Hestus, Inc.
Category: AI Developer Tools
Hestus offers AI-powered CAD software to automate repetitive design tasks, enhancing efficiency in hardware development. Hestus, Inc. was founded in 2024. The company is led by Sohrab Haghighat. Based in San Mateo, CA, US. Team size: 3. Total funding raised: $1.5M. Latest round: Led by Liquid2 and Rock Yard Ventures, with participation from Y Combinator and other investors.. Key investors include Liquid2, Rock Yard Ventures, Y Combinator, Kyle Vogt, Eric Migicovsky.
- Founded
- 2024
- Headquarters
- San Mateo, CA, US
- Team size
- 3
- Total funding
- $1.5M
Value proposition
Automates mundane CAD tasks, allowing engineers to focus on creative aspects of design.
Products and solutions
Sketch Helper plugin for Autodesk Fusion 360, which automates tasks like interference checks and parametric adjustments
Unique value
Hestus emphasizes engineer-defined parameters, ensuring user approval for AI-driven changes to prevent 'AI overreach'.
Target customer
Engineers and companies involved in mechanical design and hardware development.
Industries served
Mission-critical system design, including aerospace and medical devices
Technology advantage
Automates repetitive tasks while maintaining human oversight, enhancing design execution speed.
How they differentiate
Hestus focuses on engineer-defined parameters and human oversight, unlike fully generative AI tools.
Main competitors
Autodesk (Project Bernini), Bananaz
Key partnerships
Y Combinator, Liquid2, Rock Yard Ventures, Kyle Vogt, Eric Migicovsky
Major milestones
Secured seed funding Launched Sketch Helper plugin Released multiple product updates (v0.5.0-v1.1.0) through Dec 2025 Over 1,000 engineers using Sketch Helper Planning SOLIDWORKS and Onshape support
Growth metrics
Expanding team and product offerings; released multiple Sketch Helper updates (v0.5.0 in Apr 2025 through v1.1.0 in Dec 2025) adding Symmetry, Chain Mirror, HV Circles features. Over 1,000 engineers using the product.
Market positioning
Positioned as a solution for mission-critical system design, emphasizing efficiency and control.
Geographic focus
Global, with a focus on industries requiring precise mechanical design.
Patents and IP
Not explicitly mentioned, but Sohrab Haghighat holds 13 patents and has published 23 technical papers.
About Sohrab Haghighat
Sohrab Haghighat is a 2x YC founder, currently running Hestus, Inc (S24). Prior to that, Sohrab was founder and CEO of SpaceRyde (W19), a space transportation company, and ran the company for 6 years before selling the IP. Before starting SpaceRyde, Sohrab was an early employee at Cruise Automation.
Official website: https://www.hestus.co