This initiative extends beyond just offering software solutions; it provides a collaborative environment where innovative ideas can flourish, leveraging Dassault Systèmes' suite of 3D design, engineering, and simulation software products within the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform.

The 3DEXPERIENCE Platform is a comprehensive software solution designed to facilitate product design, analysis, simulation, and management in a collaborative virtual environment. It integrates various software applications and technologies to create a unified, Cloud-based ecosystem that supports the entire product lifecycle, from conceptual design to manufacturing and beyond.

It enables businesses and individuals across a wide range of industries – such as aerospace, automotive, construction, and life sciences – to collaborate on projects in real-time, regardless of geographical location. It combines the capabilities of CAD (Computer-Aided Design), CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing), CAE (Computer-Aided Engineering), and PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) tools into a single, integrated platform.

“We are building different worlds so that you can innovate, you can design, you can engineer, and you can experience,” said Frederic Vacher, Director of 3DEXPERIENCE Labs at Dassault Systèmes.

Key aspects of the 3DEXPERIENCE Lab include:

• Support for disruptive innovations: the lab targets projects that have the potential to bring about significant societal or industrial transformation, focusing on areas such as health, city planning, lifestyle, the Internet of Things (IoT), and sustainable innovations

• Mentorship and expertise: participants in the 3DEXPERIENCE Lab gain access to a wealth of knowledge and guidance from Dassault Systèmes’ experts across various fields, helping them to refine and advance their projects

• Advanced software tools: startups and innovators receive access to Dassault Systèmes' comprehensive software tools for designing, simulating, and testing their products in a virtual environment, which helps accelerate the development process and reduce the time to market

• Collaborative workspace: the lab fosters a community-driven approach, encouraging collaboration among startups, experts, and mentors. This collaborative ecosystem is designed to spark innovation and facilitate the exchange of ideas and best practices

• Global network: being part of the 3DEXPERIENCE Lab opens doors to a global network of innovators, industry leaders, and potential investors, providing startups with visibility and opportunities for partnerships

• Focus on sustainability and social impact: projects with a strong emphasis on sustainability, social impact, and contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are particularly encouraged, aligning with the lab's mission to drive positive change through innovation

Applying for the 3DEXPERIENCE platform for startups programme

The 3DEXPERIENCE for Startups programme offers a cost-effective, multi-year package tailored for early-stage hardware startups, granting comprehensive access to a suite of product development tools including CATIA, SIMULIA, DELMIA, and ENOVIA at a reduced cost. This allows startups to concentrate on their projects without the financial strain.

Many startups opt for the platform on the Cloud. This eliminates the need for intricate or expensive IT setups, enabling startups to begin with the essentials and expand their toolset as their business grows, with plans starting at €474 annually per user.

Beyond product support, startups stand to gain from:

• Substantial discounts of up to 90% on advanced solutions during the first year

• E-learning modules designed to enhance technical proficiency

• Access to communities for bespoke expert guidance

• Opportunities for co-marketing collaborations

One of the biggest benefits of joining the programme is the success you gain afterwards, notes Vacher. “We are very selective, we select about 10 projects a year, so we are challenging those projects before they pitch … most of the startups who have left our lab are still active.”

Some standout projects

Living Heart

The world's first working model of a human heart

The Living Heart Project aims to advance the development of safe and effective cardiovascular products and treatments by uniting engineering, scientific, and biomedical expertise to translate cutting-edge science into improved patient care. Through simulation and the creation of validated models, the project aims to provide personalised, interventional patient care.

The Living Heart Model on the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform is now being used worldwide to create new ways to design and test new devices and drug treatments. Use of virtual patients will also help to increase industry innovation and pave the way for faster approvals and quicker patient access to safe, effective new treatments.

XSun

Solar powered UAV making continuous flight possible

XSun is a startup that designs new types of solar UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) for long range which opens doors to continuous flights.

SolarXOne is the first energy-independent drone model that can make its own decisions by collecting data with a network of sensors that could understand and optimise human activity for precision agriculture, the maritime world, ground monitoring, etc.

Benjamin David, CEO and Co-Founder explains how it takes advantage of the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform: “[The] 3DEXPERIENCE [Platform] enables us to design and consolidate all our data on a single platform, to keep a unique, clear, and clean configuration of all the subsystems.”

This article originally appeared in the March/April issue of Startups Magazine. Click here to subscribe