# Autodesk **Source:** https://geo.sig.ai/brands/autodesk **Vertical:** Consumer Technology **Subcategory:** Enterprise **Tier:** Leader **Website:** autodesk.com **Last Updated:** 2026-04-14 ## Summary San Francisco design and construction software (NASDAQ: ADSK) $6.1B FY2025 revenue (+12%); AutoCAD/Revit industry standard, 98%+ subscription revenue, Construction Cloud competing with Bentley and Procore. ## Company Overview Autodesk, Inc. is a San Francisco, California-based design, engineering, and construction software company — publicly traded on the NASDAQ (NASDAQ: ADSK) as an S&P 500 Information Technology component — developing cloud-based and desktop software for architects, engineers, construction professionals, product designers, media and entertainment creators through industry-specific platforms including AutoCAD (2D/3D computer-aided design), Revit (building information modeling for architects and structural engineers), Civil 3D (infrastructure design for civil engineers), Inventor (3D mechanical CAD for product design), Maya/3ds Max (3D animation and visual effects), and Fusion 360 (cloud-based product design and manufacturing) through approximately 14,000 employees. In fiscal year 2025 (ending January 2025), Autodesk reported revenues of $6.1 billion (+12% year-over-year) with subscription model revenue representing 98%+ of total revenue — completing the company's decade-long transition from perpetual software license sales to annual and multi-year subscription contracts that generate predictable recurring revenue and higher lifetime customer value than one-time license purchases. CEO Andrew Anagnost leads Autodesk's strategy of expanding from design software into a construction platform: Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC — combining BIM 360, BuildingConnected, PlanGrid, and Assemble Systems into a unified construction project management and collaboration platform) targets the $10+ trillion global construction industry's digital transformation — connecting architects, engineers, contractors, and owners on a single platform from design (Revit/AutoCAD) through construction (ACC document management, RFI workflow, safety management) to facility management (Autodesk Tandem digital twin). Autodesk AI (AI-assisted design generation, Intelligent Model Healing, AutoCAD AI Drafting) integrates generative AI into the design workflow to automate repetitive drafting tasks and provide design optimization suggestions within existing AutoCAD and Revit workflows. Autodesk's design and construction software model creates competitive advantages through the industry-standard status of AutoCAD and Revit file formats that have become the lingua franca of design exchange: an architectural firm using Autodesk Revit to model a commercial building exports IFC and RVT files that structural engineers (also on Revit), MEP engineers (on AutoCAD MEP), and construction contractors (on Autodesk Construction Cloud) can all open natively — creating a file format ecosystem lock-in where switching to competing software (Bentley Systems, Trimble, Nemetschek) requires convincing the entire project team to change platforms simultaneously. AutoCAD's 40+ year incumbency in 2D drafting (every engineering and architectural school teaches AutoCAD as the default 2D CAD tool) has created a generation of designers whose muscle memory and drafting standards are AutoCAD-specific — creating human capital switching cost beyond software switching cost alone. Autodesk's construction platform (Autodesk Construction Cloud) competes directly with Procore Technologies (NYSE: PCOR, the leading independent construction project management platform) for the digital construction management platform that general contractors and subcontractors use for daily project communication. In 2025, Autodesk competes in design, engineering, and construction software against Bentley Systems (NASDAQ: BSY, infrastructure engineering software for civil, structural, and plant engineers), PTC (NASDAQ: PTC, industrial CAD and product lifecycle management), and Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB, construction technology hardware and software) for design software adoption in architecture/engineering/construction (AEC), product design manufacturing, and media and entertainment markets. The infrastructure bill investment cycle (US Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act — $1.2 trillion for roads, bridges, water systems, broadband) creates demand for Civil 3D and AutoCAD infrastructure design project volume from DOT contractors and municipal engineers across the US. Autodesk's transition to a "flexible token" consumption model (Autodesk Flex — allowing companies to purchase tokens that unlock any Autodesk product rather than committing to specific product subscriptions) addresses the SMB market of smaller firms that use multiple Autodesk tools intermittently, expanding addressable market. The 2025 strategy focuses on Autodesk Construction Cloud enterprise adoption (large general contractor platform consolidation), AI-assisted design feature commercialization in AutoCAD and Revit subscriptions, and the flexible token model expansion to the global mid-market. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What does Autodesk do? Autodesk is a global leader in design and engineering software, providing cloud-based solutions for architecture, engineering, construction, manufacturing, and media and entertainment industries. The company develops professional software tools including AutoCAD for drafting, Revit for building information modeling, Maya for 3D animation, and Fusion 360 for product design, serving millions of users worldwide who use these tools to imagine, design, and create everything from buildings to movies. ### Who are Autodesk's customers and target market? Autodesk serves professionals across multiple industries including architects, engineers, construction firms, manufacturers, product designers, and media and entertainment studios. The company's customer base ranges from individual professionals and small design firms to large multinational corporations and government agencies. Key market segments include the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, manufacturing and industrial design, and film, television, and game development studios across 140+ countries. ### When was Autodesk founded? Autodesk was founded on January 30, 1982, in Marin County, California, by John Walker and 12 co-founders who pooled $59,000 to start the company. AutoCAD, the company's flagship product, went on sale in December 1982 and generated $1.4 million in revenue in its first year, establishing Autodesk as a pioneer in bringing professional computer-aided design software to personal computers. ### Where is Autodesk based? Autodesk is headquartered in San Francisco, California, having moved from San Rafael in 2022. The company operates globally with offices and employees across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and other regions, serving customers in over 140 countries. Following a 2025 restructuring, Autodesk employs approximately 13,650 people worldwide. ### What is Autodesk's business model? Autodesk operates on a software-as-a-service (SaaS) subscription model, having completed its transition from perpetual software licenses to subscriptions between 2015 and 2020. Currently, 97% of the company's revenue is recurring subscription-based revenue. Customers pay annual or monthly subscription fees to access Autodesk's software through the cloud, receiving continuous updates, cloud services, and support as part of their subscription. ### What makes Autodesk different from competitors? Autodesk differentiates itself through its comprehensive ecosystem of industry-standard design tools, particularly AutoCAD's 39% market share in CAD software and Revit's leadership in BIM. The company's early move to cloud-based subscriptions, extensive third-party developer ecosystem, and integration across multiple design disciplines (architecture, engineering, manufacturing, entertainment) create a powerful platform effect. Autodesk's significant investment in AI-powered design tools and acquisitions like Wonder Dynamics position it at the forefront of generative design and intelligent automation. ### Who are Autodesk's main competitors? Autodesk's primary competitors include Dassault Systèmes (with CATIA and SOLIDWORKS, holding 13.75% CAD market share), the Nemetschek Group (Graphisoft, Vectorworks, Bluebeam), Siemens PLM Software, PTC, Bentley Systems, Trimble, and Hexagon. While Autodesk maintains market leadership with AutoCAD's 39% share, the competitive landscape is evolving with increased emphasis on open standards, cloud-native solutions, specialized AI agents, and interoperability challenging traditional platform dominance. ### How can I contact Autodesk? Autodesk can be reached through its official website at www.autodesk.com, which provides customer support, sales contact information, and resource centers for different products and industries. The company offers phone support, live chat, online knowledge bases, community forums, and regional sales offices. For investor relations, contact Autodesk's headquarters in San Francisco or visit their investor relations website at investors.autodesk.com. ### Is Autodesk hiring? While Autodesk underwent a strategic restructuring in February 2025 that reduced its workforce by approximately 9% (1,350 employees), the company continues to hire for strategic roles aligned with its focus on artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and product innovation. Current job opportunities can be found on Autodesk's careers website, with positions available across engineering, product development, sales, marketing, and customer success teams globally. ### What's the latest news about Autodesk? Recent developments include Autodesk's acquisition of Golaem for crowd simulation technology in August 2024, Wonder Dynamics for AI-powered 3D animation in May 2024, and PIX for production management in February 2024. The company announced fiscal 2025 revenue of $6.13 billion (12% growth) with 97% recurring revenue in February 2025. Autodesk also implemented a workforce restructuring to focus resources on AI and cloud innovation. The company continues to expand its Autodesk Construction Cloud platform and invest heavily in generative design and AI-powered workflows. ### What is Autodesk's market position? Autodesk is the dominant player in design software with a market capitalization of approximately $65 billion as of December 2025. AutoCAD holds a commanding 39.12% market share in the CAD software industry, making it the clear market leader. The company serves over 42,958 companies worldwide and generates over $6 billion in annual revenue with 97% recurring subscription revenue. Autodesk is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the ticker ADSK and is recognized as a Large Cap company ranking as the world's 343rd most valuable company. ### What are Autodesk's future plans? Autodesk is focusing on three strategic priorities: advancing artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities across its product portfolio, expanding cloud-native collaboration and connected workflows, and deepening its industry-specific solutions for construction, manufacturing, and media industries. The company is investing heavily in generative design technologies, real-time collaboration tools, and automation to help customers design and make things better, faster, and more sustainably. Recent acquisitions in AI-powered animation and crowd simulation signal Autodesk's commitment to staying at the forefront of design technology innovation. ## Tags b2c, cloud-native, hardware, public --- *Data from geo.sig.ai Brand Intelligence Database. Updated 2026-04-14.*