PTC Startup Program Accelerates Aerospace Innovation

Strategic support for A&D innovators PTC launches startup program to accelerate aerospace and defence innovation

2025-07-21 Source: Press release 2 min Reading Time

Related Vendor

Boston-based software provider PTC has unveiled a new initiative aimed at supporting early-stage and scaling startups in the aerospace and defence sector. The program offers qualified companies free access to advanced digital engineering tools, including SaaS-based CAD, PLM, ALM and quality management platforms—helping young ventures meet growing demands for speed, complexity and compliance in mission-critical product development.

Startups accepted into the PTC program gain access to enterprise-level tools such as Onshape and Creo+, enabling faster, more agile development for mission-critical aerospace and defence applications. (Bild: PTC) — Startups accepted into the PTC program gain access to enterprise-level tools such as Onshape and Creo+, enabling faster, more agile development for mission-critical aerospace and defence applications.
(Bild: PTC)

PTC has launched a new startup program designed to support emerging aerospace and defence companies with complimentary access to its leading software platforms. These include Creo+, Onshape, Codebeamer+, and an entry-level package for Arena, offering startups the same tools used by major OEMs—without initial cost barriers.

In an environment increasingly defined by rapid innovation cycles, regulatory complexity and digital transformation, the program aims to equip young companies with the technological foundation needed to bring advanced systems to market quickly and reliably.

Beyond software, participating startups gain access to PTC’s global network of venture capital firms, incubators, technology partners and other enablers in the innovation ecosystem.

Integrated toolchain tailored for aerospace and defence development

The program offers participants full access to Creo+, PTC’s cloud-enabled CAD platform for mechanical design, well-suited for complex assemblies. Also included is Onshape, a cloud-native product development environment with built-in PDM and real-time collaboration—ideal for distributed engineering teams and agile workflows.

For teams facing strict regulatory constraints, PTC provides Onshape Government, a dedicated version built to comply with frameworks such as ITAR and EAR, used in U.S. federal and defence-related environments.Complementing this toolset is Codebeamer+, PTC’s ALM solution for requirements, testing and traceability across the software development lifecycle. It is purpose-built for safety-critical and regulated industries. Startups also receive Arena’s cloud-based PLM and QMS platform, supporting scalable product development and compliance across growing organizations.

The tools are offered for free over multiple years, enabling sustained access until key business milestones—such as institutional funding or commercialisation—are reached.

A gateway to the A&D innovation ecosystem

Beyond technical enablement, the startup program offers direct links into the wider A&D innovation landscape—through visibility, mentoring, and networking opportunities with established players. This aligns with a growing push across the industry to accelerate dual-use technologies, support sovereign innovation, and integrate new actors into existing supply chains.

More information on eligibility, program benefits and the application process is available here: PTC Solutions for Aerospace and Defense Startups

Subscribe to the newsletter now

Don't Miss out on Our Best Content

Business E-mail

Please enter a valid mailadress.

By clicking on „Subscribe to Newsletter“ I agree to the processing and use of my data according to the consent form (please expand for details) and accept the Terms of Use. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy. The consent declaration relates, among other things, to the sending of editorial newsletters by email and to data matching for marketing purposes with selected advertising partners (e.g., LinkedIn, Google, Meta)

Date: 08.12.2025

Naturally, we always handle your personal data responsibly. Any personal data we receive from you is processed in accordance with applicable data protection legislation. For detailed information please see our privacy policy.

Consent to the use of data for promotional purposes

I hereby consent to Vogel Communications Group GmbH & Co. KG, Max-Planck-Str. 7-9, 97082 Würzburg including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG (hereafter: Vogel Communications Group) using my e-mail address to send editorial newsletters. A list of all affiliated companies can be found here

Newsletter content may include all products and services of any companies mentioned above, including for example specialist journals and books, events and fairs as well as event-related products and services, print and digital media offers and services such as additional (editorial) newsletters, raffles, lead campaigns, market research both online and offline, specialist webportals and e-learning offers. In case my personal telephone number has also been collected, it may be used for offers of aforementioned products, for services of the companies mentioned above, and market research purposes.

Additionally, my consent also includes the processing of my email address and telephone number for data matching for marketing purposes with select advertising partners such as LinkedIn, Google, and Meta. For this, Vogel Communications Group may transmit said data in hashed form to the advertising partners who then use said data to determine whether I am also a member of the mentioned advertising partner portals. Vogel Communications Group uses this feature for the purposes of re-targeting (up-selling, cross-selling, and customer loyalty), generating so-called look-alike audiences for acquisition of new customers, and as basis for exclusion for on-going advertising campaigns. Further information can be found in section “data matching for marketing purposes”.

In case I access protected data on Internet portals of Vogel Communications Group including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG, I need to provide further data in order to register for the access to such content. In return for this free access to editorial content, my data may be used in accordance with this consent for the purposes stated here. This does not apply to data matching for marketing purposes.

Right of revocation

I understand that I can revoke my consent at will. My revocation does not change the lawfulness of data processing that was conducted based on my consent leading up to my revocation. One option to declare my revocation is to use the contact form found at https://contact.vogel.de. In case I no longer wish to receive certain newsletters, I have subscribed to, I can also click on the unsubscribe link included at the end of a newsletter. Further information regarding my right of revocation and the implementation of it as well as the consequences of my revocation can be found in the data protection declaration, section editorial newsletter.