SolidWorks Founders Reunite to Ponder Their Second Act

Scott Harris, one of the founders of SolidWorks -- as well as friend and fellow bike rider -- called to confirm news that had already spread like morning wildfire on tweets and blogs¹. He and the original founders and leaders of SolidWorks had formed a new company.

The company is called Belmont Technology, Inc. It was incorporated yesterday². The name serves as a place holder -- maybe until the group can figure out what they will produce. Belmont is a town in Massachusetts, a few miles from Winchester, which served as a placeholder name until Winchester Designs, before it changed its name to SolidWorks.

The group includes John Hirschtick, John McEleney, Scott Harris, Dave Corcoran, Mike Lauer and Tommy Li. They plan on putting their minds together to develop tools and technologies for designers and engineers, so will be brainstorming ideas. "Not a line of code has been written yet," says Scott.

Scott and I had discussed the need of a truly intuitive design tool a few times over the hundreds of miles we rode together. CAD programs fall short on being really intuitive for design, says Scott. He still sees lots of opportuniy to improve product design tools. Of course, he expects his ideas to be weighed with ideas from others in the group as the fledgling company moves forward.

The group will soon be seeking external funding, however, rather than try to bootstrap it.

Any reaction from Dassault? I ask. Nothing official, though Dassault has been informed. We have been above board with them, says Scott. One may assume that non-compete clauses have expired.

Scott will be reducing his multiple activities to devote himself full time to this new venture, he says. Less time with technology companies who he advises. Cutting back on his teaching at Olin College. Less time with search and rescue. Less time biking, running? I hope not.

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Notes:

1. Ray Kurland first to report on his blog, which was then #1 story on TenLinks Daily. 

2. Belmont Technology incorporated in state of Delaware on Nov 1, 2012, according to the official state website.

Comments

[Rande Robinson]

All I can say is I hope the first thing they do isn't an ipad app...

[DevonSowell]

Awesome news, good luck to them, I look forward to what they produce.