Case Study: MassChallenge achieves accelerated start-up product development with SolidWorks

Accelerating start-up development of innovative products using SolidWorks

MassChallenge is the independent, not‑for‑profit accelerator that runs a four‑month, $1M competition to speed early‑stage start‑ups toward market. To help founders building physical products overcome limited resources and accelerate development, MassChallenge provided access to SolidWorks Premium design and analysis software so teams could use industry‑grade 3D modeling, simulation, and communication tools.

MassChallenge implemented SolidWorks Premium across its accelerator, enabling faster prototyping, simulation‑driven design iteration, and smoother handoffs to manufacturers. As a result, participating teams have compressed development cycles and commercialized products more quickly — the program’s 361 start‑ups from 2010–2012 raised over $360M and created 2,910 jobs as of Oct 1, 2012 — and individual successes include GRIT moving the Leveraged Freedom Chair into a 300‑unit manufacturing run, Strong Arm securing three patents and preparing for launch, and HelmutHub increasing machine capacity and cutting development time substantially using SolidWorks.

MassChallenge

Mario Bollini

Chief Technology Officer