Shapeways 3D printing facility.
3D printing marketplace, Shapeways has today announced a $30M Series E led by Lux Capital to accelerate growth and launch additional services that will help creators to design and sell regardless of 3D modelling experience.
The funding from participants including Union Square Ventures, INKEF Capital and Andreessen Horowitz will enable Shapeways to expand its current services, addressing both creative and business pain points for its users, affirming Shapeways' recently appointed CEO Gregory Kress's vision to enable anyone with an idea to create "regardless of technical know-how or access to industrial technology".
The first program to come out of the expansion will be Design With Shapeways which will offer one-on-one support during the 3D modelling process whether that be helping to materialise an idea or optimising a file.
Shapeways is also unveiling Spring & Wonder, a custom jewellery collection that will allow users to personalise the look, material and design of each piece. Designed to demonstrate the potential for Shapeways' upcoming modelling tools, Spring & Wonder is the first of a number of in-house showcase brands to be announced this year across a range of product categories.
Shapeways reportedly receives 140,000 uploads each month, and many of its users are designers who have set up their own small businesses through the platform. Shapeways is building on this by offering an end-to-end service that will help creators successfully scale into small businesses via Shapeways through brand development, website design, marketing support, merchandising and customer service. More details are to be released later this year but Shapeways currently has clients in beta testing creating products in the outdoor recreation space.
"Millions of people have brought their product ideas to life with Shapeways thanks to the company's unparalleled 3D printing expertise, scale and capability," shared Zack Schildhorn, partner at Lux Capital. "The plan is to put this product creation engine in the hands of millions more, through more approachable and expansive services. Life-changing businesses will be built on this platform."
"We've just hit our 10 millionth product printed but we are just getting started, there is so much more to do," added Kress. "We want to enable more creators to reach success and this will include supporting them through design services, manufacturing beyond just 3D printing and helping them create small businesses."
