Cloud CAD Access for Startups Through Accelerators and Incubators Worldwide

The path from concept to market is one of the most crucial – and challenging – phases for any startup. Success for hardware founders depends on rapid iteration, seamless collaboration, and efficient design processes.

Onshape’s Startup Program offers early-stage companies the tools and support they need to accelerate innovation. Eligible startups receive free access to Onshape Professional licenses for at least a year, along with expert training and resources. Additionally, we collaborate with leading incubators and accelerators around the world to ensure that startups have access to the tools they need to innovate and scale faster.

Why Cloud-Native CAD Matters for Startups

Startups need agility, speed, and cost-effective solutions to bring their products to market. Legacy CAD systems come with limitations such as expensive licensing, IT overhead, and difficulties in collaboration.

Onshape eliminates these barriers by offering:

• Real-time collaboration: Teams can design together simultaneously, regardless of location.
• No downloads or installations: Access CAD on any device, anywhere in the world.
• Built-in version control & PDM: Never worry about file management again.
• Seamless integration: Work alongside simulation, rendering, and manufacturing tools in one unified platform.

Because of these benefits, Onshape has become a key resource for incubators and accelerators supporting early-stage hardware startups. By offering our industry-leading design platform as a perk, VC-backed programs can equip their startups with cutting-edge technology – helping them innovate faster, streamline development, and scale efficiently without the constraints of legacy CAD systems.

Partnering with Global Leaders in Startup Support

Onshape collaborates with top incubators and accelerators worldwide because we share a common goal: empowering startups with the tools they need to succeed.

By offering Onshape’s industry-leading cloud-native CAD system as a perk, these organizations provide their founders with world-class design tools, providing an edge in product development and reducing time-to-market.

But our support goes beyond just software access – we actively visit these spaces to deliver personalized demos, host engaging happy hours, and lead interactive lunch and learns tailored to each community’s needs. We also love collaborating to provide additional support, whether through webinars, virtual training, or hands-on workshops.

Here are six of our key partners and how they’re making an impact:

1. mHUB (United States)

mHUB is a leading hardtech innovation center based in Chicago, dedicated to supporting early-stage product developers in manufacturing and hardware. Startups at mHUB gain access to state-of-the-art prototyping labs, mentorship, and industry connections. Through our partnership, Onshape provides these teams with powerful, cloud-native CAD tools to streamline design iterations and collaborate seamlessly across teams.

2. ventureLAB (Canada)

ventureLAB, located in Ontario, is a premier hub for hardware and semiconductor startups. Focused on building globally competitive tech companies, ventureLAB supports early-stage ventures with mentorship, funding, and technical expertise. By offering Onshape as a perk to their community, their startups can leverage cloud-based collaborative design tools to accelerate their product development cycles.

3. Newlab (United States)

Newlab, headquartered in Brooklyn with a second location in Detroit, is an innovation ecosystem that supports startups tackling the world’s biggest challenges, particularly in mobility, energy, and materials. Many of Newlab's founders and engineers use Onshape to develop their prototypes more efficiently, ensuring their designs are optimized for manufacturing and real-world application from day one.

4. Carbon13 (United Kingdom)

Carbon13 is a Cambridge-based accelerator dedicated to startups combating the climate crisis. Their programs help founders build scalable businesses with a focus on carbon reduction and sustainability. Onshape offers these startups powerful design and engineering tools to iterate on solutions for clean energy, carbon capture, and sustainable materials.

5. Emera ideaHUB (Canada)

Based in Halifax, Emera ideaHUB provides deep-tech entrepreneurs with access to prototyping facilities, expert mentorship, and funding opportunities. Onshape's cloud-native platform allows startups to design, test, and refine their ideas without worrying about software installations or version control issues.

6. SOSV (Global)

As one of the world’s leading venture capital firms, SOSV backs deep-tech and life science startups through its accelerators like HAX, IndieBio, and Orbit Startups. These programs provide funding, lab access, and industry mentorship. Onshape's inclusion in these programs ensures that startups can collaborate globally in real-time, from anywhere in the world.

Join the Onshape Startup Program

Our Startup Program provides:

• Free access to 5 Onshape Professional licenses for at least a year
• Priority application status for startups in partner incubators/accelerators
• Exclusive training, resources, and support
  
  

If you’re part of an incubator and want to offer exclusive benefits to your startup community, we’d love to collaborate! Email us at marketing-partnerships@ptc.com.

Accelerate your product development with Onshape!