MassChallenge

AMF Medical, based in the EPFL innovation park in Switzerland, specializes in designing high-end, user-friendly fluidic solutions, particularly in automated liquid handling systems. The company emerged when partners involved in a complex lab automation project sought suitable components that were unavailable in the market. Recognizing their expertise in microfluidics, AMF Medical collaborated with these partners to create tailored solutions, resulting in the development of their first product, the automated sample preparator. The company is dedicated to advancing the field of microfluidics by providing innovative and effective solutions for laboratory automation.

M Aerospace RTC is a manufacturing technology company specializing in metal three-dimensional (3D) printing systems, enhanced by virtual reality technology. The company focuses on additive manufacturing, providing a range of metal materials and combinations suitable for diverse applications. By offering capabilities for large-scale production and rapid prototyping, M Aerospace RTC aims to meet the needs of the 3D printing industry in a cost-effective manner. Its innovative approach to manufacturing positions it as a key player in the evolving landscape of aerospace and related sectors.

Endeavor Composites provides a zero waste solution for fiber and composite manufacturers. It is manufacturing for the automotive, aerospace, and maritime industries.

LabsCubed Inc. is a Canadian company based in Kitchener, founded in 2016, that specializes in the manufacture of automated testing systems for materials, particularly plastics and rubbers. The company's advanced machines facilitate rapid and intelligent stress testing of polymer materials by automating the physical testing process and data collection. By loading tensile samples into its systems, LabsCubed enables manufacturers to conduct numerical simulations and gather detailed analytical information efficiently. This innovation helps companies save both time and money in the development of new and innovative materials.

Recovering 3D models using 2D images

Naturbeads, a company working to manufacture a replacement ato the ocean-polluting microbeads that, despite initial bans in “rinse-off” cosmetics, are found in many personal and home care products and paints. Naturbeads manufacture a biodegradable alternative to plastic microbeads that could reduce micro plastic pollution in the oceans. The technology to create the cellulose microbeads was developed at the University of Bath by Professors Janet Scott and Davide Mattia from the Centre for Sustainable Chemical Technologies in 2017

M de Maní develops products with more flavor and more nutrients from less refined ingredients and without harmful chemicals or hydrogenated fats. The company believes that taking care of health is crucial and should be a simple task, which is why they offer practical, delicious, and highly nutritious products.

Developer of natural and wood-based raw materials designed to help produce industrial and household products. The company's materials preserve the natural properties of wood including appearance and feel, and enable the production of products with natural and unique properties such as consumer products currently produced of plastic, furniture, and construction products, enabling clients to design natural wood products, without design restrictions, while using the standard, common practice of industrial methods for other materials such as plastic.

Operator of a digital designing software platform intended to bring the entire physical product design journey into one digital studio. The company's platform utilizes artificial intelligence to create design briefs and collaborate with others for designing, engineering, and fabrication, enabling users to turn their ideas from a sketch to a product.

re:3D reduces production complexity by providing affordable, industrial 3D printers that transform big ideas into tangible realities. With a build volume of eight cubic feet and robust construction, Gigabot can print objects 30x larger than competing desktop models. Up until now, personal 3D printing has been limited to toys and trinkets, while the Gigabot will bring your biggest dreams to life. re:3D's customer base comprises an esteemed group of designers, small business owners, manufacturers, educators, prototypists, and hobbyists in over 30 countries around the globe. Currently, re:3D is scaling manufacturing operations, and exploring alternate materials and feedstocks with global leaders in material and life sciences.

Operator of an interior design company intended to provide fabrication and design services. The company creates custom and customizable furniture for commercial interiors, providing clients with impressive interior elements like branding walls and custom furniture tailored to their unique vision and brand.

MakersValley is an online business-to-business service platform designed to connect apparel manufacturers with fashion designers globally. By democratizing the manufacturing industry, MakersValley makes high-end Italian manufacturers accessible to designers at any time and from anywhere. The platform provides personalized guidance throughout the manufacturing process, ensuring that designers receive the necessary support until their finished products are delivered. This approach facilitates a more streamlined and efficient connection between creative professionals and manufacturers, enhancing the overall production experience in the fashion industry.

Concrete is the second most used consumed substance in the world but it is considered a boring, dull, simple product which is commonly used in its basic gray formulation. We help the design community to know all the amazing attributes and benefits that can be achieved by combining cement, water and aggregates making unique and complex forms. Designers, artists and architects can learn and use this product and open their minds into new products and solutions with our high quality and experience.

Facterra specializes in collaborative performance management software tailored for the manufacturing industry, focusing on industrial after-sales services and asset management. The company offers a cloud-based platform that integrates asset management, maintenance, and energy and water management functions. This user-friendly system enables manufacturing businesses to mobilize staff across maintenance, quality, and production teams, facilitating cross-functional initiatives. By connecting various data sources, including ERP systems and automation tools, Facterra enhances operational efficiency. Its solutions are designed to optimize asset performance and maintenance activities, thus supporting both machine builders and producers in the food and beverage sector.

PrintCB develops the next generation materials, copper inks, replacing the most expensive component used in PE today: silver. Replacing silver with copper will reduce manufacturing costs significantly, creating endless opportunities for new design and manufacturing in a $70B market. PrintCB develops copper inks for printed-electronics manufacturing.

Fortify is a Boston-based advanced manufacturing company that specializes in designing and producing custom composite materials using a patented magnetic 3D printing technology. Founded in 2016, the company focuses on creating high-performance products reinforced with carbon fiber, fiberglass, and ceramics. Fortify's innovative approach aims to transform the additive manufacturing landscape by offering optimized composite materials suitable for a variety of applications, including tool manufacturing, aerospace, and automotive industries. With a commitment to affordability and customization, Fortify is positioned to lead advancements in the production of reinforced composite products.

Response Technologies, LLC is dedicated to serving the material science and additive manufacturing needs of the national defense, energy, aerospace, automotive & transportation, and consumer product industries.

Makeree LTD develops software that connects off-line products with an online environment. It provides an interactive environment that turns physical consumer products into digital engaging experiences. It brings traditional manufacturers to the digital age and enables users to get engage with the manufacturers brands. The company was founded in 2014 and is based in Herzliya, Israel.

Iron Goat, based in Fairfax, Virginia, specializes in the automated production of pelleted and cubed products derived from hay and other grassy crops. The company employs mobile robots that operate without fuel to facilitate the manufacturing process, resulting in reduced costs for livestock feed and grass pellet fuel compared to traditional haying methods. By utilizing innovative in-field techniques, Iron Goat aims to provide farmers with more affordable and efficient feed solutions.

Makers Empire helps K-8 educators teach Design Thinking, STEM and 21st-century learning skills with 3D printing and 3D design. Makers Empire makes the world’s easiest to use 3D design software, Makers Empire 3D, which works on all computers, devices and tablets. Makers Empire 3D is the cornerstone of our solutions for elementary, primary and middle schools: 1.Makers Empire 3D Learning Program for individual schools; 2.Learning by Design course for groups of schools; and 3.Custom professional learning courses for education departments, ministries and school districts. We currently work with a thousand schools, 16,000+ educators and 850,000+ students in forty countries around the world. We have successfully delivered Makers Empire and 3D technology to groups of 200+ schools in Australia, the USA and the Middle East. To date, our student designers have created over 8.5 million designs using Makers Empire 3D – that’s 50,000 new designs every day!

Poly6 Technologies, Inc. offers digital manufacturing solutions to the biotechnology, aerospace, and electronics industry. The company manufactures its products through 3D printing technology. The company develops several stimuli-responsive materials systems that help hardware, software and materials to get integrated into established production processes. Poly6 Technologies, Inc. was incorporated in 2015 and is based in Boston, Massachusetts. As of September 30, 2019, Poly6 Technologies, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of WP CPP Holdings, LLC.

They develop and manufacture robust commercial UAV LiDAR and photogrammetry platforms for Telecom, Utilities, Engineers, Surveyors and more.

NVBOTS specializes in automated 3D printing solutions that address complex industrial challenges. Their innovative technology allows for the printing of multiple metals in a single build, including stainless steel, titanium, and aluminum, among others. This capability is complemented by ultra-high-speed printing, which is over ten times faster than traditional methods, providing significant cost advantages. The company’s flagship product, the NVPro™, is a comprehensive 3D printing solution that features patented automated part removal, functioning as an automated factory in a box. It operates continuously and can be accessed from any device through a cloud-based interface, allowing users to print parts at their convenience while maintaining full control over the workflow. NVBOTS' commitment to disruptive innovation is further demonstrated through their research and development program, NVLABS, which focuses on advancing their 3D printing technology.

Mebotics specializes in hybrid desktop manufacturing machines that integrate both 3D printing and CNC milling technologies. Their innovative devices enable additive manufacturing using plastics with the capability of handling up to two materials and four colors simultaneously, as well as subtractive manufacturing with woods and metals. The machines are designed with a robust, self-cleaning, and noise-reducing chassis, featuring a fully networkable onboard computer and an extensive array of safety features. By offering these advanced manufacturing capabilities, Mebotics allows prototypers and small-scale manufacturers to access machine-shop technologies in diverse environments, including labs, office spaces, and outdoor settings.

Artisan's Asylum is a non-profit makerspace dedicated to the teaching and practice of fabrication. It serves as a community workshop that provides access to a fully equipped and professionally maintained manufacturing facility. This facility supports a variety of capabilities, including precision metal machining, electrical fabrication, welding, woodworking, sewing and fiber arts, as well as computer-aided design and screen printing. Artisan's Asylum offers affordable classes to the public, flexible membership options, and workspace, fostering a collaborative environment for individuals to explore and realize their creative ideas. The organization also hosts speakers and special events, further enriching the community's educational experience.

Agira’s business model helps solar panel manufacturers become profitable by reducing panel cost and increasing manufacturing capacity by using optics technology. Active solar cells constitute 60% of a solar panel’s cost and are its most capital, energy, and time intensive component. Agira’s optics enable manufacturers to produce solar panels using only a fraction of the solar cells currently required.

Ashton Instruments is a startup located in Cambridge that specializes in the manufacturing of advanced cycling power meters. These power meters are designed to be inserted into the hollow spindles of SRAM or FSA road and mountain bike cranksets, featuring a plug-and-play installation for user convenience. The product serves as a reliable training and performance tracking tool for cyclists, offering auto-zeroing and temperature compensation to ensure accurate data across various riding conditions. Additionally, the power meters are equipped with both ANT+ and Bluetooth capabilities and are constructed from durable aluminum, which enhances their reliability and performance.

Voxel8 Inc. is a company focused on advancing 3D printing technology by integrating electronic functionalities into traditional 3D printed structures. Established in 2013 and located in Somerville, Massachusetts, Voxel8 designs and manufactures desktop 3D printers capable of printing thermoplastics and UV resins. The company specializes in innovative materials that enable the embedding of conductors, wires, and batteries within standard 3D printing matrices, based on research from Harvard University. Additionally, Voxel8 offers Project Wire, a cloud-based software tool that assists users in designing 3D printable electronic devices that can be efficiently produced using their printers.

3-Spark, a spinoff from Northeastern University, specializes in advanced 3D printing technology that enables the creation of parts with integrated electronics and sensors. This innovative approach is aimed at transforming the design and fabrication processes for a variety of industries, from biomedical technology research to individual innovators. The company's desktop fabrication system enhances the capabilities of designers and engineers, allowing for the development of custom devices that were previously difficult to produce. Initially funded through NSF grants and the Catalyst Seed funding contest, 3-Spark has successfully completed its prototype in its first year and is now in the process of expanding its team to further advance its mission.

Continuus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. offers an integrated continuous manufacturing technology for small molecule pharmaceuticals. It provides pharmaceutical manufacturing via batch processes; and advancing pharmaceutical manufacturing. The company was incorporated in 2012 and is based in Woburn, Massachusetts.

Veraquel Technologies is commercializing a transformative platform technology for the synthesis and manufacturing of peptides, applicable from discovery to large-scale production. This patented technology has the potential to eliminate the need for labor-intensive column separations, revolutionizing the process of manufacturing scale-up and enabling the high-throughput parallel purification of peptides for library-based approaches to drug discovery.

Process Prime offers consulting and software solutions to help makers become small manufacturers. They have software solutions that work with Mini-MRP to allow mobile barcode inventory and book-in processes. Contact us if you have questions on turning your making hobby into a business, or if you want help to scale your small operation.

99C manufactures build-to-order apparel for the growing me-commerce market and serves as an economic mobility bridge for the local workforce in Lawrence and Lowell. It provides quick-turn performance activewear production, advanced concept incubation, and wearable technology integration for global and emerging brands.

TireTech de-vulcanizes tires, creating clean raw materials in demand by manufacturers.

Ministry of Supply, Inc. is a Boston-based company that specializes in designing and manufacturing business apparel, specifically focusing on performance professional clothing for the workday. Founded in 2010, the company aims to address the everyday challenges posed by traditional clothing through the use of innovative materials and purposeful design. Ministry of Supply offers a range of products, including performance dress shirts and pants, which are sold primarily online.

File2Part is connecting digital and physical worlds using innovative approach to 3D printing. File2Part is implementing a new approach to Rapid prototyping and Rapid Manufacturing equipment and processes. No other 3D printer except Their can produce both functional and full color parts. Their printers are safe to use in any environment including schools. Their software package is the best in the industry. It allows the use of the all existing CAD formats and will work with Google SketchUp. Their low cost products will dominate the fast growing multibillion dollars RP market.

Starching introduces starch plastic products to the market with structural properties superior to the competition. The first product we manufacture will be loose fill packaging foam. Through simple processes and with inexpensive and fully renewable raw materials we are able to manufacture starch plastic products which offer resistance to moisture while maintaining the critical property of 100% biodegradability.