This is more than just a sponsorship; it’s a “working partnership” that will see the Patriots and the Kraft Group leverage the power of the Autodesk Design and Make Platform—including tools like Autodesk Forma and Autodesk Construction Cloud—to streamline long-term capital projects, from facility upgrades to new real estate developments. Essentially, the tools used to design skyscrapers and electric cars are now building the future of one of the NFL‘s most renowned organizations.

But what does a partnership between a tech company and a football team mean for students? It means real-world relevance, career inspiration, and access to the tools that are defining the future of design and construction.

The Patriots Connection: Designing & Making It Real for Students

 

The link between the partnership and student engagement is already clear. The collaboration specifically highlights the Autodesk Design & Make It Real program for students, which is being championed by New England Patriots Quarterback, Josh Dobbs. Dobbs is a unique face for this initiative, given his background as a former aerospace engineering student and NASA intern.

The “Make It Real” program is a fantastic example of a large company leveraging its industry partnerships to create tangible opportunities for young people. It encourages students to apply the design thinking process to real-world problems related to construction and the built environment.

Key student opportunities associated with the “Make It Real” program include:

  • Microfunding and Grants: The program offers microgrants and scholarship prizes to support educational expenses for students engaging in the building trades.
  • Technology Tutorials: Students gain access to tutorials on industry-standard software like FormIt, AutoCAD, Revit, and Construction Cloud tools.
  • Career Exploration: Content featuring professionals, like the “Beyond Bounds” series with Josh Dobbs, helps students explore various career paths in the design and construction industry.

This initiative, rooted in the high-profile Patriots partnership, gives students a powerful narrative: the same digital tools being used to manage and build the infrastructure of an NFL team are the ones they can master today.

 

Beyond the Field: Autodesk’s Commitment to Education and Industry

 

The Patriots partnership is a high-profile example, but it’s part of a much broader strategy by Autodesk and its industry partners to empower the next generation of designers, engineers, and builders.

Autodesk ensures that students and educators globally have access to the powerful software used by leading professional firms—often free for educational purposes. This commitment is supported by a robust network of industry partners:

 

1. Free Educational Access to Professional Tools

 

Students at eligible educational institutions can receive a one-year, single-user subscription to a vast portfolio of Autodesk software, including:

  • Autodesk Fusion (for manufacturing, 3D modeling, and engineering)
  • AutoCAD (for 2D and 3D drafting)
  • Revit (the leading tool for Building Information Modeling – BIM)
  • Autodesk Construction Cloud (for project management and collaboration)

This free access directly links classroom learning to the software students will use in their future careers at major firms.

 

2. Industry-Endorsed Learning and Partnerships

 

Autodesk works with a worldwide network of partners to bridge the gap between academia and industry:

  • Authorized Academic Partners (AAPs): These partners collaborate with educational institutions to develop and integrate curriculum, ensuring that what students learn is immediately relevant to industry needs. They help prepare students for Autodesk Certification exams, which validate their skills to future employers.
  • Curriculum Development: For platforms like Autodesk Construction Cloud, the curriculum is crafted collaboratively with respected academia and industry experts, ensuring students graduate with job-ready technical skills in fields like BIM.
  • Industry Collaboration in Real-Time: Firms that are Autodesk partners often provide case studies, guest lectures, and even internship opportunities, giving students firsthand exposure to projects beyond sports complexes, such as:
    • Architecture & Engineering Firms utilizing Revit and AutoCAD to design sustainable structures.
    • Manufacturing Companies leveraging Fusion for product design, CNC machining, and additive manufacturing.

By engaging with programs like the Patriots’ construction initiatives and educational access to platforms like Fusion, today’s students are not just learning software—they are actively preparing to step into a world where design and technology are the foundation for innovation, whether they are building a championship stadium or a cutting-edge new product.

Questions, let us know!