Techstars, a Colorado-based venture capitalist firm, and Stanley Black & Decker, tool manufacturers with brands including DeWalt, have announced the first ten companies to be selected for the additive manufacturing accelerator, aka Techstars Class 131.
The STANLEY+Techstars Accelerator support and mentorship program launched in late 2017, with the aim to bring new technologies to the market with the help of 3D printing.
As part of Techstars Class 131, located at Stanley Black & Decker’s advanced manufacturing center in Hartford, Connecticut, the ten companies will receive funding towards new innovations in 3D printing, rapid prototyping, and generative design.
“Advances in materials and hardware allow for innovation and disruption in manufacturing,” stated Claudia Reuter, Techstars’ managing director of the new additive manufacturing accelerator.
“We were looking across the spectrum of what startups out there were doing.”
The Techstars Class 131
According to Tim Hatch, Chief Technology Officer at Stanley Engineered Fastening (SEF), Stanley Black & Decker has been on a 30-year mission to find new ways to implement additive manufacturing in the production process.
With this mission, Stanley Black & Decker, partnered with Techstars, who have provided seed funding for over 1500 technology startups.
After sifting through an undisclosed amount of applications spanning across 11 countries, Reuter has finalized ten startups from Ireland, Israel, Canada, and the U.S.
The participants include Micron3DP, an Israel-based company developing high-speed metal 3D printers.
MetalMaker 3D, a Connecticut-based company developing an affordable and scalable solution for metal additive manufacturing.
Calt Dynamics, an Ireland-based company creating socially beneficial 3D Printing Technology.
Structur3D Printing, an Ontario-based company developing soft 3D printing materials beyond plastic filaments.
Inventaprint, a New York-based product development platform for the hardware space.
Astroprint, a San Diego-based company providing a cloud platform empowering creators with 3D printers.
Kwambio, a New York-based ceramics 3D printing company.
NanoQuan, a Canadian company developing advanced nanomaterials.
Mani.me, a California-based manufacturer of ready-to-wear 3D printed nails,
And finally, Castor Technologies, an Israel-based company developing intelligent 3D printing software for manufacturing.
“[I] am proud of the strength of the companies and the diversity of their offerings and teams and am confident that this is going to be an amazing year for the companies, for the city of Hartford, for Stanley Black & Decker, and for Techstars!” said Reuter.
Resources within the STANLEY+Techstars Accelerator
All ten participants will be given $20,000 in funding in exchange for 6% of the company’s common stock and will be offered a $100,000 convertible note.
In addition, the participants will receive access to a range of 3D printing resources available at the Stanley Black & Decker’s advanced manufacturing center.
Prior to this partnership, Stanley Black & Decker streamlined its product production by implementing Autodesk generative design software to redesign a hydraulic crimper.
The partnership with Stanley Black & Decker is expected to have two more classes which will take place in the summer of 2019 and again in 2020.
Keep up with the latest 3D printing news by subscribing to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter. Also, follow us on Twitter, and like us on Facebook.
Looking for a change of pace? Seeking new talent for your business? Search and post 3D Printing Jobs for opportunities and new talent across engineering, marketing, sales and more.
Featured image shows the Stanley Black & Decker’s advanced manufacturing center in Hartford, Connecticut. Photo via Stanley Black & Decker.
