Where in the world are 3D Printing startups? Q2 2017

The analyses below summarize where 3D Printing innovations are occurring. The graphic includes data through March 2017.

The above map shows the number of 3D Printing companies located in different countries. The United States ranks as the top country with around 175 companies.

The above map shows the amount of total 3D Printing startup venture capital funding in different countries. The United States has the most VC funding at around $1.1B.

We are currently tracking 377 3D Printing companies in 9 categories across 40 countries, with a total of $1.4B in funding. Click here to learn more about the full 3D Printing market report.

3D Printing Technology Companies Founded by Year – Q2 2017

The following graph shows the founding year distribution in the 3D Printing Technology sector. The graphic includes data through March 2017.

3D Printing Technology Companies Founded by Year

The above graph summarizes the number of 3D Printing Technology companies founded in a certain year. 2013 ranks at the top with around 83 companies founded in that year alone. 2012 is the runner-up with 41 companies founded in that year.

We are currently tracking 377 3D Printing Technology companies in 9 categories across 40 countries, with a total of $1.4 Billion in funding. Click here to learn more about the full 3D Printing Technology market report.

3D Printing Technology Funding Trends – Q2 2017

The following graphs highlight recent trends in 3D Printing startup funding activity. The graphics include data through March 2017.

The above graph summarizes the total funding raised by 3D Printing startups for each year. 2015 is the best year with over $350M in funding. 2016 comes in at second with around $275M in funding.

The above graph summarizes the total amount of funding raised by 3D Printing companies founded in a certain year. Companies founded in 2013 have raised the most funding at just over $350M.

We are currently tracking 377 3D Printing companies in 9 categories across 40 countries, with a total of $1.4 Billion in funding. Click here to learn more about the full 3D Printing report.

3D Printing Technology Funding by Round – Q1 2017

The following two graphs summarize the rounds of funding going into the 3D Printing Technology space. Please note these graphics are made using data through March 2017.

3D Printing Technology Funding Amount by Round

The graph above shows the total amount of VC funding broken out by round. From 2006 to 2016, we saw a sharp increase in the overall sector funding, with the total amount peaking in 2015 and then declining thereafter. Series A, B, and C funding have accounted for a substantial amount of total funding.

3D Printing Technology Funding Count by Round

The graph above shows the total count of funding events broken out by round. The general trend over the past few years has been a substantial number of funding events in the Seed stage and a fewer number in the Series A stage, with the funding events in the later stages quickly dropping off.

We are currently tracking 376 3D Printing companies in 9 categories across 40 countries, with a total of $1.4 Billion in funding. Click here to learn more about the full 3D Printing market report.

3D Printing Activity by Selected Investors – Q1 2017

The following graph summarizes investor activity in the 3D Printing space. Please note these graphics are made using data through March 2017.

The above analysis summarizes the total number of investment rounds 3D Printing investors participated in, and the number of unique companies funded by selected investors. Lux Capital takes the lead in both metrics, with 9 total investments into the space and 5 companies backed. Other major investors include North Bridge, Matrix Partners, and Atlas Ventures.

We are currently tracking 376 3D Printing companies in 9 categories across 40 countries, with a total of $1.4 Billion in funding. Click here to learn more about the full 3D Printing market report.

3D Printing Technology Market Overview and Innovation Quadrant – Q1 2017

The following post highlights how Venture Scanner categorizes the 3D Printing Technology startup landscape, and presents our Innovation Quadrant showing how those categories compare to one another. The data for this post is through March 2017.

The above sector map organizes the sector into 9 categories and shows a sampling of companies in each category.

Our Innovation Quadrant provides a snapshot of the average funding and average age for the different 3D Printing Technology categories and how they compare with one another.

• Heavyweights: These categories are comprised of companies that have reached maturity with significant financing.
• Established: These categories are comprised of companies that have reached maturity with less financing.
• Disruptors: These categories are comprised of companies that are less mature with significant financing.
• Pioneers: These categories are comprised of companies that are less mature with earlier stages of financing.

The definitions of the 3D Printing Technology categories are as follows

3D Printer Manufacturers: Companies that manufacture 3D printers and accompanying hardware (e.g. injection heads). There are numerous players in this space from large incumbents, to emerging crowdfunded projects.

3D Printing Applications: Companies that highlight specific use cases and advantages of 3D printing (e.g. mass customization). Emerging trends in the space are health, dental, consumer applications (e.g. custom eyewear), rapid manufacturing.

3D Printing CAD Software: Computer Aided Design software that enables users to upload, create, and modify 3D models. Some of the newer CAD software can be used directly through the browser, reducing friction for e-commerce websites or consumer facing services.

3D Printing Communities: Groups and websites that organize multiple users around 3D printing.

3D Printing Marketplaces: Marketplaces that connect two parties around 3D printing products and services. This can include the finalized 3D products (e.g. jewelry, action figures), CAD files, and proposals (e.g. designers looking for bids from manufacturers).

3D Printing Materials: Providers of 3D printing materials such as proprietary plastic filament (e.g. acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) or resin.

3D Printing Networks: 3D printing networks connect to printers via the cloud and enable features such as wireless printing and job reporting.

3D Printing Services: Companies in this category provide 3D printing as an outsourced service for their customers. Services can vary on a spectrum from consulting (e.g. design, create, scan, print) to only managing one aspect of the value chain (e.g. upload your design to print, scanning service only).

3D Scanners: Companies that manufacture scanning equipment used to create digital models of 3D objects. Models can then be reprinted or modified and shared using compatible software. Includes industrial 3D scanners, consumer-focused scanners, and do-it-yourself scanners on crowdfunding websites.

We are currently tracking 375 3D Printing Technology companies in 9 categories across 41 countries, with a total of $1.4 Billion in funding. Click here to learn more about the full 3D Printing Technology report and database.

3D Printing Technology Exits by Category and by Year – Q1 2017

The following graphs highlight the exit activity in the 3D Printing Technology sector. The graphics include data through March 2017.

Exit Activity by Category in 3D Printing Technology

The above graph summarizes the number of exits (acquisitions and IPOs) in each 3D Printing Technology category. The 3D Printer Manufacturers category leads the sector with 5 acquisitions and 8 IPOs. The 3D Printing Services category is the runner-up with 7 acquisitions and 3 IPOs.

Exit Activity by Year in 3D Printing Technology

The above graph summarizes the number of exits (acquisitions and IPOs) in 3D Printing Technology by year. 2014 currently leads the sector with 8 acquisitions and 1 IPO. 2013 is the runner-up with 5 acquisitions and 2 IPOs.

We are currently tracking 375 3D Printing Technology companies in 9 categories across 41 countries, with a total of $1.4 Billion in funding. Click here to learn more about the full 3D Printing Technology landscape report and database.