Here are 1-3 analogies for Autodesk (ADSK):

• Adobe for architects, engineers, and product designers.
• The Microsoft Office suite for the design, engineering, and construction industries.

• AutoCAD: Industry-standard software for 2D and 3D computer-aided design and drafting across various industries.
• Revit: Building Information Modeling (BIM) software for architectural design, MEP engineering, structural engineering, and construction.
• Fusion 360: A cloud-based platform integrating 3D CAD, CAM, CAE, and PCB design for product development and manufacturing.
• Inventor: Professional-grade 3D mechanical design software for product development, providing tools for 3D modeling, simulation, and documentation.
• 3ds Max: 3D modeling, animation, rendering, and compositing software primarily used for architectural visualization, product design, and media & entertainment.
• Maya: Powerful 3D animation, modeling, simulation, and rendering software widely used for creating realistic characters, environments, and visual effects in film, TV, and games.
• Civil 3D: Civil engineering design and documentation software that supports BIM workflows for a variety of civil infrastructure projects.
• AEC Collection: A comprehensive collection of integrated BIM and CAD software for building and civil infrastructure design, including Revit, AutoCAD, and Civil 3D.
• Product Design & Manufacturing Collection: An integrated suite of professional-grade tools for product development, offering CAD, CAM, and CAE capabilities, including Inventor and Fusion 360.

Autodesk (symbol: ADSK) primarily sells its software and services to other companies (B2B) across a wide range of industries.

According to its financial filings, Autodesk does not have any single customer that accounts for 10% or more of its net revenue. This signifies a highly diversified customer base rather than a few individually identifiable "major" customer companies. Instead, Autodesk serves millions of organizations globally that leverage its design and make software solutions.

Therefore, while specific customer company names cannot be listed as "major customers" due to this extensive diversification, the primary categories of companies that form Autodesk's significant customer base include:

• Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) Firms: This broad category includes architectural design firms, civil and structural engineering companies, general contractors, and building owners. These customers utilize Autodesk products such as AutoCAD, Revit, Civil 3D, and BIM 360 for building information modeling (BIM), infrastructure design, and construction management.
• Manufacturing and Product Design Companies: Businesses in sectors like automotive, aerospace, industrial machinery, consumer products, and electronics constitute a significant customer base. They rely on software like Inventor, Fusion 360, and PowerMill for mechanical design, product simulation, and advanced manufacturing.
• Media and Entertainment Studios: This segment includes film studios, television production companies, game developers, and visualization specialists. They employ Autodesk tools such as Maya, 3ds Max, and ShotGrid for 3D animation, visual effects, and game development.

• Amazon Web Services (Parent Company: Amazon, Symbol: AMZN)
• Microsoft Azure (Parent Company: Microsoft, Symbol: MSFT)

Andrew Anagnost, President and Chief Executive Officer

Andrew Anagnost has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Autodesk since 2017. He joined Autodesk in 1997 and has held various leadership positions, including Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President of Business Strategy & Marketing. Anagnost was instrumental in guiding Autodesk's strategic transformation to a subscription and cloud-based business model. Before his tenure at Autodesk, he worked at Lockheed Aeronautical Systems, NASA Ames Research Center as a postdoctoral fellow, and Exa Corporation. He also serves on the board of HubSpot and the Autodesk Foundation.

Janesh Moorjani, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

Janesh Moorjani will assume the role of Chief Financial Officer at Autodesk, effective December 16, 2024. He previously served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Elastic NV. Moorjani's career spans over two decades in the technology industry, with prior executive and leadership roles at companies such as Infoblox, VMware, Cisco, PTC, and Goldman Sachs. He also serves on the board of directors of Cohesity.

Amy Bunszel, Executive Vice President, Architecture, Engineering and Construction Design Solutions

Amy Bunszel leads product and industry strategy for Autodesk's Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) solutions. With over 30 years of experience, she has a strong background in innovating software products across various industries. Before joining Autodesk, Bunszel co-founded Linius Technologies, a computer-aided design (CAD) software company, which was acquired by Autodesk in 2003. She serves on the board of directors of Pixelworks (PXLW).

Debbie Clifford, Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer

Debbie Clifford serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer at Autodesk. She previously held the position of Chief Financial Officer at Autodesk and was also the Chief Financial Officer at SVMK Inc. (SurveyMonkey). Her tenure at Autodesk includes various finance leadership roles, such as Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis and Vice President of Division Finance.

Steve Blum, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer

Steve Blum is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Autodesk, a position he has held since November 2022. He has held various other positions within the company prior to his current role.

The key risks to Autodesk's business include:

1. Financial Reporting Practices and Regulatory Scrutiny: Autodesk recently underwent an internal Audit Committee investigation into its free cash flow and non-GAAP operating margin practices, which identified areas where financial metric targets influenced accounting decisions. While no restatement of financial statements was required, the investigation led to a delay in filing its annual report on Form 10-K and a notice of non-compliance from Nasdaq. This situation introduces risks related to corporate governance, investor confidence, and potential ongoing regulatory scrutiny.
2. Intensifying Competition and Market Dynamics, particularly in China: Autodesk faces significant and intensifying competition across its various product segments, especially in the growing Chinese market. The company has experienced slower growth rates in the Asia-Pacific region compared to some competitors, and the potential international spread of competing Chinese software could further impact Autodesk's market share and growth.
3. Inability to Predict Subscription Renewal Rates: A substantial portion of Autodesk's revenue is derived from its subscription model. The company faces a key risk in its ability to accurately predict subscription renewal rates, which can significantly impact its future revenue and overall operating results.

Blender, an open-source 3D creation suite, is emerging as a significant threat to Autodesk's dominance in the Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector, particularly for its Maya and 3ds Max products. While Blender has existed for many years, its rapid development pace, increasing professional-grade features, and growing adoption within animation studios, VFX houses, and game development companies directly challenge the need for expensive proprietary software. Its free availability and strong community support are attracting new artists and smaller studios, and even integrating into larger studio pipelines, eroding the market share and revenue potential for Autodesk's established M&E offerings.

Autodesk (ADSK) operates in several large addressable markets, primarily across the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC), Manufacturing, and Media and Entertainment industries.

Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC)

• The global AEC software market was valued at approximately $9.06 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $13.65 billion by 2028 and $22.85 billion by 2033. Another estimate places the global AEC software market at USD 9.17 billion in 2023, expected to grow to USD 21.89 billion by 2032.
• The broader global architectural, engineering, and construction services market, which includes software, was estimated at USD 108.15 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 263.77 billion by 2030.
• In the U.S., the architectural, engineering, and construction services market is expected to grow significantly at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.5% from 2024 to 2030.
• The global AI in Construction Market was valued at USD 5.13 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 33.31 billion by 2033. The U.S. AI in Construction Market is expected to grow from USD 1.43 billion in 2025 to USD 7.69 billion by 2033.

Manufacturing

• The global Digital Manufacturing Software market was valued at USD 6.9 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow to USD 33.7 billion by 2032. Another source indicates the Digital Manufacturing Software market size as USD 12.5 billion in 2023, growing at a CAGR of 13.57% from 2023 to 2030.
• The global Manufacturing software market reached $44.7 billion in 2024 and is forecast to grow to $59.5 billion by 2029.
• The global Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) market is projected to grow from USD 3.39 billion in 2024 to USD 5.69 billion by 2030.

Media and Entertainment

• The global Digital Media Production Software Market is projected to grow from USD 7.70 billion in 2024 to USD 28.04 billion by 2035.

Autodesk (ADSK) is expected to drive future revenue growth over the next 2-3 years through several key strategies:

1. AI and Cloud-Powered Workflows: Autodesk is heavily investing in and leading the integration of AI into its design and make platforms, with a focus on its AI-first industry clouds: Forma, Fusion, and Flow. These AI-native, end-to-end workflows are designed to transform how industries like architecture, engineering, construction (AECO), and manufacturing operate, enhancing productivity and connecting professionals through advanced digital processes.
2. Expansion in Core and High-Growth Markets: The company is tapping into multi-trillion-dollar markets, including infrastructure, construction, and manufacturing, by helping these sectors digitize and modernize. The AECO product family, in particular, has been identified as a primary growth driver, with strong performance driven by sustained investment in data centers, infrastructure, and industrial buildings.
3. Leveraging its Subscription Model and Recurring Revenue: Autodesk's business model, characterized by a high proportion of recurring subscription revenue (around 97% as of fiscal 2025), provides substantial revenue predictability and stability. This consistent revenue stream forms a strong foundation for sustainable growth.
4. Optimization of the New Transaction Model: The transition to a new transaction model is expected to continue providing a tailwind to both billings and revenue growth. This model contributes to efficient and sustainable growth by optimizing sales and marketing strategies and enhancing direct-to-customer sales.

Share Repurchases

• Autodesk authorized a $5 billion share-repurchase program in November 2024. As of January 31, 2025, $3.88 billion remained available under a November 2022 program and the full $5 billion under the November 2024 program.
• The company repurchased $852 million in fiscal 2025 and 3 million shares at an average of $278.86 per share. In fiscal 2024, Autodesk repurchased 4 million shares for $795 million.
• For fiscal 2026, Autodesk targets share repurchases of approximately $1.2 billion to $1.3 billion. Share repurchases are consistently used to offset dilution from employee stock plans.

Share Issuance

• Share issuances primarily stem from the company's employee stock plans, which lead to dilution that is often offset by share repurchases.
• Autodesk's shares outstanding were 0.217 billion in 2025, a 0.46% increase from 2024.
• Stock-based compensation, which contributes to share issuance, amounted to $788 million for the latest twelve months ending July 31, 2025.

Outbound Investments

• Autodesk spent $825 million on acquisitions in fiscal 2025, following $70 million in fiscal 2024 and $96 million in fiscal 2023.
• The company has strategically focused on organic growth and "tuck-in acquisitions," which averaged $231 million.
• Significant acquisitions in the last few years include Innovyze for $1 billion in March 2021, Golaem in August 2024, Datum360 in June 2024, Wonder Dynamics in May 2024, and Payapps in January 2024.

Capital Expenditures

• Autodesk's capital expenditures for the latest twelve months ending July 31, 2025, totaled $41 million.
• Capital expenditures averaged $51.6 million for fiscal years ending January 2021 to 2025, with a peak of $91 million in January 2021 and a low of $31 million in January 2024.
• Expected capital expenditures for fiscal 2026 are approximately $50 million, primarily focused on internal-use software applications.