3D Hubs
Amsterdam-based 3D Hubs has tapped into the growth of 3D printing by developing an online platform that connects 3D printer owners with people who want to print in 3D. The 3D printing industry is expected to grow from $3.07bn (£2.1bn) in revenue in 2013 to $12.8bn (£8.9bn) by 2018 and exceed $21bn (£14.6bn) by 2020, according to Wohlers Report 2014.
The company, launched in 2013 by design engineers Bram de Zwart and Brian Garrett, both former 3D Systems employees, has a network of 3D printers in 22,000 locations in more than 150 countries.
Balderton Capital, Dutch investors DOEN and Zeeburg backed 3D Hubs, which raised $4.5m (£3.1m) in its first round of funding in 2014. The company’s partners include Adobe and Fairphone, which uses the network to print on-demand mobile phone cases.