SAN FRANCISCO — (BUSINESS WIRE) — October 30, 2014 — Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) has announced that it intends to invest up to $100 million in 3D printing companies over the next several years. The Spark Investment Fund, which will be operated within Autodesk, is the first of its kind for the 3D printing industry and will invest in entrepreneurs, startups and researchers who push the boundaries of 3D printing technology and accelerate the new industrial revolution.

Earlier this year, Autodesk announced Spark, an open and free* software platform for 3D printing that will connect digital information to 3D printers in a new way. Spark will connect to any hardware and be materials agnostic, and the company invites the entire 3D printing community to collaborate, build and improve the platform, its associated Ember 3D printer and materials.

Companies and individuals developing groundbreaking hardware, software, materials, marketplaces and maker spaces are encouraged to apply to participate in the Spark Investment Fund’s investment portfolio. In addition to the financial investment, Spark Investment Fund recipients will become part of the Spark partner program and have access to marketing and other developer services available to Spark partners. It is through this unique combination of strategic investment and value-added partnership opportunity that Autodesk seeks to extend and empower the Spark ecosystem and spur innovation toward a more mature 3D printing experience.

“The days of taking a closed, top-down approach to innovating for additive manufacturing are behind us. Numerous industries recognize the value of tapping into entrepreneurs or startups with better ideas and approaches, and 3D printing is no exception,” said Samir Hanna, vice president and general manager, Consumer Products and 3D Printing, at Autodesk. “The Spark Investment Fund will empower innovators to improve 3D printing, and to help us unlock the tremendous promise of this technology.”

To learn more about the Spark Investment Fund or to apply to become a recipient, visit spark.autodesk.com/fund.

About Autodesk

Autodesk helps people imagine, design and create a better world. Everyone--from design professionals, engineers and architects to digital artists, students and hobbyists—uses Autodesk software to unlock their creativity and solve important challenges. For more information visit  autodesk.com or follow @autodesk.

Autodesk and the Autodesk logo are registered trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.

*Free products are subject to the terms and conditions of the end-user license and services agreement that accompanies the software.

© 2014 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding Autodesk’s investment activities; Autodesk’s ability to provide financial support for, extend and empower, and spur innovation, in the 3D printing industry; the anticipated or potential benefits that entrepreneurs, startups and researchers may derive from Spark and the Spark Investment Fund; the timing and availability of Spark, the Spark Investment Fund and 3D printing in general; and the anticipated market acceptance and demand for 3D printing in general, and the Spark platform in particular. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations. The following important factors, without limitation, could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements: risks that 3D investments do not materialize or, if so, are not successful; risk related to potential investment accounting impairment charges; risks that Autodesk does not successfully invest in the 3D printing industry; risks that Spark may not perform as anticipated; and risks associated with building market acceptance for 3D printing.

Further information on potential factors that could affect the financial results of Autodesk are included in Autodesk's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2014 and Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended April 30 and July 31, 2014, which are on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Autodesk does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements provided to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.