What 3DEXPERIENCE Lab does

3DEXPERIENCE Lab is the startup accelerator and innovation laboratory of Dassault Systèmes (Euronext Paris: DSY), a publicly traded French multinational software company. Founded in Paris in November 2015, the Lab provides selected early-stage tech startups with free access to Dassault Systèmes' enterprise-grade 3D design, simulation, and collaboration tools — including CATIA, the cloud-based 3DEXPERIENCE platform, and virtual twin technology — for multi-year program durations of 2 to 5 years. The program operates two flagship tracks: the Startup Acceleration Program (direct selection via semi-annual pitch sessions featuring six startups each) and the Incubator Collaboration Program (free software access for startups at partner incubators such as OceanHub Africa). It is delivered through a network of six physical lab locations across Paris, Boston, Pune, Munich, Shanghai, and São José dos Campos, with on-site FabLab prototyping facilities and a Virtual 3DEXPERIENCE Lab for immersive remote collaboration. Support spans a global network of 2,500+ mentors and business partners, with startups spanning sustainability, healthcare, blue economy, assistive technology, and construction verticals.

The Lab functions as a corporate innovation initiative rather than a revenue-generating business: it does not charge startups, does not disclose separate financials, and is funded entirely by Dassault Systèmes as part of its broader R&D and ecosystem strategy. Value capture for the parent company is indirect — through early visibility into emerging technologies, talent pipelines, potential acquihires, and ecosystem goodwill. The underlying technology stack is anchored by the 3DEXPERIENCE platform (used by 25 million users globally) and extends to the 3DEXPERIENCE Make on-demand manufacturing marketplace, the PartSupply component marketplace (60M+ configurations from 1,670+ providers), and the Learning Libraries that provide role-based training across nine domains. The parent company's broader AI capabilities — generative design in 3D UNIVERSES, integration with NVIDIA BioNeMo for generative drug design, and predictive virtual twin simulations — are accessible to portfolio startups through the platform, though these are inherited capabilities rather than Lab-developed IP.

Name

3DEXPERIENCE Lab

Legal name

3DEXPERIENCE Lab (Dassault Systèmes)

Website

https://3dexperiencelab.3ds.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

3DEXPERIENCE Lab is Dassault Systèmes' internal startup accelerator and innovation laboratory, providing selected early-stage tech startups with free access to enterprise-grade 3D design, simulation, and collaboration tools, FabLab prototyping facilities, and a 2,500+ mentor network across six global lab locations spanning 2015 to 2025.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Accelerator and Innovation Lab

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Additive Manufacturing Research & Innovation Labs (IMAAAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Makerspace, Innovation Lab & Fab Lab Operations (Tools, Safety, Programming) (EDAEAGAI), Makerspaces & Fab Labs (Open Build Studios) (EDAMADAC)

Keywords

• Startup acceleration programs
• 3D design software
• Virtual twin simulation
• Digital prototyping labs
• On-demand manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Corporate Innovation Initiative: 3DEXPERIENCE Lab operates as Dassault Systèmes' internal startup accelerator and innovation laboratory. As a corporate innovation program, it does not generate direct revenue but serves to foster disruptive innovation, build ecosystem relationships, and identify emerging technologies and talent that may benefit Dassault Systèmes' core business.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

3DEXPERIENCE Lab is Dassault Systèmes' startup accelerator and innovation laboratory, providing selected early-stage tech startups with free access to the cloud-based 3DEXPERIENCE platform, CATIA 3D modeling and simulation tools, FabLab prototyping facilities, and a global network of mentors for periods of 2–5 years. The lab runs two core programs — a Startup Acceleration Program and an Incubator Collaboration Program — across six global hubs, supporting innovators in sustainability, healthcare, energy, and future cities sectors.

Product overview

3DEXPERIENCE Lab is Dassault Systèmes' startup accelerator and laboratory for disruptive innovation. It operates as a platform-plus-programs model, combining the core 3DEXPERIENCE Lab innovation hub with the Startup Acceleration Program (providing 2-5 years of tech, mentoring, and network access) and the Incubator Collaboration Program (providing free software access to incubated startups). The ecosystem includes FabLabs for prototyping and Virtual 3DEXPERIENCE Lab for immersive innovation experiences. Broader offerings include 3DEXPERIENCE Make (on-demand manufacturing marketplace connecting designers with service providers), 3DEXPERIENCE Make Enterprise (private marketplace for companies), and PartSupply Marketplace (3D component catalog with 60M+ configurations). The 3DEXPERIENCE Learning Libraries provide role-based training across design, simulation, manufacturing, and business domains. The 3DEXPERIENCE Platform serves as the foundational technology layer, with 3D UNIVERSES serving as an AI-powered initiative for generative design and virtual twin engineering.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Startup Acceleration Program: Program for startups driving positive change for environment or society, providing tech, mentorship and network for 2-5 years
• Incubator Collaboration Program
• Virtual 3DEXPERIENCE Lab
• FabLab

Products and services

• Startup Acceleration Program Acceleration program providing early-stage tech startups with free access to cutting-edge 3DEXPERIENCE platform technology, CATIA 3D modeling tools, industry know-how, and a global network of mentors and business partners for 2–5 years to bring innovative products with positive environmental or social impact to market.
• Incubator Collaboration Program
• FabLab Physical makerspace and R&D hub within 3DEXPERIENCE Lab locations featuring industrial zones, digital workshops, and dedicated spaces for demos and presentations, supporting physical prototyping alongside the lab's virtual design tools.
• Virtual 3DEXPERIENCE Lab Online immersive virtual experience where the 3DEXPERIENCE Lab's collaborative design, simulation, and innovation environment is recreated digitally, enabling remote exploration of the lab's spaces and capabilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100+ startups accelerated directly or via incubators
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability6 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• PIT – São José dos Campos Technology Innovation ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024PIT (São José dos Campos Technology Innovation Park) hosts the 3DEXPERIENCE Lab SJC Brazil - the first Lab of its kind in Latin America. Located within PIT, the Lab provides emerging companies with access to the cloud-based 3DEXPERIENCE platform along with specialized technical mentoring. This partnership establishes Dassault Systèmes' innovation footprint in the Latin American market.
• OceanHub AfricacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOceanHub Africa is a blue economy innovation hub that leverages 3DEXPERIENCE Lab to inspire entrepreneurs and build thought leadership in the ocean space. The partnership enables entrepreneurs to design, test, and improve mechanical engineering systems virtually, reducing development risks and facilitating funding. The Lab has been instrumental in helping OceanHub Africa build a pipeline of innovative ocean-related startups.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Microsoft for Startups: Microsoft's broad cloud and software accelerator offers free Azure credits and software access to early-stage startups, sharing 3DEXPERIENCE Lab's model of using free tools to build enterprise ecosystem pipeline, though focused on cloud/dev tools rather than CAD.
• NVIDIA Inception: NVIDIA Inception supports AI-focused startups with GPU access and go-to-market support. Relevant because 3DEXPERIENCE Lab integrates NVIDIA BioNeMo for life sciences, and the two programs may overlap on AI-driven design startups.
• SAP.iO Foundry: SAP.iO Foundry is SAP's corporate accelerator for enterprise software startups, sharing 3DEXPERIENCE Lab's model of using in-house accelerator programs to source innovation, partnerships, and acquisition targets for the parent.
• AWS Startups (Activate): AWS Activate provides cloud credits and technical support to early-stage startups, paralleling 3DEXPERIENCE Lab's approach of using free enterprise infrastructure as a channel for long-term customer relationships.
• Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence Startup Programs: Hexagon provides manufacturing and metrology software and ecosystem support to startups in manufacturing and smart factory verticals, offering an adjacent peer to 3DEXPERIENCE Lab in industrial digitalization enablement.

Direct peers

• Siemens Technology Accelerator / Siemens Startup Program: Siemens' startup programs give access to industrial software (including NX, Solid Edge, Simcenter) plus manufacturing ecosystem support, making it the closest direct competitor to 3DEXPERIENCE Lab in industrial design and digital twin enablement.
• Ansys Startup Program: Ansys provides free simulation software to startups through its Ansys Startup Program, competing with 3DEXPERIENCE Lab's simulation capabilities as part of the broader 3DEXPERIENCE platform.
• Autodesk for Startups (Foundry): Autodesk's startup program provides free access to its design and engineering software (AutoCAD, Fusion 360, etc.) to early-stage startups, mirroring 3DEXPERIENCE Lab's model of giving away enterprise-grade CAD/simulation tools to drive ecosystem adoption.
• PTC Startup Program: PTC offers free CAD/PLM software (Onshape, Creo) to qualifying startups, directly competing with 3DEXPERIENCE Lab in providing enterprise-grade product development tools to early-stage companies.

Emerging players

• Fab Foundation / Fab Lab Network: The Fab Foundation operates a global network of Fab Labs providing shared digital fabrication facilities. Relevant because 3DEXPERIENCE Lab's FabLab component operates within the broader Fab Lab ecosystem for prototyping infrastructure.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/3dexperiencelab
• Instagraminstagram.com/dassaultsystemeslife

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 3DEXPERIENCE Lab