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Azul 3D

HardwareChicago, United StatesFounded 2016· One of 1708 Hardware companies tracked by AMPulse

Azul 3D commercializes HARP (High-Area Rapid Printing) technology for optical manufacturing, enabling high-throughput, large-scale production of prescription lenses and optical components.

CEO / Founder
John Hartner
Team Size
11-50
Stage
Active
Total Funding
$39.5M
Latest Round
Series A
Key Investors
DuPont, GS Futures, Beta Lab, Louis A. Simpson

Technology & Products

Key Products

HARP (High-Area Rapid Printing) technology, LAKE printer, OCEAN printer (812x812mm build volume), proprietary optical resins

Technological Advantage

HARP technology provides a significant advantage in speed and scale, enabling print speeds up to 1,000 times faster than conventional methods and offering one of the largest build volumes in its class. This bridges the gap between prototyping and mass production.

Differentiation

Value Proposition

Enabling mass production and customization of large, high-quality polymer parts at unprecedented speeds, thereby simplifying supply chains and unlocking new manufacturing possibilities.

How They Differentiate

Azul 3D differentiates through the combination of extremely high speed and a very large build area, specifically targeting high-volume, industrial-scale production of large parts, which is a key limitation for many competitors.

Market & Competition

Target Customers

Optical labs and eyewear manufacturers requiring digital lens manufacturing solutions with high-volume production capabilities.

Industry Verticals

["Optical/Medical Devices","Industrial Manufacturing","Consumer Products"]

Competitors

Carbon; Formlabs; Desktop Metal (EnvisionTEC)

Growth & Milestones

Growth Metrics

Successfully closed a $12.5M seed round and a $15M Series A round. Expanded product line to OCEAN printer (812x812mm) in 2024, pivoted focus to optical manufacturing.

Major Milestones

["2016: Company founded based on HARP technology from Northwestern University.","2020: Secured $12.5M in total seed funding.","2021: Launched the first commercial printer, the LAKE.","2023: Closed a $15 million Series A funding round led by DuPont.","2023: John Hartner appointed CEO (replacing Cody Burke).","2024: Launched the larger-format OCEAN printer (812x812mm build volume)."]

Notable Customers

DuPont Electronics and Imaging, Wilson Sporting Goods

https://www.azul3d.com

Why this company matters

Azul 3D targets the gap between additive prototyping and mass production with its HARP (High-Area Rapid Printing) technology. The process uses a mobile liquid interface to circulate resin, manage heat, and minimize adhesion forces, enabling continuous printing over a large area without sacrificing resolution or material properties. This allows print speeds up to 1,000 times faster than conventional vat photopolymerization methods.

The company's product line includes the LAKE, OCEAN, and POND printers, with the OCEAN offering one of the largest build volumes in its class. Azul 3D develops proprietary resins tailored for high-speed, large-format printing. Target customers include manufacturers in industrial, automotive, medical, and consumer product sectors requiring high-volume, customized polymer parts.

Notable customers include DuPont Electronics and Imaging and Wilson Sporting Goods. The company has raised $39.5M from investors including DuPont, GS Futures, and Beta Lab. Key partnerships with Northwestern University and DuPont support ongoing resin and process development.

Azul 3D competes with Carbon, Formlabs, and Desktop Metal (EnvisionTEC) by combining extreme speed with a large build area, specifically targeting high-volume industrial production of large parts. The main open question is whether the technology can achieve the surface finish and mechanical consistency required for end-use parts across diverse industries at scale.