AMBER
Government-funded regional AM/3D printing cluster initiative coordinated by Berlin Partner für Wirtschaft und Technologie GmbH, serving as the umbrella brand connecting research institutions, companies, startups, and political players in the Berlin-Brandenburg capital region.
- CEO / Founder
- Dr. Stefan Franzke
- Team Size
- 1-10
- Stage
- Active
- Total Funding
- €14M
- Latest Round
- Grant
- Key Investors
- Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises
Technology & Products
Key Products
AMBER networking events and cluster meetings; International tech journeys and delegations (Israel, US East Coast); AMBER funding calls for regional AM innovation projects; Benchmark studies on additive manufacturing in the capital region; Partnership with industry conferences (AM Forum, CDFAM)
Technological Advantage
AMBER is a regional economic development initiative and networking platform, NOT an AM technology company. It serves as the central initiative ('Dachmarke') for building and connecting the additive manufacturing ecosystem in the Berlin-Brandenburg capital region. Its advantage is the NETWORK EFFECT — it links leading research institutions (TU Berlin, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, BAM, CHESCO) with innovative companies, startups, and political actors. The stated goal is to make Berlin-Brandenburg the leading AM location in Europe by 2030. It offers a free AM-Service for companies, research, and founders. This is a PUBLIC INITIATIVE housed within Berlin Partner für Wirtschaft und Technologie GmbH — it has no proprietary technology, no patents, no products, and no revenue in the traditional sense. VERIFIED: AM Forum 2026 marked the 10-year jubilee of the forum event, indicating AMBER's activities trace back to approximately 2016. The Xpert4AM training program involves experts from TU Berlin, CHESCO, BAM, AMBER, and other institutions. The ST3AM Adlershof makerspace provides access to FDM, SLS, SLA, Xolography, and continuous fiber printing.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Provides networking, visibility, and funding access for the AM ecosystem in Berlin-Brandenburg. Connects powder bed, cold spray, and surface finishing players with international delegations and facilitates joint R&D projects through public funding calls.
How They Differentiate
AMBER is not a commercial entity and does not compete with AM companies. It is a publicly funded economic development initiative specific to the Berlin-Brandenburg region, comparable to other regional AM clusters (e.g., AM Hub Munich, 3D Printing Hub Netherlands).
Market & Competition
Target Customers
AM companies, research institutions, startups, and public-sector stakeholders in the Berlin-Brandenburg region
Industry Verticals
Medizintechnik (Medical Technology); Leichtbau (Lightweight Construction); Luft- & Raumfahrt (Aerospace)
Competitors
ACAM Aachen Center for Additive Manufacturing (Aachen, Germany) — leading AM research and application center with strong industry network; DMRC — Direct Manufacturing Research Center (Paderborn, Germany) — additive manufacturing research network with industry partnerships; Additive Manufacturing BW — Baden-Württemberg AM network similar regional cluster model
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
Ecosystem size: Over 60 players; 150 members in related Mobility goes Additive network; Hosts AM Forum Berlin, CDFAM Berlin 2024, AM lecture series; Strategic goal: Europe's #1 AM location by 2030; Project support: 13 funded research projects
Major Milestones
Integrated into Berlin's Masterplan Industriestadt 2022-2026 as a core component; Selected for Clusters4Future initiative (concept phase, first competition round); 5th annual AMBER network meeting held; Partner of AM Forum 2026 - largest AM conference in Europe; Published benchmark study on additive manufacturing in the capital region; Conducted international tech journeys to Israel and US East Coast (New York, Boston)
Notable Customers
Alstom ( showcased as AMBER community member using AM for prototyping, production aids, and spare parts)