Event

Formnext invites applicants for the 2019 3D printing Start-up Challenge

Formnext, Europe’s leading additive manufacturing trade fair, and Germany’s UnternehmerTUM Center for Innovation and Business Creation have launched the Formnext Start-up Challenge for 2019.

Enterprises in the field of 3D printing with under five years of experience are now welcome to apply for the accolade, decided by a panel of industry professionals, including our editor-in-chief Michael Petch.

Speaking to the requirements for the challenges Tobias Kuhl, Senior Project Leader at UnternehmerTUM and panel member, stated:

“We are looking for companies that solve a genuine customer problem. This might be by delivering considerable time and cost savings, improving the quality of the end product significantly, or by increasing the user-friendliness and accessibility of AM.”

Exhibition floor on day one of Formnext 2018.
Exhibition floor on day one of Formnext 2018. Photo via 3D Printing Industry.

The Formnext Start-up Challenge 2019

2019 will be fifth year the show has held the Formnext Start-up Challenge for budding 3D printing businesses. According to Sascha F. Wenzler, Vice President at the Formnext exhibtion “Over the past five years, the Start-up Challenge has evolved into an internationally acclaimed competition, attracting start-ups from all around the world.” The main aim is to accelerate the business development of promising upcoming 3D printing companies.

All businesses founded after December 31, 2013, with a product or service that is market-ready regarding customers, product status, and revenue are eligible to apply. This is at the exception of any start-ups majority-owned by an already established company.

The top five companies selected from applicants will be awarded with a Formnext exhibition and marketing package which includes, a fully equipped 9 m² exhibition booth in the Formnext 2019 Start-up Area, and inclusion in all relevant and worldwide
Formnext marketing and communication activities.

The companies will also win the opportunity to take part in a pitch to receive business coaching. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to meet potential customers, investors, and experts from the additive manufacturing sector.

Formnext start-up winners

In 2018 the winners of the Formnext Start-up Challenge brought a variety of solutions to the industry, including advanced composite manufacturing, and multi-material SLS. These five past winners selected by the panel are listed below:

Fortify, a Boston-based Digital Composite Manufacturing (DCM) company behind “a  microparticle-reinforced, high-resolution additive manufacturing composite platform.”
Aerosint, the Belgian developer of an alternative recoater than enables multimaterial 3D printing using SLS.
– AMendate, a German provider of fully automated topology optimization software
– Kumovis, a spin-off from the Technical University of Munich developing medical 3D printing systems and,
Nanogrande, Montreal developers of nanoscale 3D printing technology.

Other previous Formnext Start-up Challenge winners, now somewhat well-established within the industry, include 3D printing software company,3YOURMIND, automated post-processing provider DyeMansion, and SLS 3D printer manufacturer, Sinterit.

A sample of RAL colored 3D prints. Photo via DyeMansion
A sample of RAL colored 3D prints. Photo via DyeMansion.

Apply Now

The deadline for applications for the Formnext Start-up Challenge 2019 is June 30th and the winners will be announced in the fall. Interested start-ups can apply online here.

We wish everyone the best of luck and look forward to seeing you all at Formnext 2019 19th – 22nd of November 2019.

Remember, it’s not too late to cast your votes for the 2019 3D Printing Industry Awards.

Also, subscribe to our 3D printing newsletter and follow us Facebook and Twitter for the latest additive manufacturing updates. Visit our 3D Printing Jobs board to find out more about opportunities in additive manufacturing.

Featured image shows 3yourmind’s winning trophy for the 2016 Formnext Start-Up Challenge. Photo by Michael Petch.