Formnext Start-up Challenge begins again

The Formnext Start-up Challenge offers young companies the opportunity to present themselves prominently on the AM platform and to meet new customers as well as partners and investors. The latter in particular is even more important for start-ups in light of current developments on the financial markets. The start-ups will also take part in Formnext from November 7 to 10, 2023. With more than 600 exhibitors already registered, Formnext 2023 is heading for new records and is therefore more than ever an ideal platform for the winners of the challenge to become part of the rapidly growing AM community.

The technological innovations of the Formnext Start-up Challenge have been advancing AM technology and the 3D printing industry for years. "At the same time, we want to support young companies in the long term with the Formnext Start-up Challenge. We offer the winners a highly attractive package that enables them to present themselves side by side with the elite of the global AM world and enrich the international manufacturing industry with fresh impetus," explains Sascha F. Wenzler, Vice President Formnext at trade fair organizer Mesago Messe Frankfurt.

In addition to the 3D-printed award, sponsored by Voxeljet, the five winners will receive an all-inclusive trade fair and marketing package from Formnext. This includes a fully equipped exhibition stand in the Start-up Area at Formnext 2023 and involvement in Formnext's global PR activities. In addition, the winners can take part in a pitch event at Formnext on the Industry Stage, including live broadcast by Formnext.TV, where they have the chance to convince investors, companies and customers of their products or services in a short presentation.

Additional award for sustainability

The Formnext Start-up Challenge is also dedicated to the increasingly important topic of sustainability. The AM Ventures Impact Award, endowed with 5,000 euros, honors young companies that are making decisive progress in this field. "Additive manufacturing has developed into an important technology with enormous potential to solve global sustainability challenges," explains Arno Held, Managing Partner at AM Ventures. "We are on the path to a sustainable and resource-efficient civilization, and start-ups have a unique opportunity to drive this transformation in traditional manufacturing."

Jury member Prof. Dr. Peter Mayr, Head of the Chair of Materials Engineering of Additive Manufacturing at TU Munich, underlines the far-reaching benefits of the Start-up Challenge for the entire AM world: "The Formnext Start-up Challenge is a unique opportunity for AM start-ups to further build their network, receive feedback from potential customers and industry experts and evaluate their business models. Only this interaction between start-ups, science and industry makes it possible to develop the AM applications of tomorrow and increase the level of AM maturity across domain boundaries."

Kristian Arntz, Professor for Manufacturing Technologies and Machine Tools at Aachen University of Applied Sciences and Chief Executive Officer of Fraunhofer ICNAP, Stefanie Brickwede, Head of Additive Manufacturing@Deutsche Bahn and Managing Director of the "Mobility goes Additive" network, Arno Held, Managing Partner at AM Ventures, Alexander Oster, Director Additive Manufacturing at Autodesk and Michael Petch, Editor in Chief at 3D Printing Industry.

The Formnext Start-up Challenge is open to companies that were founded within the last five years, have a marketable product and an annual turnover of less than 10 million euros. Start-ups that have already won a package for the Start-up Area or have a majority shareholder with an annual turnover of more than 10 million euros are excluded.

Companies that were founded no more than 5 years ago can apply from now until July 14, 2023. The winners will be announced in September 2023.