Toolpath was co-founded in 2021 by Andy Powell and Justin Gray to bring practical AI to computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), the software step where a part's CAD model is turned into the toolpaths and machine instructions that actually cut metal. CAM programming is notoriously time-consuming and dependent on scarce expert machinists, and quoting a job accurately requires deep knowledge of machines, tooling and cycle times. Toolpath's mission is to automate the repetitive parts of that workflow so shops can quote faster and program more consistently.
The platform's centerpiece is an AI engine trained to analyze a CAD model's characteristics, identify which machines are suitable for producing the part, generate collision-aware setups and toolpath strategies, and provide cost estimates. Rather than relying on generic templates, its rule-based AI adapts to the specific tooling a shop has on hand, making the output realistic for that environment. It integrates with Fusion CAM so the generated programming drops into a familiar pipeline, and its estimating capabilities help shops respond to job quotes with greater speed and accuracy.
In 2024 Al Whatmough, a former Autodesk Fusion product manager, joined as CEO, reinforcing the company's CAM credentials. Toolpath positions itself as a tool that frees experienced machinists from routine setup and programming so they can focus on the high-judgment decisions that genuinely require human expertise, helping address the manufacturing labor shortage.
Toolpath closed a $10 million seed round in September 2024 led by Leaders Fund, with participation from Tech Square Ventures, BLH Venture Partners and angels including Carl Bass (former Autodesk CEO), John Saunders and Chris Welch. In May 2025 it followed with a strategic investment round led by industrial tooling giant Kennametal, with CAM-technology supplier ModuleWorks also investing, deepening its ties to the manufacturing and tooling industry.