Autodesk Debuts Clean Tech Partner Program

We understand the significant role design plays in creating a sustainable future," said Lynelle Cameron, director of sustainability for Autodesk. "The Autodesk Clean Tech Partner Program is designed to accelerate innovation and leadership in the clean tech market. As part of our ongoing commitment to global sustainability, Autodesk will be working together with emerging clean tech companies to help bring their ideas to market faster and more cost-effectively."

Recipients of the Autodesk Clean Tech software grant will receive a collection of Autodesk's top applications:

• Autodesk Inventor Professional
• Autodesk Showcase Professional
• Autodesk Vault Manufacturing
• Autodesk Navisworks Manage
• Autodesk Revit Architecture
• Autodesk Alias Design

Each grant has a retail value of up to U.S. $150,000, and will include up to five full commercial licenses of each application.

"Autodesk and the Clean Tech Open are committed to enabling green entrepreneurs expand upon their innovative ideas," said Michael Santullo, co-founder of the CTO. "Many participants in the Clean Tech Open are first-time entrepreneurs - they have a great idea, but could really use some assistance. This is where Clean Tech Open steps in: we connect entrepreneurs with the expertise, talent and funding necessary to create successful, sustainable businesses."

As a precursor to the Clean Tech Partner Program, 13 startups have already received similar packages from Autodesk. Syncromatics was rewarded for its use of sustainable green technology in providing innovative, customized solutions for transit agencies nationwide. Autodesk also named the company Inventor of the Month in June. "Autodesk provided critical design and engineering tools that enable our company to rapidly develop quality products. These tools are the cornerstone of our success and have fueled our company's growth and profitability," said Stephen Salazar, chief operating officer of Syncromatics.

Serious Materials, a company that develops and manufactures award-winning, advanced green building materials designed to save energy and money, also benefitted from an Autodesk seed grant. "Autodesk products allow us to digitally model our prototypes before they're built," said Kevin Surace, Serious Materials chief executive officer. "This has shortened our development and manufacturing cycles and allowed us to bring our products to market much faster."

As a Gold Sponsor of the Clean Tech Open, Autodesk has already teamed with the CTO to help numerous entrepreneurs launch companies. The collaboration is an innovation catalyst, helping great ideas become viable clean tech businesses. In partnering with these emerging clean tech companies, Autodesk aims to help them make smarter business decisions, save money and collaborate more effectively.

Autodesk has set a goal of awarding clean tech software grants to 100 companies by the end of January 2010. Full program information, including application process details for the Clean Tech software grant, is available at www.autodesk.com/cleantech.