MyMiniFactory Acquires Thingiverse: A Turning Point for the 3D File Ecosystem

This is major news for the entire maker community and the 3D printing market as a whole: MyMiniFactory has acquired 100% of Thingiverse. The popular free 3D file platform was previously owned by UltiMaker, following several strategic shifts between MakerBot and Stratasys—we’ll return to that shortly. Thingiverse’s 8 million users will now join the MyMiniFactory ecosystem, which has distributed more than $100 million in revenue to its creators.

This move transforms Thingiverse into a SoulCrafted platform. The SoulCrafted movement emphasizes objects designed with intention, emotion, and personalization, as opposed to standardized mass production. Driven by technologies like 3D printing, it promotes local, on-demand, and more sustainable manufacturing, strengthening the connection between users and the objects they create. The goal is to restore value to the designers who use Thingiverse and elevate their work, much like what MyMiniFactory has already implemented on its own platform.

The Thingiverse Homepage

A Look Back at the Rise of Thingiverse

This acquisition is particularly noteworthy because Thingiverse remains the largest 3D file platform on the market. To fully understand its significance, we need to go back 17 years. In 2008, MakerBot launched an open library of STL files, allowing users to share printable 3D models for free. The platform quickly expanded, becoming part of the RepRap movement, which champions collaboration and the open modification of designs.