It seems impossible that we have already reached the last day of 3DEXPERIENCE World 2026. The final day at 3DEXPERIENCE World 2026 is always a celebration of the amazing global SOLIDWORKS community and its expanding innovation footprint. Suchit Jain, Vice President of Strategy & Business Development, kicked off the day with a focus on the people, places, and programs driving the future of design. The key message was clear: innovation thrives through the collaboration of public support, private industry, and education.

Today’s General Session showcased how this collaborative spirit is reshaping regions and building the workforce of tomorrow. From global innovation hubs to student competitions and dedicated community programs, we saw how individuals and organizations are using SOLIDWORKS to solve real-world problems. Today’s General Session also featured significant announcements aimed at increasing access to skills and opportunities for the next generation of innovators.

Global Hubs Fostering Local Innovation

A major theme of the event was the power of localized innovation hubs. These centers serve as critical connectors between education, research, and industry. We heard from leaders of three distinct organizations that demonstrate this model’s success.

Dr. Amy Thompson, Chief Technology Officer at the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT), explained the center’s mission to help small- and medium-sized manufacturers adopt Industry 4.0 and 5.0 technologies.

In a region known as Aerospace Alley, CCAT provides training, technical services, and grant support to keep these vital businesses competitive. its work ensures that even the smallest companies can contribute to national and global supply chains.

From Brazil, we heard from two powerful examples of ecosystem development. Denis Sakuma described how CITAP, an innovation hub of the Shunji Nishimura Foundation, brings government universities and businesses together to accelerate societal change. Valter Estevao Beal presented SENAI CIMATEC, a unique complex that functions as a technical school, a university, and an R&D center.

SENAI CIMATEC supports industry by developing new solutions and providing skilled professionals working on everything from deep-sea AUVs to artificial intelligence (AI). For over 18 years, SOLIDWORKS has been the backbone of their mechanical design efforts, integrated into both advanced projects and student curricula.

Celebrating the Next Generation of Innovators

The event also put a spotlight on the students and young professionals who carry innovation forward. Their stories highlight the incredible potential that emerges when passion meets powerful tools.

Matas Čiuželis of Lituanica X took the stage to represent Lithuania’s formidable robotics community. Since 2023, the community has grown from four members to over 400. Using SOLIDWORKS, his team developed a nearly autonomous robot that earned them a silver medal at the FIRST Global Challenge. His journey underscores a key point: it’s not just about winning competitions, but about building a national community and inspiring future engineers.

Aakruti Global Finale

We also celebrated the Aakruti Global Finale. The AAKRUTI Innovation Competition is the only student-led, end-to-end design and innovation contest powered on the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform. It has transformed from an India-only initiative in 2011 to a global innovation movement with 1,812 student design teams, 504 participating colleges/universities, 399 all-women teams — making the future workforce ready today.

The winner of this year’s competition is Team UJ WOM+N IN TECH, from the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, with its winning design of a Pedal-Powered Breast Pump. Congratulations to this amazing group of women; we can’t wait to see the amazing things you all create in the future.

The Power of a Connected Community

The people who make SOLIDWORKS more than just software were another central focus. The SOLIDWORKS User Group Network (SWUGN) and the SOLIDWORKS Champions Program connect the most passionate users, creating a support system for learning and professional growth.

Next up, Dan Wagner, SWUGN Manager, and Matthew Clegg, the SOLIDWORKS Champion Program Manager, joined the stage to provide updates on both of these amazing programs.

Dan shared some incredible milestones. The network, now home to over 200 user groups and 15,000 members, is celebrating its 30th anniversary. The event honored Mike Puckett with the Michelle Pillers Community Award for his work in growing the SOLIDWORKS Certification program. Marty Ohnemus was named the Wayne Tiffany User Group Leader of the Year for his dedicated leadership across multiple groups.

Matthew Clegg, Champions Program Manager, recognized the contributions of the more than 400 Champions worldwide and announced Joe Lance was named the 2025 SOLIDWORKS Champion of the Year for his decades of mentoring and inspiring users of all ages. These programs and the volunteers who lead them are the heart of the SOLIDWORKS community.

New Programs to Build the Future Workforce

Building on the community’s success, Suchit also announced several new initiatives to connect skills with opportunities. The SOLIDWORKS certification program recently reached a major milestone, with one million certified users worldwide. This credential has become a global standard for employers seeking qualified candidates.

The SkillForce program, launched last year, has already facilitated over 350 internships and projects in more than 25 countries. It provides students with commercial SOLIDWORKS access and support, allowing them to contribute to real projects from day one.

To expand this effort, the new SOLIDWORKS FutureForce program was announced. This initiative allows large customers to nominate an educational institution to receive a package that includes free SOLIDWORKS access for students, certification opportunities, and training programs. This creates a direct pipeline where companies invest in the schools that feed their workforce.

Finally, to make it even easier for students to begin their journey, a free SOLIDWORKS Student Edition will be available starting July 1. This offering removes a significant barrier, giving any student the ability to learn, practice, and build their first projects. These programs create a clear path from the classroom to a career.

A Shared Vision for the Future

3DEXPERIENCE World 2026 was more than a conference; it was a testament to a shared vision. The innovation footprint we see today was built by this community. From the innovation hubs in Connecticut and Brazil to the robotics team in Lithuania and the user group leaders around the world, progress is a collective effort. By expanding access to tools and connecting students with industry, we are ensuring that the next generation is ready to design a better future.

Keynote: Jay Vogler

Jay Vogler, aka Engineezy, is known to his millions of fans as Engineezy. Jay delivered the final keynote with a creator’s perspective on mechanical design and visual storytelling. His projects range from marble machines to robotic and motion-driven systems, demonstrating how even the most complex assemblies can be engineered with ease. He shared behind-the-scenes stories of his most popular builds and explained the design choices that make them work. Watch this fascinating keynote here.

What an incredible four days celebrating the collective achievements of the SOLIDWORKS community, and how the collaboration between public, private, and educational sectors is driving innovation and building a skilled workforce for the future.

Thanks to everyone who joined us—in person or via the live stream—for 3DEXPERIENCE World 2026, and we hope to see you — and even more of you — next year for 3DEXPERIENCE World 2027 in Nashville, TN, February 14-17th, 2027.

Bio
Twitter
Facebook
Latest Posts

SOLIDWORKS

Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp. offers complete 3D software tools that let you create, simulate, publish, and manage your data. SolidWorks products are easy to learn and use, and work together to help you design products better, faster, and more cost-effectively. The SolidWorks focus on ease-of-use allows more engineers, designers and other technology professionals than ever before to take advantage of 3D in bringing their designs to life.