At the Clean Tech Open symposium on renewable energy July 21st, Autodesk announced its Clean Tech Partner Program. A new initiative that awards up to 100 companies each nearly $150,000 dollars worth of Autodesk design support and software. The program is aiming at companies advancing renewable energy, but will include anyone willing to incorporate sustainable design in their products.
“We are looking for some of the best and most exciting ideas that we think can be transformative in the marketplace,” Director of Sustainability for Autodesk, Lynelle Cameron explained. “These are the [companies] that we want to partner with and learn from in future releases of our products.”
Autodesk is the leader in 2D and 3D software design in the fields of engineering and entertainment. If you have seen any of the latest digitally animated films – Transformers 2 – Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince – Terminator Salvation – Monsters vs. Aliens – or Star Trek, then you have seen the result of Autodesk software at work. The recent completion of the California Academy of Sciences building, (above) designed by architect Renzo Piano with Autodesk software is a masterpiece in sustainable architecture. Autodesk started out in the 1980’s with AutoCAD, and today designs everything from automobiles to furniture with their extensive line of 80 design software products.
The Clean Tech Partner Program is designed for the grant recipients to partner with Autodesk, streamlining their project. It will also return feedback to Autodesk, resulting in more efficient partnerships. It is easy to see why any company would aspire for the honor of one of these generous software grants. Having Autodesk as a partner for your new clean tech company would be a definite asset, an asset that we all benefit from.
Recipients of the Autodesk Clean Tech Software Grant will receive the following products:
• AutoCAD® Inventor® Professional
• Autodesk® Showcase® Professional
• Autodesk® Vault Manufacturing
• Autodesk® Navisworks® Manage
• Autodesk® Revit® Architecture
• Autodesk® Alias® Design
“These companies are some of the leading thinkers in sustainability and sustainable design,” Cameron said, “and we want to be partnering with these innovators so we can continue to improve our software to meet their future needs.”
If you plan to apply to the Clean Tech Partner Program, there is an application available on autodesk’s website. They will be awarded individually, and will be dispersed through Jan 31, 2010.
Autodesk
- Organization Type: Profit
- Website: usa.autodesk.com
- Founder(s): John Walker
- Founded: 1982
- Location:San Rafael, CA
- See complete company list here
Sources: usa.autodesk.com; calacademy.org; greenbiz.com

















