3Dprintler Continues to Forge Ahead with Seven-Figure Angel Funding; Releases 3Dprintler Button

3Dprintler is a dynamic company that we’ve had the pleasure of following for quite some time now, and their successes have continued to pile up. This winter, they were riding high after a great showing at CES Las Vegas in January. Now, as snowy skies begin to consider lessening, and the ground begins to think about turning green again—we can all really begin to think about starting the new year for real. And certainly nothing allows a blooming company like 3Dprintler to do that better than with an infusion of cash—to the tune of seven figures, from a private entity in the tech world. They ensure that with those funds, they’ll be able to grow nicely over the next 18 months.

Last we checked in with 3Dprintler, they had just launched new services which would reinvent them as a company offering a helpful 3D printing search engine/price comparison tool to help their users make better choices—and shortly after that they began expanding in Paris showing off their wares to educators, explaining how kids could use their services to learn more about the business side of 3D printing, which could be a crucial complement to the new skillsets they are gaining as the emphasis on STEM gains traction globally.

“So many features could improve the 3D printing experience on the e-commerce, customers service, and distribution side. That’s what we’re working on next,” 3Dprintler’s Tomek Sysak told 3DPrint.com.

Their windfall in angel funding is in no way thanks to the Canadian government and the 3Dprintler team is obviously a bit disgruntled from that end—as well as quite vocal about their country’s lack of help.

“3Dprintler is graciously accepting a private sector contribution of nearly seven figures from an angel investor in the high tech industry,” states the team on their latest blog. “This is in contrast to the help we received from the Canadian government IRAP (Industrial Research Assistance Program), which is to say nothing.”

“In a region that features the hugely successful e-commerce startup Shopify, as well as Ottawa-Gatineau’s history as a North American high-tech hub, we hoped for a better reception for our innovative 3D printing e-commerce platform that we launched in January 2016.”

Never at a standstill however, the company points out that their latest offering for users is the 3Dprintler button. This is the ultimate in letting the 3Dprintler platform do the work behind the scenes for you in price comparison. All shoppers have to do is enjoy the fun of customizing their designs online, hit the 3Dprintler button, and see what prices pop up.

“Instantly it’ll do the price comparison shopping for you on having the product made and shipped to your door. It gets you the best price. Always. Like Kayak for 3D printing stuff,” states the 3Dprintler team, also pointing out that 3D printing can often happen on the same day your order—with products arriving as quickly as the next day.

They point out that with this new feature, designers around the world can become distributors. This gives them even greater opportunity to offer custom products based on their designs

“Once integrated, hundreds, thousands, and potentially millions of consumers can directly shop for the product with the business going to local 3D printing service providers at the click of a button,” states 3Dprintler, offering that with hundreds of materials available through 3D printing services like Shapeways, Scultpeo, and i.materialise, indeed it seems as if options are infinite.

More savvy consumers and designers can also look toward using the following materials for special products:

• Steel
• Aluminum
• Plastic
• Ceramics
• Gold
• Platinum

With the new investment funds, their expansion will continue and their goal is to offer the largest selection of providers available in North America and Europe, reminding us all that the more providers there are, the more opportunities will exist for 3D designers who are driven to make an income from their passion.

“Investment for 3Dprintler means we can continue developing the future of additive manufacturing for everyone,” says the 3Dprintler team, who admits that they have indeed suffered a bit for their craft, living in cramped quarters, eating Ramen, and working from home.

They are hoping Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will hear them, take note, and continue in a liberal agenda, working to ease what they consider to be a burden on entrepreneurs in Canada. Certainly all of their users appreciate the sacrifices they’ve made, and with this new investment money, they should be able to continue their great work–at least for the next couple of years. What do you think of the sacrifices 3Dprintler is making to keep 3D innovation going? Discuss in the 3Dprintler Receives Seven Figures forum over at 3DPB.com.