ATLANTA, GA, USA, Aug 25, 2025 – Toolpath, the AI company creating tools that optimize the machining business, announced a new strategic investment by Autodesk (NASDAQ: ADSK), the creator of cloud-based product design and manufacturing software Fusion, and a globally-recognized design software leader.
Autodesk is participating in Toolpath’s recently-announced strategic investment round, which already includes Kennametal, ModuleWorks, and Leaders Fund. Autodesk joining this roster of industry leaders sends a clear message: Toolpath’s applied AI technology is being recognized and endorsed by some of the most trusted, innovative names in manufacturing.
“We are committed to providing our customers with tools that enable them to be more efficient and innovative,” said Stephen Hooper, VP of Design & Manufacturing at Autodesk. “Our investment in Toolpath achieves just that. Together, we can help manufacturers achieve substantial productivity gains through the practical application of AI. We have much admiration for the Toolpath team and are excited to work side by side with them.”
For Toolpath CEO Al Whatmough, this investment is highly strategic, as well as transformative. Whatmough joined Toolpath after more than a decade working at Autodesk, directing the CAM capabilities in Fusion.
“I know firsthand the craftsmanship, innovation, and sheer engineering excellence that exists within Fusion,” said Whatmough, “and I’m thrilled to be working again with friends at Autodesk to create the next generation of outstanding tools for machining. On multiple levels, from the drastic increases in efficiency we can bring to industry by working together, to the productivity that comes from building with people you’ve known and trusted for years, this investment marks the start of multiple powerhouses collaborating for the benefit of industry.”
Toolpath’s software integrates AI into the CAM process, optimizing operations, tool selection and toolpath strategies based on the machines and tools a manufacturer already owns. The platform intelligently analyzes machining processes for a part, providing manufacturers with insights on which jobs to quote, how much to charge, and any additional tools they’ll need for the job. Toolpath’s applied AI and proprietary Part Comprehension Engine address critical workflow steps, from initial job evaluation to machining plan, including tooling and operations. Much like how autopilot capabilities have reshaped and elevated the role of pilots in the cockpit of a plane, Toolpath’s technology enhances the work of professionals rather than replacing it.
The timing of this partnership comes as the manufacturing industry faces unprecedented pressure to increase throughput, reduce costs, and address skilled labor shortages — all while tackling increasingly complex part geometries and shorter product cycles. By combining Fusion’s design precision with Toolpath’s AI-powered estimating and production optimization capabilities, small and mid-sized manufacturers can bridge the gap between engineering intent and shop floor execution faster and more accurately than ever before.
With Autodesk joining Kennametal, ModuleWorks, and Leaders Fund as strategic investors, Toolpath is backed by a coalition of manufacturing’s top innovators.
“When leaders across multiple facets of the manufacturing ecosystem line up behind a single vision, you know something important is happening,” Whatmough said. “This is more than validation — it’s a signal that Toolpath is creating something genuinely valuable and impactful for our industry.”
About Toolpath
Toolpath is an AI-focused start-up focused on new solutions for the manufacturing industry. Our mission is to help manufacturers achieve greater efficiency and profitability through the practical application of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and decades of real-world experience. For more information, visit https://toolpath.com.
About Autodesk
The world’s designers, engineers, builders, and creators trust Autodesk to help them design and make anything. From the buildings we live and work in, to the cars we drive and the bridges we drive over. From the products we use and rely on, to the movies and games that inspire us. Autodesk’s Design and Make Platform unlocks the power of data to accelerate insights and automate processes, empowering our customers with the technology to create the world around us and deliver better outcomes for their business and the planet. For more information, visit autodesk.com or follow @autodesk. #MakeAnything
