It’s been years in the making. Thousands of start-up 3D printing companies were researched and evaluated for potential funding. Millions of Euros were gathered from global investors eager to participate. Finally today, at €100 million, AM Ventures’ additive manufacturing venture capital fund reached its monetary goal.
Now, AM Ventures will focus on fostering more growth from its portfolio of start-ups and scouting the next success story in 3D printing.
Reaching a goal of €100 million ($102 million) is not only a milestone for the Munich-based venture capital firm, which grew from a private firm of the Langer family, owners of 3D printer maker EOS, to a multi-LP venture capital firm. It represents a validation, the company says, of its mission to lead a sustainable additive revolution fueled by start-ups.
Besides multi-million investments from well-established family offices, asset managers, SMEs, and multinational corporations, the start-up founders who have already been supported by AM Ventures are also among the investors. Although the AM Ventures fund, which opened to investors in March 2021, is the first of its kind dedicated exclusively to additive manufacturing, global capital investment in 3D printing has surged.
Investment in Industrial 3D Printing is a Strong Business Opportunity
In 2021, AM Ventures participated in four follow-on financing rounds with existing portfolio companies, including Lightforce Orthodontics and Conflux Technology, and led three investment rounds in 3D printing companies MetShape, Scrona, and Headmade Materials.
“We have been observing Headmade Materials for quite some time and are impressed by the company’s development in the last few years,” says Arno Held, AM Ventures co-founder and managing partner. “We are very excited to now have become part of the Headmade journey and to take the next steps together.”
Not just any start-up with a good idea makes it into the AM Ventures portfolio of start-ups. Although companies range from hardware and materials to software and applications, the common thread is sustainability. Companies must prove their innovation can save energy and materials in manufacturing, produce parts and products that help others become more sustainable, or enable the digitization of manufacturing, according to AM Ventures.
“The additive manufacturing industry has shown steady and strong growth over the last decade and startups have played a crucial role during this time,” says Held. “We are convinced that startups will continue to be key in providing the innovation required to finally bring the digital world to the real world and that they will help to produce industrial goods in a sustainable manner and thus strengthen supply chains and tackle climate change.”
Current Start-Ups in the AM Ventures Portfolio:
- Vectorflow: Maker of fluid-dynamic metrology devices
- Conflux Technology: Additively manufactured heat exchangers
- LightForce Orthodontics: A digital platform providing orthodontists with fully customized, 3D printed tooth-moving tools
- Additive Drives: Designs and manufacturing of electric motors using 3D printing
- Lithoz: Maker of 3D printers and materials for 3D printed ceramics
- DyeMansion: 3D printed part post-processing materials and equipment
- Cubicure: Maker of materials, equipment, and processes for “Hot Lithography” industrial 3D printing
- Sintratec: Maker of SLS 3D printers and software
- Incus: Maker of lithography-based metal additive manufacturing machines
- Exmet: Maker of metal additive manufacturing technology
- Elementum 3D: Maker of metal powder materials for additive manufacturing
- Spectroplast: An on-demand service for end-use silicone products
- 3YourMind: Additive manufacturing workflow software
- MetShape: 3D printer of small, high-precision metal components
- Headmade Materials: Offers sinter-based cold metal fusion technology for metal 3D printed parts
- Scrona: Electrostatic multi-nozzle printing technology for additive microfabrication
Lead image source: German startup Headmade Materials co-founders Christian Staudigel and Christian Fischer.
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