Chinese 3D printer manufacturer Bambu Lab has introduced the Let’s Make It Fund, a grant program designed to empower makers by providing financial, technical, and promotional support for ambitious projects. The initiative reflects the company’s longstanding belief that innovation flourishes when creators collaborate and inspire one another.
Early supporters of Bambu Lab’s X1 demonstrated how community enthusiasm can drive growth, transforming a group of backers into active partners who help shape and advance new ideas.
Supporting Ideas with Real-World Impact
The program is open to any creator with a compelling concept capable of turning “the impossible” into reality. The emphasis is on the strength of the idea itself rather than on credentials, background, or access to specific tools. Submissions are welcomed continuously, with no deadlines or limits, and participants do not need to own a Bambu Lab printer to qualify.
Projects are evaluated according to three core principles: originality, the potential to bring positive impact, and practical feasibility. Whether a project improves lives, inspires others, contributes to education, or provides social value, the fund aims to support initiatives that push boundaries and make a tangible difference.
Funding, Collaboration, and Knowledge Sharing
Selected creators may receive grants ranging from a few thousand dollars up to $300,000, with the possibility of larger awards for projects with significant scope. Beyond financial backing, recipients can access technical guidance and promotional support to help bring their ideas to fruition and share their progress.
Participants are encouraged to document their development process and share it with the broader maker community, helping to foster a cycle of learning and inspiration. By connecting resources, guidance, and visibility, the Let’s Make It Fund functions not only as a source of support but also as a platform for collective growth within the global maker ecosystem.
Expanding Support for 3D Printing Enthusiasts
Building on the same spirit of empowering creators as Bambu Lab’s Let’s Make It Fund, other companies are developing platforms and programs to support 3D printing enthusiasts. Elegoo, a Shenzhen-based manufacturer of 3D printers, laser engravers, and STEM kits, has launched Nexprint, an open-source 3D model platform that simplifies access to designs and streamlines the printing process. The platform allows users to browse, download, and share models across multiple slicers and printer systems, while contributors benefit from points-based rewards, competitions, and community support.
In 2024, CMF by Nothing partnered Bambu Lab for a contest centered on the CMF Phone 1, inviting designers to develop custom components for the phone’s modular architecture. Hosted on MakerWorld, participants were provided with STEP files and technical specifications to support the creation of precise, functional designs.
The competition awarded winners in three categories: Best Functional, Best-Looking, and Most Unexpected.In this competition, Bambu Labs selected the designs of BuildyBryce, emanuelebargione, JEP, and wuguigui.
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Featured image shows The Bambu Lab H2D’s digital cutter. Image via Bambu Lab.
