Autodesk Foundation

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Climate Objective
Cross-cutting
Sectors and Themes
Energy
Health
Industry and Infrastructure
Jobs
Type of Support Provider
Philanthropic
Type of Recipient
Non-profit or civil society organization
Community-level organization
Co-financing Requirement
No
Contact Information

https://www.autodesk.org/

Region
East Asia and Pacific
North America
South Asia
Official Website
https://www.autodesk.org/
Catalytic funding for design and engineering solutions. Autodesk Foundation provides nonprofits and startups with catalytic capital to scale solutions that transform Autodesk industries to be more sustainable, equitable, and resilient. The organization supports innovators to design and make a better world for all. The Autodesk Foundation supports innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing social and environmental challenges. Our funding ranges from $100,000 to $1,000,000, with most commitments falling between $250,000 and $500,000. For nonprofits, the company generally provides unrestricted grants and evaluates renewals at the end of each funding period. For startups, they initially invest at the seed or Series A. Autodesk Foundation participates in follow-on rounds dependent on the progress of the company. They work closely with each organization to leverage additional Autodesk technology and expertise to accelerate and scale their work.
Support Provider

Autodesk Foundation

Purpose of Support
Prepare Proposals, Projects and Pipelines
Funding Type
Grants
Other
Monitoring and Reporting Procedures

If at the end of the due diligence process the Foundation approves funding for the organization, they collaborate to outline organizational milestones, engagement goals, and impact metrics for the funding period. Once the resulting agreement is complete, funding is disbursed as soon as possible, typically within three weeks (grants) or based on the investment round timeline (investments).

Organizational and Decision Making Structure

The foundation evaluates funding opportunities based on the impact potential of the solution, the viability of the organization, model and market, and the value of the Autodesk Foundation’s additionality.

Funding ranges from $100,000 to $1,000,000, with most commitments falling between $250,000 and $500,000. For nonprofits, the foundation generally provide unrestricted grants and evaluate renewals at the end of each funding period. For startups, they initially invest at the seed or Series A. They participate in follow-on rounds dependent on the progress of the company. The foundation works closely with each organization to leverage additional Autodesk technology and expertise to accelerate and scale their work.
Eligibility Criteria
Health & Resilience:
Autodesk Foundation invests in innovators scaling technology‑based solutions that improve resilience in low-resource communities most vulnerable to climate change. They focus their investments on the built environment, agriculture, energy access, and water and sanitation, where design and engineering-based solutions are critical levers for building community well-being and economic prosperity.
 
Energy & Materials
They invest in innovators scaling early‑stage technologies that have the potential to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate the transition to a decarbonized economy. Autodesk Foundation focuses investments on sectors where Autodesk’s design and engineering expertise is particularly beneficial, such as renewable energy, electrification of transportation, building and industrial energy efficiency, materials innovation, and carbon capture, utilization, and storage.
Eligible Countries

Asia, US focus

Information on how to
Complete the Discovery Form

Apply at: https://autodesk.fluxx.io/apply/investment

The first step to be considered for Autodesk Foundation funding is to complete the Discovery Form. The foundation reviews every Discovery Form submission and aims to get back to organizations within three weeks. They encourage organizations to first explore the website to learn more about the foundation’s funding approach, criteria, and the organizations currently in their portfolio before completing the form. The form takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete. 

Understand the introductory interview process

The foundation schedules introductory calls with those organizations that work in their impact opportunity areas and meet the general selection criteria. In this step, they focus on getting to know the innovator, the solution they're developing, and where the Autodesk Foundation could add value. The foundation knows that an innovator's time is precious, and they strive to determine potential fit for their portfolio within a few conversations. 

Submit the Application for Funding

Each year the foundation invites a small selection of organizations to fill out the Application for Funding. Formal due diligence begins when the innovator submits their application and typically takes 1 to 2 months. In addition to a detailed review of the application materials, they speak with references and have several deep-dive conversations with the innovator to discuss outstanding questions and to explore opportunities for Autodesk Foundation additionality.