By now, we've all heard of 3D printing, but for the most part, the stigma surrounding the technology is that it's slow and expensive. Almost every piece of technology we use today started out that way and the promise we expect from 3D printers is still just being developed. These seven LA-based startups are at the epicenter of the burgeoning industry.
Divergent 3D develops a hardware-software platform that lets companies design and 3D print their cars. Yes, you read that correctly. The Torrance-based startup allows car manufacturers to design automobiles at a fraction of the price, while also saving on the weight of the car and the environmental impact required to develop each product. Recently, the company closed a $23 million Series A, which included investments from Horizon Ventures and PSA Group, which counts Peugeot and Citroën as subsidiaries.
Founded by three computer science grad students at USC, AIO Robotics has developed one of the first all-in-one 3D printers on the market. ZEUS boasts a touchscreen and in-unit computer to help users utilize the number of apps the company has developed specifically for the printer. These hyper-specific apps allow users to print out objects for a variety of different uses without having to write a program for the printer, saving time, money and energy in the process.
Pixsweet, one of many, many brainchildren of 3D printing pioneer Janne Kyttanen, offers local confectioners the opportunity to bring technology into their sweets-making processes. The company has developed a way for users to use hashtags to scour the internet for designs and helps them create and package their designs using the startup's proprietary software. Their first partner, Mom & Pop Shop Truck, uses Pixsweet's technology to create delectable creations even though the product is still in beta. To date, the truck offers five different vegan popsicles.
Assembl is a 3D marketplace for designers of all skill levels. It's a place where customers can buy anything from a 3D printed cup to a 3D printer door hinge with specific measurements. The site also offers courses for those with 3D printers.
Metamason is a 3D scanning and printing company focused on healthcare. The company has developed a process capable of scanning a person's body to develop individualized, customized, ergonomic medical devices. Sufferer's of sleep apnea will be glad to hear that the startup's flagship product develops personalized sleep masks to allow for a more comfortable night's sleep.
Thousand Oaks-based Orange Maker has built a 3D printing system that doesn't limit artists and engineers like many current models on the market. Its Heliolithography technology utilizes user-friendly software and a pretty sweet looking printer to push the limits of what someone can create using a 3D printer.
3Diligent is a 3D printing marketplace that acts as a sort of Lyft for companies in need of rapid manufacturing technologies. The El Segundo-based startup partners with companies to help them find the ideal 3D solution via a network of supply partners.
