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Freeform Raises $67M to Revolutionize Metal 3D Printing with AI-Driven Innovations

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Tech investors continue to invest in innovations that allow the manufacturing of physical products with the same agility as software development. Freeform, a startup specializing in 3D printing metal components, has secured $67 million in Series B funding to enhance its manufacturing platform.

  • The financing round was supported by notable firms including Apandion, AE Ventures, Founders Fund, Linse Capital, Nvidia's NVentures, Threshold Ventures, and Two Sigma Ventures.
  • The funding will enable Freeform to upgrade its GoldenEye 3D printing system, capable of fusing metal powders using 18 lasers, to its next version, dubbed Skyfall. The Skyfall system plans to utilize hundreds of lasers for a massive increase in production capacity.
  • Erik Palitsch, CEO and co-founder, inspired by challenges faced while working at SpaceX, established Freeform in 2018 to make metal component printing more cost-efficient and scalable.
  • Freeform plans to leverage AI and advanced GPUs in partnership with Nvidia to perform real-time simulations and improve manufacturing workflows.
  • The company has accumulated substantial data on metal-printing physics, enhancing their production quality and efficiency.
  • Although specific clients are undisclosed, Freeform is already delivering numerous mission-critical components and aims to hire about 100 new staff to meet growing demand.
  • The trend of 'Manufacturing-as-a-Service' is growing, with other companies like Hadrian and VulcanForms also making strides in metal printing innovations and attracting significant investments.