Innovation in Additive Manufacturing: A Look at the Top 3D Printing Startups of 2022

As we at 3Dnatives do every year, December marks the opportune moment to reflect on the most outstanding 3D printing startups that emerged and thrived throughout 2022. Over the past twelve months, we have engaged with a diverse range of innovators, including cutting-edge 3D printer manufacturers, visionary software developers, and dedicated distributors of advanced 3D solutions. Each of these companies plays a crucial role in optimizing the value chain within additive manufacturing, contributing significantly to its rapid evolution. Indeed, it is largely thanks to the ingenuity and fresh perspectives brought by these new creations and many others that the additive manufacturing sector has witnessed such tremendous market growth and technological advancements. Recognizing their pivotal contributions, we are excited to celebrate the end of the year by identifying the most innovative 3D startup of 2022, and for this, we eagerly solicit your participation and insights!

The opportunity to cast your vote for your favorite among our twelve distinguished candidates extends until December 31st. If you have already identified the startup that most impressed you this year, simply navigate to the voting section conveniently located at the end of this article and select the company you believe is most deserving of the 2022 Startup of the Year title. However, for those who wish to refresh their memory or learn more about these pioneering companies, we have thoughtfully included a comprehensive summary of the most important information for each featured 3D startup of the month. We encourage you to delve into their stories and innovations before making your final decision. Be sure to stay tuned, as the highly anticipated results of the vote will be officially announced on January 3rd, right here on 3Dnatives!

Vote directly for your favorite startup!

Personomic: Redefining Comfort in Cycling with Custom 3D Printed Grips

We began 2022 by highlighting a startup dedicated to revolutionizing sports equipment through the power of 3D printing. Germany-based Personomic is at the forefront of leveraging additive manufacturing to create highly customized bicycle handles. The primary objective of this young and dynamic company is to significantly enhance the comfort and performance of athletes during their cycling endeavors. By utilizing Rapid Shape’s advanced DLP (Digital Light Processing) 3D printers, Personomic is capable of manufacturing finely-detailed and ergonomically precise handles. This allows for a handlebar design that is not only unique but also meticulously tailored to the specific anatomical needs and preferences of each individual user. The company strongly emphasizes that 3D printing provides a crucial competitive advantage, enabling a much faster manufacturing process at a considerably lower cost compared to traditional production methods. This innovation addresses a significant market gap for personalized sports gear, where comfort and fit directly impact athletic performance and enjoyment.

Photo Credits: Personomic

Amadde: Democratizing Additive Manufacturing Through Accessible Education

Concurrently, Amadde is focused on a different, yet equally vital, aspect of the 3D printing ecosystem: democratizing its use through comprehensive education. Its independent learning platform has been meticulously developed to empower designers, engineers, and various professionals to gain a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the transformative role additive manufacturing plays in today’s industrial landscape. With just an internet connection, users can seamlessly connect to Amadde’s online platform, where they can not only book personalized consultancies with seasoned industry experts but also actively exchange views and knowledge via a dynamic forum. The company is committed to fostering widespread 3D printing training and has forged strategic partnerships with leading institutions in the market to further this mission. These collaborations enable the offering of live courses, providing professionals with the essential tools and knowledge to take decisive next steps in this rapidly evolving field, thereby bridging the skills gap and accelerating AM adoption across industries.

Photo Credits: Amadde

Pint: Advancing Metal 3D Printing with Next-Generation Titanium Alloys

Among the standout French startups we’ve had the pleasure of highlighting this year is Pint, recognized for its groundbreaking research and development in metallic materials specifically engineered for additive manufacturing. Pint’s recent endeavors have particularly centered on expanding the variety of high-performance titanium alloys available for 3D printing. This focus aims to significantly broaden the performance capabilities and functional gains achievable with 3D printed metal components, opening new possibilities for various demanding applications. According to the dedicated team at Pint, their core mission is to leverage their extensive knowledge and profound expertise in metallurgy and mechanical engineering to effectively address the complex material needs of diverse industries, with a strong emphasis on metal additive manufacturing. A particularly fascinating area of their work involves developments in the nascent field of 4D printing. These innovative parts exhibit the remarkable characteristic of being able to deform and then intelligently return to their initial, pre-programmed shape when exposed to a specific heat source, showcasing a dynamic functionality that could revolutionize smart materials and adaptive structures.

Photo Credits: Pint

Act’ble: Revolutionizing Ballet with 3D Printed Dance Shoes

Imagine the fusion of cutting-edge 3D printing technology with the timeless elegance of classical dance and ballet. This visionary concept is precisely what drives the German startup Act’ble, which is wholly dedicated to the additive manufacturing of dance shoes designed for enhanced comfort, superior stability, and extended durability. By ingeniously combining 3D printing with advanced materials and capitalizing on the unparalleled design freedom offered by this technology, Act’ble has created what they term “Act’pointes.” These innovative dance shoes are engineered to last up to five times longer than traditional pointe shoes, addressing a common pain point for professional dancers regarding shoe lifespan and consistency. Specifically, Act’ble has embraced Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) and utilized Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) to develop solutions that are not only more comfortable but also precisely adapted to the unique demands and needs of dancers. Their pioneering advancements in the challenging field of dance, coupled with their innovative application of 3D technologies, have rightfully earned Act’ble a prominent place among the top startups of 2022.

Photo Credits: Act’ble

Viewpointsystem: Smart Glasses for Enhanced Remote Maintenance with AM

Based in Vienna, Austria, Viewpointsystem stands out as an innovative startup dedicated to the additive manufacturing of smart glasses. But what exactly does this concept entail? Viewpointsystem’s cutting-edge smart glasses are designed to significantly assist users in the crucial task of remote maintenance for complex machinery and industrial systems. By providing an intuitive visual interface, these glasses instantly connect on-site employees with off-site experts in a matter of seconds, effectively eliminating the need for costly and time-consuming travel. This technology dramatically improves efficiency and response times in critical situations. For the intricate development and production of these advanced glasses, Viewpointsystem has strategically leveraged HP’s Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) technology, utilizing PA12 material. This material is specifically certified as biocompatible, making it perfectly suitable for prolonged contact with human skin, ensuring user comfort and safety. The company confidently asserts that 3D printing provides them with a profound competitive advantage, as it facilitates a much faster, on-demand production process at a significantly lower cost, allowing for agile development and deployment of their innovative smart eyewear solutions.

Photo Credits: Viewpointsystem

Think3DDD: Sustainable 3D Printed Orthotics for Animals and People

The Berlin-based startup Think3DDD is pioneering the application of additive manufacturing technologies to create sustainable, cost-effective, and highly customized orthoses and splints for both animals and people. Their unique 3D printing service is particularly notable for enabling the creation of specialized orthoses for pets, affectionately termed “VET orthi,” offering improved mobility and quality of life. The manufacturing process is meticulously designed for precision and personalization: it commences with a detailed 3D scan of the affected area, which then serves as the foundation for the precise digital design of the orthopedic part. Subsequently, this digital model is brought to life on a 3D printer, utilizing a semi-flexible, recyclable, or compostable material, underscoring Think3DDD’s commitment to environmental responsibility. A significant advantage highlighted by the company is that, thanks to selective automation in their processes, 3D printing orders for private users can be fulfilled at a remarkably low cost. This thoughtful and innovative solution carried out by Think3DDD aims to provide a better, more comfortable life for our beloved pets and potentially for humans as well, showcasing the compassionate side of advanced manufacturing.

Photo Credits: Think3DDD

Replique: Digitizing Inventory for On-Demand 3D Printed Spare Parts

As additive manufacturing continues its rapid advancement, many companies are eager to explore and test various technologies to identify which best aligns with their specific operational needs. Replique is an innovative startup that provides a critical solution by assisting Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in seamlessly converting their physical inventory into digital assets. This company was founded out of a clear necessity to address pressing challenges in the spare parts business, such as excessively long lead times, prohibitive minimum order quantities, and persistent supply chain disruptions. Replique’s ingenious approach to solving these issues lies in digitizing spare parts, thereby enabling their production on demand. This ensures that essential components can be manufactured and made available anywhere, at any time, significantly enhancing operational resilience and efficiency. They offer an intuitive and easy-to-use 3D printing platform that provides quick and convenient access to a wide array of different additive manufacturing technologies and materials. All of this is underpinned by their extensive global network and a strong, unwavering focus on data encryption, ensuring security and intellectual property protection throughout the entire process.

Photo Credits: Replique

AddCat: 3D Printed Reactors for Advanced Air Purification

AddCat is a pioneering Dutch startup that has innovatively combined metal additive manufacturing with catalytic oxidation principles to create highly efficient reactors capable of purifying air by destroying an impressive 95% of polluting components. The company excels at producing complex, optimized structures characterized by high thermal conductivity, an expansive surface area, and remarkably low-pressure drop. AddCat offers a high-performance, low-maintenance air purification technology specifically designed to assist industries grappling with significant pollutant emissions. Their primary focus is on effectively reducing harmful methane, ammonia, and various odor emissions, contributing to cleaner industrial air. Critically, these advanced reactors, which have been meticulously 3D printed with metal, would have been exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to manufacture using conventional techniques. The strategic integration of 3D printing into their process has provided AddCat with a substantial competitive advantage, as it enables the creation of reactors that are not only smaller in size but also allow for superior control over critical process parameters, such as thermal conductivity and heat exchange efficiency, leading to unparalleled performance in air purification.

Photo Credits: AddCat

TissueLabs: Advancing Bioprinting for Artificial Organ Creation

This next innovative startup is at the forefront of bioprinting, a groundbreaking field dedicated to the creation of intricate cellular structures using specialized bio-inks derived from stem cells. Advances in bioprinting hold immense promise for the creation of artificial organs, which are desperately needed by thousands of individuals worldwide who tragically die while awaiting a life-saving transplant. TissueLabs was born from the founder’s profound enthusiasm and a deeply personal desire to develop bioartificial hearts for transplantation. The company currently offers two state-of-the-art bioprinting systems: TissueStart™, an extrusion-based system known for its versatility, and TissueRay™, a stereolithography-based system prized for its high resolution and speed. Beyond just bioprinters, TissueLabs provides a comprehensive range of high-quality materials essential for these machines. Their offerings span from generic biomaterials to highly specialized hydrogels, specifically formulated for various tissues and organs, including bone, brain, cartilage, colon, kidney, liver, lung, muscle, myocardium, pancreas, and skin. These advanced hydrogels are conveniently available in both thermo-crosslinkable and photo-crosslinkable versions, catering to diverse research and clinical applications and pushing the boundaries of regenerative medicine.

Photo Credits: TissueLabs

Unlimited Tomorrow: Empowering Lives with 3D Printed Bionic Arms

Continuing our exploration of transformative 3D startups in the medical sector, in October, we introduced you to Unlimited Tomorrow, a remarkable company dedicated to creating advanced bionic prosthetic arms through the innovative application of 3D printing. The inspiring idea for this company was sparked by the profound passion of one of its founders, Easton LaChappelle, to experiment with the creation of robotic arms. Together with entrepreneur Tony Robbins, Easton LaChappelle co-founded Unlimited Tomorrow, channeling all available technology and resources to manufacture prosthetic arms of the highest quality at the lowest possible cost, making advanced prosthetics more accessible. Their flagship product, the “Truelimb,” is a groundbreaking prosthetic arm that weighs less than 600 grams, making it exceptionally lightweight and comfortable. It is designed for ease of attachment and removal, and its socket is both adjustable and breathable, ensuring a superior fit for various users. Available in hundreds of skin tones and colors, the Truelimb can be conveniently charged with a standard USB-C charger and boasts a battery life of several days. Beyond their commercial endeavors, the company has also been actively engaged in a compassionate project to send 3D printed prosthetics to individuals in Ukraine, demonstrating the humanitarian potential of their technology.

Photo Credits: Unlimited Tomorrow

F3nice: Sustainable Metal Powders from Recycled Scrap for 3D Printing

In virtually every industry today, the imperative of sustainability and addressing environmental concerns is a dominant theme, and additive manufacturing is unequivocally responding to this critical need. We illustrate this commitment with the outstanding example of the startup F3nice. This innovative Italian company is dedicated to producing high-quality, sustainable metal powder specifically designed for 3D printing applications. Their unique and environmentally conscious process involves meticulously collecting 100% of carefully selected scrap metal, which is then processed and transformed into premium powders suitable for further use in advanced additive manufacturing techniques. F3nice highlights several key advantages that additive manufacturing offers in conjunction with their sustainable materials: exceptional flexibility in the production of complex parts, unparalleled freedom of design, significantly reduced lead times, and overall cheaper and faster manufacturing processes. This holistic approach empowers manufacturers to create or repair parts on demand with localized production, thereby minimizing the environmental footprint and logistical complexities associated with ordering new components from distant global suppliers, fostering a more circular and sustainable manufacturing ecosystem.

Photo Credits: F3nice

PrintParts: Ensuring Authenticity and Traceability in 3D Printed Parts

Last but certainly not least in this comprehensive compilation of our top 3D printing startups of the month in 2022 is the New York-based company, PrintParts. In the rapidly evolving world of digital manufacturing, a significant concern often arises regarding the potential for counterfeiting 3D printed parts, primarily due to the ease with which digital files can be duplicated and potentially stolen. Furthermore, as additive manufacturing integrates into more critical supply chains, there’s an increasing demand from companies to rigorously verify the quality of their parts and the authenticity of materials throughout the entire production process, step by step. PrintParts has ingeniously provided a robust solution to both of these crucial market demands by developing “SmartParts.” This innovative solution is capable of seamlessly connecting digital assets with their corresponding physical parts, thereby ensuring unparalleled end-to-end traceability across the manufacturing lifecycle. Additionally, SmartParts offers the invaluable capability to verify the authenticity of both materials and finished parts with a simple, convenient manual scan, significantly enhancing supply chain integrity, quality assurance, and trust in the rapidly expanding domain of additive manufacturing.

Photo Credits: PrintParts

What do you think of our selection of leading 3D printing startups from 2022? These trailblazing companies are truly shaping the future of additive manufacturing and beyond. We invite you to share your thoughts, predictions, and any comments below or join the conversation on our LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages! Don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter here to receive the latest 3D printing news and insights straight to your inbox. You can also explore all our engaging videos and in-depth content on our YouTube channel. Thank you for being a part of the 3Dnatives community!