BASF Forward AM Innovation Award: Celebrating 3D Printing’s Most Disruptive Startups

At the close of January, Forward AM, the innovative brand of BASF 3D Printing Solutions, initiated an international contest designed to spotlight start-ups leveraging 3D printing for groundbreaking concepts. The response was overwhelming, with a remarkable 145 applications pouring in from 36 diverse countries around the globe. After an intensive selection process, we are now thrilled to announce the four outstanding finalists for the “Forward AM Innovation Award”: Cosm Medical, HILOS, SYOS, and WYVE. These visionary companies are set to present their innovative solutions and compelling visions on June 30th during an exclusive virtual event. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet the finalists, engage with the contest’s distinguished sponsors and partners, and witness live as the most innovative start-up is crowned, walking away with the impressive 80,000-euro grand prize! Secure your free registration today HERE.

The Power of Additive Manufacturing: Fueling Startup Innovation

The global landscape is teeming with entrepreneurial ventures that harness additive manufacturing (AM) for an astonishing array of applications. This transformative technology offers unparalleled flexibility and customization capabilities, far surpassing traditional production methods. Today, AM is not merely a prototyping tool; it empowers companies to produce high-performance, end-use parts, leading to a vast spectrum of highly customizable, innovative, and scalable products across numerous industries. From personalized medical devices to eco-conscious consumer goods, 3D printing is at the forefront of driving market growth and technological advancement. Recognizing and rewarding these pioneering start-ups is paramount, especially when considering the sheer volume and diversity of applications submitted to the Forward AM Innovation Award, spanning critical sectors such as automotive, medical, and consumer electronics.

A Global Quest for Innovation: The Forward AM Innovation Award Journey

The Forward AM Innovation Award benefits from the robust backing of several influential industry sponsors, including AMPOWER, AMT, Autodesk, HP, Photocentric, Sculpteo, and Ultimaker. Furthermore, it is supported by a strong network of collaborators such as AM Ventures, BASF Venture Capital GmbH, Deloitte, and Women in 3D Printing. This collective expertise played a crucial role in the rigorous selection process, initially shortlisting 16 semi-finalist start-ups last April, before meticulously narrowing the field down to the four extraordinary finalists. Each of these finalists is not only vying for the grand prize but has already been awarded 20,000 euros worth of invaluable goods and services, redeemable from the sponsors’ extensive catalogs. Beyond financial and material support, they also receive bespoke individual coaching sessions with leading market experts, providing them with critical insights and strategic guidance to accelerate their growth.

François Minec, Managing Director of BASF 3D Printing Solutions, articulated the ethos behind the award, stating: “On purpose, BASF 3D Printing Solutions is designed as a start-up by BASF New Business where we live by a strong start up culture. Start-ups take a blue-sky approach to new applications and market opportunities, without any inflexible legacy structures that may constrain the development and adoption of new techniques and technologies. We already know that start-ups are harnessing the advantages of Additive Manufacturing to disrupt a broad spectrum of industries and are significantly accelerating the adoption of 3D printing. Our warmest thanks to all the Forward AM Innovation Award sponsors and supporters who share our passion and vision!” His words underscore the profound belief within BASF that start-ups are key accelerators of innovation, unburdened by traditional constraints and uniquely positioned to push the boundaries of what’s possible with 3D printing.

 

Meet the Visionaries: The Four Finalists of the Forward AM Innovation Award

The international contest proudly presents Cosm Medical, HILOS, SYOS, and WYVE as its four distinguished finalist start-ups. Each will deliver a compelling virtual pitch on June 30th, showcasing their innovative vision and the tangible impact of their 3D printing applications. Attendees will also have the unique opportunity to cast their vote for their favorite start-up, influencing who receives the coveted Public’s Choice Award. But who are these trailblazing companies, and what groundbreaking applications have they developed? Dive deeper into their stories below!

Cosm Medical: Revolutionizing Women’s Pelvic Health

Founded in Canada in 2017, Cosm Medical is at the forefront of transforming women’s healthcare by creating custom 3D printed pessaries made from medical-grade silicone. These personalized devices are designed to effectively combat pervasive pelvic floor issues such as incontinence and prolapse, which significantly impact millions of women globally. By ingeniously combining an advanced ultrasound method with proprietary artificial intelligence software, Cosm Medical can precisely model and 3D print bespoke devices. This tailored approach promises patients not only superior comfort and fit but also significantly better clinical outcomes compared to generic, off-the-shelf solutions. Derek Sham, Founder and CEO of Cosm Medical, expressed his gratitude, stating, “We’re thankful to be finalists of the Forward AM Innovation Award. We appreciate any support as we drive to change women’s pelvic health.” Their innovation represents a crucial step forward in personalized medical care.

HILOS: Sustainable Footwear Through Digital Craftsmanship

HILOS, established in 2019 and based in Portland, USA, is reimagining the footwear industry by seamlessly blending the precision of 3D printing with traditional craftsmanship, particularly leatherwork, to create stylish and sustainable shoes like their signature mules. The company’s core mission is to drastically reduce the significant ecological footprint of shoe manufacturing. They achieve this by championing local, on-demand production through additive manufacturing. By embracing 3D printing, specifically utilizing durable TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane), HILOS not only minimizes material waste but also offers uniquely original pieces that prioritize comfort, aesthetic appeal, and long-lasting durability. A testament to their commitment to circularity, their collection of heels is 100% recyclable, ensuring that each mule can be easily disassembled and repurposed, extending its lifecycle and reducing landfill waste. Elias Stahl, co-founder and CEO of HILOS, shared his excitement: “We’re very excited to get to work closely with the executives from some of the most renowned companies in the digital manufacturing space to be able to accelerate applications like ours and bring them to market scale much faster than we would be able to on our own.”

SYOS: Shaping Sound with Custom 3D Printed Musical Instruments

SYOS (Shape Your Own Sound), founded in France in 2016, stands at the intersection of music and technology, specializing in the bespoke production of saxophone and clarinet mouthpieces. These highly personalized devices are meticulously 3D printed, empowering the French start-up to engineer the precise internal geometry required to reproduce a musician’s desired sound with unparalleled accuracy and richness. The application of FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) 3D printing technology not only allows SYOS to customize each mouthpiece for an individual musician’s unique embouchure and playing style but also facilitates the creation of diverse designs in a vibrant array of colors. This level of personalization resonates strongly within the musical community, as evidenced by SYOS currently supporting over 500 musicians per month. Pauline Eveno, founder and CEO of SYOS, commented: “We are very happy to be in the final of this award and to show the world a great application for the musical world. We want to work on new types of materials and new types of technology to give our customers new types of products.” Their vision promises a future where every musician can truly shape their own sound.

WYVE: Riding the Wave of Eco-Friendly Custom Surfboards

Nestled in the sun-drenched south of France, close to the invigorating waves, WYVE is making a splash in the surfing world by designing custom surfboards using advanced additive manufacturing techniques. At the heart of each board lies a core ingeniously crafted from recycled plastic, dramatically diminishing the ecological footprint of every product. This commitment to sustainability is paired with the transformative power of 3D technologies, which unlock immense customization possibilities and deliver enhanced performance tailored to each surfer’s unique needs and style. From optimizing buoyancy to refining hydrodynamics, 3D printing allows for unprecedented control over board design. Sylvain Fleury, co-founder of WYVE, shared his motivation: “We applied because we were convinced that it would bring us significant support through industry partnerships with big names in the market. We are very proud to be a finalist!” WYVE embodies the spirit of innovation, proving that high performance and environmental responsibility can ride the same wave.

The Grand Finale: Witnessing the Future of 3D Printing

The journey for these four visionary start-ups culminates in the grand finale, where they will not only present their groundbreaking solutions but also continue to benefit from invaluable coaching sessions. These sessions are designed to empower them with deeper knowledge and leverage the extensive experience of the award’s sponsors and partners. The collective aim is to significantly accelerate the development and market penetration of their innovative applications, ensuring their solutions reach a wider audience and create lasting impact. We invite you to be part of this pivotal moment and witness the future of 3D printing innovation. Come and meet these extraordinary entrepreneurs on Wednesday, June 30th, during a truly unique virtual event. Registration is completely free and can be completed swiftly and easily HERE.

Will you be attending the grand finals for the Forward AM Innovation Award and cheering on your favorite innovator? Share your thoughts in a comment below or connect with us on ourFacebook,Twitter andLinkedIn pages! Don’t miss out on the latest advancements; sign up for our free weeklyNewsletter here, delivering cutting-edge 3D printing news straight to your inbox!