Collider
A hybrid additive manufacturing platform that combines the speed of DLP 3D printing with the material properties of traditional injection molding through a process called 'Programmable Tooling.'
- CEO / Founder
- Acquired by Essentium (2021), then Nexa3D (2024) - Graham Bredemeyer became Director of Photopolymer Group at Essentium
- Team Size
- 1-10
- Stage
- Acquired
- Total Funding
- $1.32M
- Latest Round
- Acquired
- Key Investors
- Y Combinator, Brick & Mortar Ventures, Asimov Ventures, Autodesk Forge Fund, Chattanooga Renaissance Fund
Technology & Products
Key Products
["Orchid 3D Printer (Industrial DLP-based hardware)","Programmable Tooling Technology (Hybrid manufacturing process)","Sacrificial Mold Materials","Production-grade Resin Integration System"]
Technological Advantage
Combines the geometric complexity of additive manufacturing with the mechanical properties of injection molding. This allows for 'mass customization' of parts that meet industrial certifications which standard 3D printing materials often fail to achieve.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Enables the use of off-the-shelf, production-grade resins (thermosets) in a 3D printing workflow, eliminating the high cost and long lead times of traditional metal tooling while maintaining material integrity.
How They Differentiate
Collider’s 'Programmable Tooling' differentiates by using a hybrid approach: 3D printing a sacrificial shell and simultaneously injecting it with off-the-shelf, production-grade materials (thermosets). Unlike Carbon or Formlabs, which primarily use proprietary photo-curable resins, Collider allows manufacturers to use the exact materials used in traditional injection molding.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Industrial manufacturers, automotive and aerospace engineering firms, and medical device producers requiring low-to-medium volume production-grade plastic parts.
Industry Verticals
["Manufacturing","Automotive","Aerospace","Medical Devices","Consumer Goods"]
Competitors
AddiFab; Carbon; Formlabs
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
Successfully exited via acquisition by Essentium in 2021; technology later integrated into Nexa3D’s industrial portfolio in 2024.
Major Milestones
["Participated in Y Combinator Summer 2016 cohort","Finalist in TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 2017","Commercial launch of the Orchid 3D printer","Acquired by Essentium in March 2021","Technology assets transitioned to Nexa3D following Nexa3D's acquisition of Essentium in 2024"]
Notable Customers
Industrial manufacturing firms; Automotive Tier 1 suppliers; Aerospace engineering departments