At Autodesk University Amar Hanspal, the Senior VP of Products, announced Autodesk Forge. Forge, the Cloud “Connected” Ecosystem, is not just a new ADN (Autodesk Developer Network), but the new development environment for all cloud developers to meet, learn, get help, and possibly get funding.

Forge Logo_Color

The basis of Autodesk Forge is three-fold:

Platform | Program | Fund

  • The Platform is a cloud-based platform including open application programming interfaces (APIs) and software development kits (SDKs).
  • The Program is the community, an upcoming conference (June), training, resources, and support
  • Some companies just need inspiration, some need mentorship, and some need capital (funding), so Autodesk has pledged up to $100 million over the next couple years to help kickstart initiatives

 

Autodesk Forge Platform - Cloud

BriteHub was one of the six inaugural partners and presented briefly.

BriteHub1

Here’s part of the press release

Autodesk Unveils Cloud-based Forge Initiative to Transform How Products are Designed, Made and Used
Three-pronged Effort to Include Services, Training and a $100 Million Investment Fund

LAS VEGAS, Autodesk University, Dec. 1, 2015 — Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK) today announced Forge, an initiative to accelerate a cloud connected ecosystem in support of the future of making things. The initiative consists of three major components – a platform-as-a-service (PaaS) offering, a robust developer program, and a $100 million investment fund – all geared toward advancing the next wave of innovative technologies that will transform how products are designed, made and used.

“The way we design, make and use products is rapidly changing. New technologies are disrupting every aspect of the product lifecycle,” said Amar Hanspal, senior vice president, Products at Autodesk. “Autodesk is launching Forge to help developers build new businesses in the changing manufacturing landscape. We are inviting innovators to take advantage of Autodesk’s cloud platform to build services that turn today’s disconnected technologies into highly connected, personalized experiences.”