#3DStartup: Could nureo’s Automated Engineering Software Eliminate Manual CAD?

The promise of additive manufacturing has always been design freedom, yet engineers frequently face complex, manual design processes to turn a concept into a manufacturable part. The Zurich-based software startup nureo is changing this by bridging the gap between advanced artificial intelligence and practical manufacturing constraints. Born out of specialized PhD research at ETH Zurich, the company is developing an AI-powered platform that encodes deep engineering knowledge into validated, automated design modules. This approach recently earned the company industry recognition, securing a spot as one of the candidates for the 2025 Formnext Start-up Awards.

Instead of relying on generative AI that creates unmachinable shapes, nureo acts as an intelligent assistant that structures complex workflows while keeping the engineer fully in control. The platform reduces design timelines from weeks to mere minutes for demanding industrial applications, including fluid manifolds and production line packaging. In this interview, we speak with co-founder Manuel Biedermann to discuss how nureo bypasses industry buzzwords to build a scalable automation platform that preserves manufacturability and empowers engineering teams.

Manuel Biederman presenting on the Industry Stage at Formnext. (Photo Credit: Formnext I Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH)

3DN: Could you introduce yourself and share what led you to co-found nureo?

My name is Manuel Biedermann, and I’m one of the co-founders of nureo. I met my co-founders, Patrick Beutler and Urs Hofmann, during our PhDs at ETH Zurich, where we started working on design for additive manufacturing (AM) back in 2017.