Introduction to Aletiq

Aletiq has successfully raised a €6 million funding round, equivalent to approximately $6.5 million at current exchange rates, led by Point Nine a few months ago. This French startup is now announcing its founding round, having developed product lifecycle management (PLM) software designed specifically for manufacturing industrial companies across various sectors including aerospace, automotive, electronics, luxury, and more.

The Reality of Industrial Companies

When considering aerospace companies, prominent names like Airbus and Boeing often come to mind. However, these major industrial corporations collaborate with a multitude of suppliers, both small and large, specializing in components, parts, and specific processes. This scenario is mirrored in the automotive and medical device manufacturing industries as well.

The Need for PLM Software

The top 1% of manufacturers have already adopted PLM software developed by industry giants such as Autodesk, Dassault Systèmes, PTC, or Siemens. However, the long tail of industrial companies lacks the appropriate tools to manage operations and optimize workflows efficiently.

Market Overview

According to Aletiq co-founder and CEO Geoffrey Ricard, the PLM market is dominated by four major players who account for 90% of the market. These companies initially developed computer-aided design (CAD) software and later expanded to PLM around twenty years ago, primarily catering to large corporations like Airbus and PSA. As a result, these solutions are high-performance but complex, time-consuming to deploy, and mostly on-premise.

Aletiq’s Approach

Aletiq diverges from this trend by focusing entirely on product lifecycle management and adhering to the software-as-a-service (SaaS) model. It targets large SMEs and mid-market industrial companies, offering a solution that is intuitive, easy to use, and quick to deploy in just a few months. This approach allows customers to anticipate a return on investment within the first quarter.

Functionality and Integration

Aletiq serves as the single source of truth for product data, including CAD files, specification sheets, and quality requirements. It seamlessly integrates with enterprise tools such as CAD and ERP software that these companies are already utilizing. Beyond enhancing internal workflows, Aletiq can also function as a supply chain traceability tool or a platform for co-designing components with other companies.

Collaborative Features

An Aletiq customer can communicate with partners by sharing data, not only with customers but also with suppliers, who have a dedicated space on the platform—a supplier portal for sharing. This collaborative feature facilitates smooth interaction throughout the supply chain.

Company Progress

Since its inception in 2019, the Aletiq team has dedicated significant time to developing its platform before securing its first clients. Today, there are 5,000 users across 10 different countries. Most customers are mid-market industrial companies, though Aletiq has also partnered with notable names such as Safran, Hutchinson, and Lisi Group.

Investment

In addition to Point Nine, investors include Entropy Industrial and AngelInvest, along with several business angels like Carsten Thoma (Celonis), Emmanuel Martin Chave (BlaBlaCar), Markus Ament (Taulia), and Stéphane Albernhe (Archery Strategy Consulting). This strategic funding is set to propel Aletiq forward in its mission to provide accessible and efficient PLM solutions to a broader range of industrial companies.