Since Formnext began in 2015, innovative and creative companies have been recognized and supported as part of the Formnext Start-up Challenge. The world's leading AM trade fair has thus played a key role in helping new technologies find their way onto the market and supporting the entire AM industry in its development. With the new Formnext Awards, Formnext is now expanding this commitment. A high-caliber jury will evaluate the international submissions in each of the six categories. Submissions for the Start-up Award close on 09.08.2024; the remaining categories are open until 06.09.2024. The jury members include representatives from well-known companies, investors, associations and research institutes.

The Formnext Awards honor the following categories:

• Start-up Award supported by AM Ventures: young, inspiring companies with viable business models.

• Rookie Award: young individuals who have not yet founded a company or founded one less than a year ago with promising business ideas. Jury members for Start-up and Rookie Award: Arno Held (AM Ventures), Alex Kingsbury (nLight), Prof. Dr. Peter Mayr (TU Munich) and Dr.-Ing. Sascha Schwarz (TUM Venture Labs), Michael Petch (3D Printing Industry).

• Sustainability Award supported by Renishaw: AM applications and products that are evaluated on the basis of their product life cycle. Jury members: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Kristian Arntz (FH Aachen), Dr. Mohsen Seifi (ASTM International), Sherri Monroe (Additive Manufacturer Green Trade Association, AMGTA).

• Design Award: exceptional AM design and AM products taking into account aesthetic and functional aspects. Jury members: Thomas Lück (cirp), Duann Scott (BITS to ATOMS), Prof. Dr.- Ing. Oliver Tessmann (TU Darmstadt DDU Digital Design Unit - Digital Design).

• (R)Evolution Award supported by 3D Printing Industry: Products, technologies or services that are exceptionally innovative and have a special added value for the user. Jury members: Dr. Melissa Orme (Boeing), Dr. Mandaná Moshiri (The Lego Group), Dr. Maximilian Binder (BMW Group).

• AMbassador Award: outstanding individuals or organizations who have had a unique impact on the industry and users through innovative training and education approaches, projects or their personal advocacy. Jury members: Irene Skibinski (VDMA Additive Manufacturing Working Group), Haden Quinlan (MIT - Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Ralf Anderhofstadt (Daimler Truck AG | Daimler Buses GmbH).

The winners will be chosen from the finalists selected by the jury at Formnext with the support of public voting. The winners will be presented at the award ceremony on Thursday evening, November 21, 2024. The finalists' submissions and exhibits will be on display at a special show at Formnext. During the public voting, Formnext visitors both on site and online will have the opportunity to vote for one of the finalists in each of the six categories and thus help determine the final result. In addition to the Formnext Award trophy designed by Sutosuto and sponsored by Voxeljet, the winners will receive attractive prize packages. These consist of cash and non-cash prizes as well as extensive communication and marketing activities.