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3Doodler

ApplicationNew York, USAFounded 2010· One of 381 Application companies tracked by AMPulse

World's first and leading 3D printing pen manufacturer for consumers and education markets

CEO / Founder
Daniel Cowen
Team Size
11-50
Stage
Active
Total Funding
$4.7M
Latest Round
Crowdfunding
Key Investors
No institutional investors - funded entirely through Kickstarter crowdfunding campaigns

Technology & Products

Key Products

3Doodler offers a range of 3D printing pens, including the low-heat Start line and higher-end models, along with various accessories and educational kits.

Technological Advantage

{"First-mover advantage as world's first 3D pen","Market leader in 40+ countries","Full product range (kids to pro)","ChefDoodler - TIME Best Inventions 2023","Strong education market presence"}

Differentiation

Value Proposition

Provides an intuitive, screen-free way to create 3D structures instantly by extruding heated plastic that cools and solidifies immediately, bypassing the need for complex CAD software. Accessible 3D creation through handheld 3D pens for all ages and skill levels.

How They Differentiate

Pioneered the category with focus on safety (low-heat Start line), robust educational ecosystem (EDU kits for 100,000+ students), never taken institutional funding (crowdfunded only), best-selling 3D printing product ever (1.4M+ units), market leadership in 60+ countries vs. followers.

Market & Competition

Target Customers

Children (Start+), hobbyists (Create+), professionals (PRO), educators, chefs

Industry Verticals

{"Consumer Electronics",Education,"Arts & Crafts","Professional Design","Food (ChefDoodler)"}

Competitors

CreoPop, 3DSimo, Jer Education, Lix Pen

Growth & Milestones

Growth Metrics

{"market_leader": "World's first 3D pen", "countries": "40+", "education_market": "Strong presence", "products_sold": "Millions", "kickstarter_backers": "26,000+"}

Major Milestones

["2010: WobbleWorks LLC founded","2013: Launched the world's first 3D printing pen on Kickstarter - world record campaign","2013: Named one of TIME Magazine's 25 Best Inventions of the Year","2015: Second Kickstarter campaign raises $1.5M","2016: Third crowdfunding round; 3Doodler Start+ received NAPPA Award","2017: Surpassed 1 million units sold","2021: Expanded into culinary market with ChefDoodler launch","NY headquarters for R&D and operations"]

Notable Customers

Amazon; Michaels; Best Buy; Target; Over 100,000 students at 5,000 schools worldwide; Sold in over 60 countries

https://www.the3doodler.com

Why this company matters

3Doodler pioneered the handheld 3D printing pen market in 2013 with a Kickstarter campaign that set a world record. Based in New York, the company targets consumers, educators, and professionals who want an intuitive, CAD-free method for creating 3D structures. Its pens use material extrusion (MEX) to deposit heated plastic filament that cools and hardens immediately, enabling freehand drawing in three dimensions.

The product line spans the low-heat Start+ for children, the Create+ for hobbyists, and the PRO for designers and engineers. A proprietary cool-to-touch plastic makes the Start+ safe for young users by eliminating hot parts. The company also offers educational kits integrated into STEM curricula at over 5,000 schools, reaching more than 100,000 students. In 2023, the ChefDoodler, a pen for decorating food, was named one of TIME's Best Inventions.

3Doodler has sold over 1.4 million units across 60 countries and is stocked by major retailers including Amazon, Michaels, Best Buy, and Target. Unlike many hardware startups, it has never taken institutional funding, relying instead on crowdfunding campaigns that raised $4.7 million from more than 26,000 backers. This bootstrapped approach has allowed the company to maintain full control over its product roadmap and IP enforcement against copycat competitors.

The company's main competitive risk is the niche size of the consumer 3D pen market and the emergence of lower-cost imitators. Its moat rests on brand recognition, educational ecosystem partnerships, and a full product range from child-safe to professional-grade. Continued growth depends on expanding adoption in schools and broadening the culinary and professional design verticals.