As even the simplest products gain complexity, engineering simulation becomes more pervasive across the product lifecycle and into operations. While established companies use simulation, startups often forgo it because of limited funding, forcing them to rely on costly and time-intensive physical prototypes. Launched less than a year ago, the ANSYS Startup Programme gives low-cost access to ANSYS’ leading suite of engineering simulation products to startups around the world. The program has been an early success with startups, with hundreds joining since its inception.
“Pervasive Engineering Simulation can play an unparalleled role in product development for companies large and small, regardless of industry,” said Paul Lethbridge senior manager of the ANSYS Startup Program. “The ANSYS Startup Program lowers the barrier for young companies, empowering them with technology to compete against more established businesses. The program has made substantial progress during its first year, and we encourage more startups to join and take advantage of the power of engineering simulation from ANSYS.”
ANSYS simulation technology enables rapid iteration and minimizes design flaws, time and costs associated with physical prototypes — allowing startups to go to market faster, without exhausting their funding.
“Using the ANSYS solutions, we drastically reduced the design time and costs associated with our aerodynamic and structural components,” said Martin Zahariev Beng, lead aerodynamics engineer, DRONAMICS Ltd. A developer of cargo unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), DRONAMICS Ltd. used ANSYS tools to design, analyse and optimize the aerodynamics of its UAVs and to improve the vehicles’ fuel efficiency. “With ANSYS technology, we reduced our design time by almost half and our development costs by an even larger margin. Every startup should aim for these kinds of results.”
“Discovery Robotics is a budget-constrained startup company developing complex systems and the ANSYS Startup Program has been a true enabler for getting to a manufacturable product in minimal time,” said Larry J. Williams, vice president and chief technology officer, Discovery Robotics. Discovery Robotics leveraged ANSYS simulation technology to create an autonomous floor cleaning robot that makes commercial cleaning faster, safer and more affordable.
ANSYS also partners with startup incubators and accelerators to provide their portfolio startups with access to the industry-leading suite of ANSYS simulation tools. ANSYS and the GE Africa Innovation Centre recently launched an open innovation challenge that provides emerging African manufacturing companies the opportunity to access ANSYS’ multiphysics simulation portfolio.
“The companies participating in our innovation challenge have the power to create a better future for Africa,” said Günter Halfar, Innovation Centre leader, GE Africa. Through the program, African startup companies use ANSYS software to design products that can be incorporated into the industries GE operates in Africa. “Leveraging ANSYS’ industry-leading tools, the startups will bring their products to market faster and more cost effectively.”