 3, plus training and co-marketing.
Program tiers
| Tier | Value | Access | When / duration | Notes and limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 100% off | self serve | Timing not published 12 months | Free SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD and selected resources for approved hardware startups |
| Year 2 | 70% off | self serve | Timing not published 12 months | 70% off software in year 2 |
| Year 3 | 50% off | self serve | Timing not published 12 months | 50% off software in year 3 |
| Scale-Up | See notes | unknown | Timing not published | If revenue or funding is between $1M and $5M, SOLIDWORKS may treat the company as a Scale-Up and offer 70% off instead of the free year |
Eligibility
- Bootstrapped, Pre-seed, Seed, Series A
- Bootstrapped founders eligible
- Registered legal entity required
- Founded within 5 years
- Separate legal entities may apply independently where terms allow
How to apply
- 1Confirm the company is building a physical product, is under 5 years old, and has under $1M revenue
- 2Submit the SOLIDWORKS for Startups application
- 3Wait for the confirmation email and review decision
Typical review time: a few business days
Important notes
- For hardware startups designing and building a physical product to sell. Current SOLIDWORKS customers, service providers, engineering/design firms, consultants, and contract manufacturers are excluded.
- Eligibility: less than $1M revenue and not more than 5 years old. Funding status and product nature are reviewed.
- If revenue or funding is $1M–$5M, SOLIDWORKS may classify the company as a Scale-Up and offer 70% off instead of year-1 free access.
- SOLIDWORKS can deny an application or withdraw access with prior notice.