BASF Forward AM Innovation Award: Empowering Sustainable Additive Manufacturing Startups Globally

In a significant development for the global additive manufacturing sector, BASF Forward AM, the specialized subsidiary of the German chemical giant BASF dedicated to advanced materials and industrial 3D printing solutions, has officially announced the launch of the Forward AM Innovation Award. This pioneering initiative marks a historic milestone as the first-ever international competition designed specifically to recognize and elevate young startups that are revolutionizing product development through additive manufacturing. The award aims to spotlight companies leveraging 3D technologies across various stages, from initial rapid prototyping to final, high-volume production. It seeks to celebrate innovative applications that demonstrate creativity, scalability, and a profound commitment to sustainable practices.

BASF’s strategic focus on additive manufacturing through its Forward AM brand underscores its vision for a future where advanced materials and sophisticated manufacturing processes drive industrial innovation. By establishing this competition, Forward AM is not merely observing the evolution of 3D printing; it is actively shaping it by empowering the next generation of entrepreneurial talent. Startups worldwide are invited to submit their applications, with the deadline set for March 28. To immediately support the burgeoning ecosystem of 3D printing startups, the first 100 eligible applicants will receive a valuable Fusion 360 license. This industry-standard 3D modeling software license will be valid until June 30, 2021, providing crucial design capabilities to help these early-stage companies advance their projects and concepts.

The core mission of the Forward AM Innovation Award is to discover, champion, and mentor young entrepreneurs who are not only utilizing 3D printing but are doing so in an innovative, environmentally responsible, and commercially scalable manner within their ventures. The integrity and significance of this award are profoundly enhanced by an exceptionally qualified jury, comprising influential leaders and experts from across the additive manufacturing landscape. This distinguished panel includes representatives from leading entities such as AMPOWER, AMT, Autodesk, HP, Photocentric, Sculpteo, and Ultimaker. The diverse expertise of these companies, spanning hardware, software, materials, and service bureaus, guarantees a comprehensive and insightful evaluation of all submitted applications, ensuring that only the most promising and impactful innovations are recognized.

Beyond the esteemed jury, the competition benefits from the active participation of several key organizations providing invaluable support and strategic guidance. These include AM Ventures and BASF Venture Capital, offering critical investment insights and potential funding pathways; Deloitte, contributing expertise in business strategy and market development; and the Women in 3D Printing community, actively promoting diversity and inclusion within the industry. This powerful collective brings a wealth of experience, ensuring that participating startups receive not just exposure, but also actionable advice, mentorship, and potential opportunities for collaboration and capital. Each jury member and supporting partner will play an active role, sharing their specialized knowledge, meticulously selecting nominated companies, and conducting private coaching sessions tailored to the specific challenges and growth opportunities of the participating startups. The competition boasts an impressive prize pool, with rewards totaling up to €185,000 (approximately $224,202 USD), generously provided by the sponsoring companies. This substantial investment underscores the industry’s commitment to nurturing groundbreaking ideas and fostering the growth of the next generation of additive manufacturing pioneers.

Sustainable and Responsible Additive Manufacturing Takes Center Stage

A cornerstone of the Forward AM Innovation Award is its unwavering focus on sustainability. This competition is specifically designed to identify and celebrate startups that have developed and integrated sustainable applications through 3D printing, whether these practices are embedded within their product design processes or their broader production methodologies. In today’s global landscape, where environmental stewardship is increasingly critical, advocating for eco-conscious manufacturing methods is not merely a competitive edge but an essential responsibility. Additive manufacturing inherently offers significant advantages in sustainability, such as vastly reduced material waste due to its ‘add-on’ nature, the ability to create optimized, lightweight designs that save energy in various applications, and on-demand production capabilities that minimize inventory, warehousing needs, and transportation emissions. By highlighting these forward-thinking approaches, the award aims to accelerate the widespread adoption of greener, more resource-efficient practices across the entire manufacturing sector.

Securing this prestigious award can provide a startup with invaluable validation for its sustainable initiatives, offering the crucial impetus needed to implement and expand its innovative solutions over the long term. Such recognition from industry leaders can unlock significant opportunities, including access to further investment, strategic partnerships, and enhanced market visibility. However, the benefits extend beyond just the ultimate winner. Even companies that do not claim the grand prize stand to gain substantially. For instance, the four finalists will each receive a significant prize package valued at €20,000 (approximately $24,528.94) in goods and services. More critically, they will benefit from access to an extensive networking base, personalized coaching sessions from top industry experts, and prominent marketing exposure for a period of two months. This comprehensive support structure is meticulously designed to equip all finalists with the necessary tools, connections, and visibility to significantly propel their businesses forward, regardless of the final outcome of the competition.

The competition culminates in a highly anticipated final event in June, where the triumphant startup will be awarded the grand prize of €80,000 (approximately $96,858 USD) in goods and services. This substantial prize can be strategically selected from the extensive catalog provided by the award’s esteemed sponsors, allowing the winner to customize resources to precisely fit their operational and developmental needs. Furthermore, the grand winner will be granted an exclusive and invaluable opportunity to meet directly with influential investors from AM Ventures and BASF Venture Capital. This dedicated meeting offers direct access to venture capitalists who specialize in the additive manufacturing space, potentially securing crucial funding and forging strategic partnerships that can serve as a catalyst for rapid growth and expanded market reach for the promising startup.

In addition to the overarching grand prize, the Forward AM Innovation Award recognizes excellence through two other significant categories. The first is the distinguished Deloitte Prize, which includes a cash award of €10,000 (approximately $12,106 USD) to the startup that demonstrates the most compelling and robust sustainable development strategy. This prize highlights the critical importance of integrating environmental and social considerations into core business models. The second is the engaging Public Prize, designed to foster community involvement and support. This award will be presented to the startup that receives the highest number of public votes during the final event in June, accompanied by an additional €15,000 (approximately $18,159 USD) in goods and services. This prize not only rewards public appeal but also encourages broader engagement within the additive manufacturing community. The window for applications remains open until March 28, 2021. Entrepreneurs globally are strongly encouraged to submit their innovative proposals via the dedicated website, accessible HERE. To amplify the event’s reach and foster vibrant online discussion, the official hashtag #ForwardAMaward is being actively promoted across all social media platforms.

Forward AM Innovation Award Eligibility Criteria and Key Timeline Milestones

To ensure the Forward AM Innovation Award effectively targets and supports truly nascent and impactful businesses, precise eligibility criteria have been established. For a startup to qualify for this prestigious competition, it must have been formally founded less than five years prior to the application deadline. Additionally, the company’s workforce should comprise fewer than 50 employees. These parameters are meticulously designed to focus on genuine startups still within their foundational or early-growth phases, where the award’s resources, mentorship, and exposure can yield the most transformative impact. A fundamental requirement for all applicants is the demonstrable utilization of 3D printing technologies as an integral part of their product design, development, or production processes. This core criterion ensures that the competition remains aligned with its mission to highlight significant advancements and innovative applications within additive manufacturing.

The competition thoughtfully extends its eligibility to include spin-off companies originating from universities or accredited research institutions. This inclusive approach acknowledges the pivotal role that academic research often plays in driving cutting-edge technological innovation and actively encourages the commercialization of groundbreaking ideas emerging from these environments. Conversely, it is crucial for potential applicants to understand the specific exclusions: startups primarily focused on the development and commercialization of 3D printers, 3D software solutions, or raw 3D printing materials are not eligible to participate. The rationale behind this distinction is clear: the Forward AM Innovation Award is specifically curated to showcase novel *applications* and innovative uses of additive manufacturing technologies in end products, rather than the foundational tools or raw substances themselves. This focused approach ensures the award celebrates ingenuity in product development, market implementation, and the creative deployment of 3D printing capabilities, differentiating it from other industry recognitions.

The timeline for the Forward AM Innovation Award is meticulously structured to facilitate a comprehensive yet efficient selection process, ensuring fairness and thoroughness at every stage. Following the application deadline of March 28, the journey for aspiring startups unfolds as follows: The initial selection of the top startups will be announced on April 14, marking a significant first step for many contenders. Subsequently, the pool will be further narrowed down to the semi-finalists on April 28. On the very same date, the four most promising finalist startups will be officially chosen. These four finalists will immediately begin to benefit from significant resources, including the aforementioned prize package of €20,000 (approximately $24,528.94) in goods and services, coupled with an intensive two-month period of dedicated support, unparalleled networking opportunities, and personalized coaching from industry veterans. This critical support phase will span throughout May and June, providing invaluable assistance as these companies refine their business strategies and perfect their pitches. The culmination of the competition will occur on June 30, when these four finalist startups will have the unique opportunity to present their innovative solutions and compelling business cases directly to the esteemed jury. Following these pivotal presentations, the jury will meticulously deliberate and then proudly announce the grand winner, marking the triumphant conclusion of months of rigorous effort and pioneering innovation. A comprehensive timeline, detailing all key dates and events, is readily accessible on the competition’s dedicated website. For those seeking a more dynamic overview and additional insights, a compelling video presentation is also available below, offering further details about the award and its ambitious goals for the future of additive manufacturing:

 

For individuals and businesses keen to delve deeper into the innovative world of Forward AM and its extensive portfolio of advanced additive manufacturing materials and solutions, comprehensive information can be found on their official website, readily accessible HERE. We strongly encourage all interested parties, especially aspiring entrepreneurs within the dynamic 3D printing space, to explore this invaluable resource to understand the depth of BASF’s commitment to the industry. Are you inspired by the incredible potential and opportunities presented by the Forward AM Innovation Award? Have you considered applying, or do you have profound insights into the future trajectory of sustainable additive manufacturing? We warmly invite you to share your thoughts and perspectives in a comment below or join the vibrant conversation on our Facebook and Twitter pages! To stay truly informed and ahead of the curve in the rapidly evolving landscape of 3D printing, remember to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter here, ensuring the very latest industry news, trends, and breakthroughs are delivered directly to your inbox. Your active participation and engagement are instrumental as we collectively shape and advance the exciting future of additive manufacturing.