What Graebert does

Graebert GmbH, founded in 1977 in Berlin, Germany, is a privately held developer of DWG-based CAD software and the creator of the ARES product family. The company's core offering is the ARES Trinity ecosystem, a unified subscription that combines ARES Commander (desktop CAD for Windows, macOS, and Linux), ARES Kudo (browser-based cloud CAD), and ARES Touch (mobile CAD for Android and iOS), with shared workflows and a consistent UI across all platforms. The proprietary ARES CAD engine supports native DWG file format compatibility, 2D and 3D drafting, BIM-to-DWG automation (Revit and IFC), AI-assisted command suggestions, and cloud-based batch processing of CAD and BIM tasks. The technology is also licensed to third-party software vendors, with Dassault Systèmes (DraftSight) and Corel Corporation (Onshape, CorelCAD) as named OEM partners, embedding Graebert's engine in distributed CAD products.

Graebert monetizes primarily through annual subscriptions across multiple tiers (ARES Standard, Commander, Trinity, plus vertical add-ons such as Mechanical, Electrical, Map, and the recent ARES Neo for automated BIM documentation), perpetual license options, and OEM royalty revenue. The go-to-market motion combines direct website sales with self-serve 30-day trials, enterprise field sales for large deployments, OEM licensing, app store distribution for mobile, and channel partners. The company maintains regional offices in Germany, India (Noida), Japan (Tokyo), Korea, and Brazil, with localized websites in 8+ languages.

The customer base is concentrated in architecture, engineering, and construction, with notable enterprise accounts including Takenaka Corporation (8,600+ ARES Commander installations as of 2025), TAISEI Corporation (5,000+ users), TOBISHIMA Corporation (1,600 users), TATA International, AAI (Airports Authority of India), TSTS (railway signalling), Metrica, and Kichler Lighting. Graebert markets itself as the "N°1 Alternative to AutoCAD" with claims of being the second-largest installed base in the CAD industry globally, and is founder-led with Wilfried Graebert as CEO since 1977 and Robert Graebert Ph.D. as CTO. The company is bootstrapped with no disclosed external funding.

Name

Graebert

Legal name

Gräbert GmbH

Website

https://graebert.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Graebert is a German-founded CAD software company that develops the ARES Trinity ecosystem — desktop, cloud, and mobile DWG-compatible CAD tools — plus OEM CAD technology licensed to Dassault Systèmes and Corel, primarily serving architecture, engineering, and construction customers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. ARES Commander (Desktop CAD): Professional DWG-based CAD software for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Sold as annual subscription or perpetual license with optional Trinity collaboration features. Pricing varies with or without Trinity features.
2. ARES Kudo (Cloud CAD): Browser-based online CAD software for DWG editing. Available as standalone subscription or bundled with ARES Commander and ARES Touch in ARES Trinity license.
3. ARES Touch (Mobile CAD): Mobile CAD application for Android and iOS. Available through app stores or included with ARES Trinity subscription.
4. ARES Vertical Solutions: Industry-specific CAD products including ARES Mechanical (2D mechanical), ARES Map (GIS), and ARES Electrical (electrical schematics). Sold as add-ons or standalone licenses.
5. ARES Trinity Subscription: All-inclusive suite bundling ARES Commander, ARES Kudo, and ARES Touch with Trinity collaboration features for cross-platform CAD workflows.
6. OEM CAD Platform Licensing: Licensing of ARES CAD technology engine to third-party software developers including Dassault Systèmes (DraftSight), Corel Corporation (Onshape, CorelCAD), and others. Revenue generated through technology licensing and OEM agreements.
7. CAD Services (Consulting & Development): Professional services including CAD consulting for DWG implementations and custom CAD feature development for the ARES platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Graebert develops and sells the ARES family of DWG-based CAD software products, including ARES Commander (desktop), ARES Kudo (cloud), and ARES Touch (mobile) — bundled as the ARES Trinity — along with vertical solutions such as ARES Mechanical, ARES Electrical, ARES Map, and ARES Neo. The company also licenses its ARES CAD engine to OEMs (Dassault Systèmes DraftSight, CorelCAD, Onshape) and provides CAD consulting, custom development, and surveying services (Graebert iSurvey, Eagle Eye Technologies).

Product overview

Graebert offers the ARES Trinity of CAD Software—a unified ecosystem combining three core products: ARES Commander (desktop CAD for Windows, macOS, and Linux), ARES Kudo (browser-based cloud CAD), and ARES Touch (mobile CAD for Android and iOS), all bundled under a single subscription. This core platform is complemented by industry-specific vertical solutions including ARES Mechanical (2D mechanical CAD), ARES Electrical (electrical schematics automation), ARES Map (GIS/CAD integration with ArcGIS), and ARES Neo (cloud-based BIM documentation automation). Additional offerings include SiteMaster for building surveying, Graebert iSurvey for building measurement services, Graebert Academy for free online training, and the ARES CAD Platform for OEM/developer use—powering third-party CAD products such as DraftSight, Onshape, and CorelCAD.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ARES Commander: Professional DWG-based CAD software for Windows, Mac & Linux with 2D & 3D tools, AI features, and cloud collaboration
• ARES Touch
• ARES Kudo
• ARES Mechanical
• ARES Map
• ARES Electrical
• ARES Neo
• SiteMaster
• Graebert Academy
• ARES Trinity
• Graebert iSurvey
• Eagle Eye Technologies

Products and services

• ARES Commander Professional DWG-based 2D/3D CAD software for Windows, macOS, and Linux, positioned as the No. 1 alternative to AutoCAD for architects, engineers, and construction professionals.
• ARES Kudo Browser-based online CAD software for DWG editing, running in Internet browsers with 300+ 2D CAD features, AI assistant, collaboration tools, and cloud-based drawings automation.
• ARES Touch Mobile CAD application for viewing, commenting, and modifying DWG files on Android and iOS smartphones and tablets, enabling CAD workflows on the go.
• ARES Trinity Unified CAD ecosystem that bundles ARES Commander (desktop), ARES Touch (mobile), and ARES Kudo (cloud) into an all-inclusive suite under a single subscription, enabling cross-platform CAD workflows.
• ARES Mechanical 2D Mechanical CAD solution based on the ARES Commander engine, designed for mechanical engineering design and drafting in DWG format.
• ARES Electrical Modern ECAD software for automating 2D electrical schematics in DWG, including wiring diagrams, control panel design, automation, and BOM (Bill of Materials) management.
• ARES Map CAD for GIS and GIS for CAD, providing geospatial data integration in sync with ArcGIS for mapping and infrastructure projects.
• ARES Neo Cloud-based automated BIM documentation at scale, enabling automated production of DWG drawings from Revit or IFC data for large construction projects.
• ARES Standard Cost-effective entry-level 2D CAD solution for Windows users requiring basic DWG editing capabilities.
• SiteMaster Mobile CAD application for building surveying that maximizes efficiency and minimizes time spent on-site measuring buildings.
• Graebert iSurvey Building surveys service for capturing as-built conditions of buildings using mobile CAD technology, operated as a Graebert subsidiary.
• Eagle Eye Technologies High-resolution street surveys service for infrastructure and road mapping projects, operated as a wholly-owned Graebert subsidiary.
• ARES CAD Platform OEM CAD engine and development platform enabling software developers to create standalone CAD applications or plugins, licensed to third-party software vendors including Dassault Systèmes (DraftSight), Corel Corporation (Onshape, CorelCAD), and others.
• Graebert Academy Free online training and certification platform for ARES CAD software products covering desktop, cloud, and mobile CAD workflows.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10% faster productivity compared to previous CAD solution
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability6 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.

• Dassault Systèmes (DraftSight)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerGraebert's ARES CAD engine powers DraftSight, the professional 2D/3D CAD software from Dassault Systèmes. This is a long-standing OEM licensing relationship where Graebert provides the underlying DWG CAD technology.
• Corel Corporation (Onshape, CorelCAD)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerGraebert's ARES CAD technology powers both Onshape (cloud CAD) and CorelCAD (desktop CAD) from Corel Corporation. The partnership enables Corel's entry into DWG-compatible CAD markets.
• AWS (Amazon Web Services)strategicTechnology or IntegrationAWS is listed as a technology partner providing cloud infrastructure for Graebert's online CAD services including ARES Kudo and cloud-based collaboration features.
• buildingSMARTstrategicTechnology or IntegrationbuildingSMART is a technology partner supporting open BIM standards including IFC (Industry Foundation Classes). Graebert's ARES products support IFC file format for BIM interoperability.
• MicrosoftstrategicTechnology or IntegrationMicrosoft Partner relationship indicating integration with Microsoft platforms and technologies. ARES Commander supports Windows natively and the company leverages Microsoft cloud services.
• IntelliCAD Technology ConsortiumstrategicTechnology or IntegrationGraebert participates in the IntelliCAD Technology Consortium, a cooperative development organization for CAD technology. Cedric Desbordes served as Chairman of the Consortium.
• World Traditional Karate-Do Federation (WTKF)minorOthersGraebert served as Technology Partner for the World Traditional Karate-Do Federation, using ARES Trinity CAD software to make design decisions for tournament events.
• ArchitoshminorGTM or Marketing PartnerArchitecture and CAD technology publication that provides expert reviews and deep-dive video content about ARES products. Anthony Frausto-Robledo serves as editor and featured speaker at Graebert neXt events.
• aec+techminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAEC technology platform founded by Niknaz Aftahi that features ARES CAD software and provides expert reviews. Niknaz Aftahi serves as a speaker at Graebert neXt events.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Autodesk: Maker of AutoCAD, the dominant DWG-based CAD platform that Graebert directly positions ARES Commander against as the 'N°1 Alternative to AutoCAD.' Competes head-to-head in 2D/3D drafting for AEC and manufacturing.
• Bricsys (Hexagon): Developer of BricsCAD, a DWG-based CAD alternative for Windows, Mac, and Linux with mechanical and BIM variants. Closest direct head-to-head competitor to ARES Commander in the third-party DWG CAD market.
• ZWSOFT: Chinese vendor of ZWCAD, another DWG-compatible CAD platform targeting cost-conscious AEC and manufacturing users. Competes with Graebert in APAC and emerging markets on price-performance.

Others

• Dassault Systèmes: OEM customer and partner via DraftSight (powered by Graebert's ARES engine). Also competes broadly through SolidWorks and the 3DEXPERIENCE platform in 3D CAD/PLM.
• PTC: OEM customer via Onshape (cloud CAD powered by ARES). Competes broadly in PLM and CAD with Creo and cloud-native Onshape in segments adjacent to ARES Kudo.
• Corel Corporation: OEM customer via CorelCAD (desktop CAD powered by ARES). Partner-channel competitor in low-cost DWG CAD and broader graphics/design software market.
• Open Design Alliance: Consortium providing DWG-compatible libraries and Teigha CAD engine used by multiple CAD vendors. Relevant ecosystem counterpart to Graebert's IntelliCAD consortium participation and OEM CAD platform.

Emerging players

• Vectorworks: Developer of Vectorworks Designer and Landmark, CAD/BIM tools used by architects, landscape, and interior designers. Competes with ARES in the architectural CAD segment, particularly among design-led firms.

Broad incumbents

• Siemens Digital Industries Software: Major incumbent in CAD/PLM/CAE through Solid Edge, NX, and Teamcenter. Competes with ARES Mechanical in mechanical engineering and with broader CAD platforms in manufacturing.
• Trimble: Operates SketchUp and Trimble Connect, with strong AEC positioning. Competes with ARES in architectural modeling and BIM-to-CAD workflows at the construction lifecycle layer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCv8XghGvO7U8A9R9t1L8_QA
• Xx.com/graebertcad

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Graebert