Autodesk is buying Norwegian construction AI firm for $240M

Autodesk Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK) said it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Spacemaker for $240 million net of cash. The acquisition will provide the San Rafael-based design and manufacturing software maker with a powerful platform to drive modern, user-centric automation -- powered by artificial intelligence -- and accelerate outcome-based design capabilities for architects, according to the company. Based in Oslo, Norway, Spacemaker uses cloud-based AI and generative design to help architects, urban designers, and real estate developers make more informed early-stage design decisions faster and enables improved opportunities for sustainability from the start. By evaluating the best options from the outset, Spacemaker is said to help architects maximize their clients' long-term property investments. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close during Autodesk's fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, ending Jan. 31, 2021.