Webinar
From Idea to Prototype: Founder Lessons + CAD Walkthrough [Live]
07 May 2026 12:00 Europe/London
Date: Thursday, 7 May 2026
Time: 12:00 PM (UK time)
Duration: 75 minutes (Live)
Audience: UK & Ireland startups & Entrepreneurs
This live session is for early‑stage hardware founders working towards a first or early prototype who want practical CAD support and guidance that genuinely helps.
You’ll hear an honest founder story from Matthew Simmonds, Entocycle, learn how eligible startups can access SOLIDWORKS licences for free, see a practical CAD walkthrough focused on the prototype stage (SOLIDWORKS core with a light look at Simulation and Visualize), and take part in live Q&A to ask questions about your own product.
This session brings together free access to professional CAD tools, real hands‑on support beyond software (including people and startup connections), a hardware founder’s early‑stage lessons, and a focused walkthrough of how to approach CAD during prototyping.
This isn’t about selling tools. It’s about showing how the right support, used at the right time, can remove friction and help hardware teams move forward more confidently.
If you’re currently working through a CAD or prototype challenge, you’re encouraged to submit a question when you register and we’ll aim to cover a few live.
Agenda
SOLIDWORKS for Start-ups Overview: How eligible UK and Ireland start-ups can access SOLIDWORKS licences for free, plus community and connections.
Founder Story with Matt Simmonds, Entocycle | From napkin sketches to a fully automated plant: the journey of building a high-tech sustainable insect factory. Matt will talk through his experience of building Entocycle from its infancy into a global leader in sustainable protein, sharing the highs and lows of building a deep-tech, mission-led startup in a brand new industry.
Practical SOLIDWORKS Walkthrough: Core modelling workflow for fast iteration, plus a light look at Simulation and Visualize.
Q&A: Ask anything! Whether it’s about CAD, prototyping, Simulation/Visualize, or to Matthew Simmonds.
Who is this for? Hardware start-ups (generally under 5 years old), founders, CTOs, and early engineers building physical products.
If you want to get started in advance:
Apply here: https://store.solidsolutions.co.uk/startups-apply/
Or, email: margaretha.samuels@solidsolutions.co.uk
Speaker Spotlight
Margaretha Samuels
Margaretha manages the SOLIDWORKS for Start-ups programme across the UK and Ireland. She is a former Applications Engineer and has spent the past three years working closely with early-stage hardware start-ups across North America and the UK. In this session, Margaretha will give a short overview of the programme, explain how eligible startups can access SOLIDWORKS licences for free, and help connect founders with relevant support, resources, and the wider start-up community.
Graham Stephenson
Graham is a Senior Solution Consultant who has been part of the Solid Solutions team since 2003. They began their career straight out of university having studied a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering at Northumbria University, Newcastle. Throughout their time, Graham has worked in various technical roles including training, technical support and now focuses on pre-Sales solutions for the wider SOLIDWORKS and Dassault Systèmes portfolio. Based in Newcastle, UK, Graham earned his SOLIDWORKS Elite Engineer status in 2010 and continues to pursue additional qualifications to enhance their expertise.
Matthew Simmonds
A first-class Oxford Engineer and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, Matt's career spans the full startup lifecycle—from soldering rudimentary prototypes to delivering industrial-grade solutions to clients. With a pedigree including McLaren Racing, Entrepreneurs First, and Y-Combinator, Matt specialises in "building the unbuildable." He now serves as a fractional leader, helping deep-tech ventures professionalise their operations and bridge the gap between technical R&D and commercial scale.