BERKELEY, CA, June 27, 2016 – Combining Silicon Valley’s entrepreneurial spirit with its own engineering expertise, Siemens announced that it will add a new focus in industrial augmented/virtual reality to its startup Frontier Partner. The Frontier program currently supports startups in the areas of 3D printing and Robotics – granting manufacturing-focused startups access to Siemens’ PLM software, its technology partner program and other developmental resources. Today’s announced expansion into augmented/virtual reality is a strong indicator of the success of Frontier’s approach and further demonstrates the leading role that Siemens is taking with innovations in advanced manufacturing.

“Digitalization is transforming industries across the globe, shortening innovation cycles even as products become more complex,” said Chuck Grindstaff, CEO and president, Siemens PLM Software. “We are helping our customers, in industries from autos to aerospace to consumer electronics, transform their operations. From ideation to realization and utilization, and from the top floor to the shop floor, our customers are creating digital enterprises with the most complete solution portfolio for digitalization in the industry. We’re proud to offer these same tools to Frontier Partner startups as they work to bring their own manufacturing-focused innovations to market.”

There are currently 20 Frontier partners in 3D printing and Robotics, with more to be added with this announced expansion into Augmented/Virtual Reality.

The program supports startups in the product development phase. Startups receive a year-long development license to a comprehensive suite of Siemens’ PLM software that enables them to develop the new product. Additionally participants have access to Siemens development mentors and other technology partners who utilize Siemens’ software.

Some current examples:

• Frustum is currently working to integrate its design optimization tools into Siemens’ NX software for integrated CAD/CAM/CAE analysis. This will allow Frustum’s tools to guide a designer towards the optimal shape of a 3D metal part that could, for example, minimize part weight while maintaining part strength. The resulting part design may be 3D-printed directly. Understanding the value for 3D-printed custom parts for additive manufacturing, Siemens Venture Capital has invested in Frustum’s latest funding round.

• Identify 3D – a leader in software for the digital supply chain enabling companies to have the confidence that their intellectual property, processes and products are both secure and aligned with established engineering standards – is collaborating with Siemens PLM Software and Siemens Motion Control business unit to secure part designs from CAD through to the final machined or printed part. This is a critical piece for any truly digital supply chain.

The Frontier program is jointly managed by Siemens Technology to Business (TTB) and Siemens PLM Software. TTB is part of the Siemens Corporate Technology unit and is chartered with discovering and launching emerging technologies into profitable businesses. Siemens PLM Software is a leading global provider of digital software solutions that address areas such as product development, manufacturing, product data management and manufacturing operations management.

In addition to the more than $1 billion Siemens invests annually in the United States for research and development, this entrepreneurial initiative from Siemens is aimed at getting innovations to market quicker by building on existing, industry-proven tools. With a presence in Silicon Valley since the 1950s, Siemens envisions a future where Silicon Valley companies will infuse the excitement and creativity seen in consumer-focused apps into industrial software that will increase productivity, efficiency, speed-to-market and flexibility in modern manufacturing.

“Over the past year, Siemens has made many structural and organizational changes to access more innovation, both inside and outside the company,” said Chenyang Xu, general manager, Siemens Technology to Business, Berkeley. “The Frontier program is a great example of how Siemens is successfully working with many startups to bring their visionary technology to industrial scale and applicability which, in the end, benefits all of us.”

This new expansion of the Frontier Partner program was announced at Transforming Manufacturing: Tech Trends in Augmented/Virtual Reality – an event held by the Frontier Program in San Francisco, on June 22.

Startups looking to join the Frontier Partner program can apply at www.ttb.siemens.com/frontier.

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About Siemens Corp.

Siemens Corp. is a U.S. subsidiary of Siemens AG, a global powerhouse focusing on the areas of electrification, automation and digitalization. One of the world’s largest producers of energy-efficient, resource-saving technologies, Siemens is a leading supplier of systems for power generation and transmission as well as medical diagnosis. With approximately 348,000 employees in more than 190 countries, Siemens reported worldwide revenue of $86.2 billion in fiscal 2015. Siemens in the USA reported revenue of $22.4 billion, including $5.5 billion in exports, and employs approximately 50,000 people throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

Founded in 1999 in Berkeley, California, Siemens Technology to Business (TTB) aims to nurture partnerships with startups to connect thousands of engineers, scientists and entrepreneurs to business opportunities around the globe. TTB is part of the Siemens Corporate Technology unit, which is comprised of some 7,400 of the world’s most talented innovators, scientists, engineers and technical experts from over two dozen countries.

About Siemens PLM

Siemens PLM Software, a business unit of the Siemens Digital Factory Division, is a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) and manufacturing operations management (MOM) software, systems and services with over 15 million licensed seats and more than 140,000 customers worldwide. Headquartered in Plano, Texas, Siemens PLM Software works collaboratively with its customers to provide industry software solutions that help companies everywhere achieve a sustainable competitive advantage by making real the innovations that matter.

For more information on Siemens PLM Software products and services, visit www.siemens.com/plm.