Cults
Operates an independent digital marketplace and social network for sharing and selling 3D printable files (e.g., STL, OBJ, CAD), connecting designers with makers to enable decentralized, on-demand manufacturing.
- CEO / Founder
- Pierre Ayroles
- Team Size
- 1-10
- Stage
- Established
- Total Funding
- $0
- Latest Round
- Bootstrapped
Technology & Products
Key Products
Digital marketplace for 3D printable files (STL, OBJ, CAD), also supporting CNC machining, laser cutting, papercraft, and sewing patterns.
Technological Advantage
Network effect with 14.2 million registered members and 235,000 designers creating a large repository of 3.23 million designs, protected by community loyalty and first-mover advantage as an early independent marketplace.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Provides a platform where designers earn 80% net revenue on sales, users access over 3 million designs for free or paid download, and the community fosters innovation without ties to specific hardware, reducing barriers to entry for 3D printing adoption.
How They Differentiate
Unlike Thingiverse (backed by Ultimaker) or MyMiniFactory (funded), Cults is fully independent and self-financed, offering higher designer revenue share (80% vs typical 70-75%) and a curated community without hardware biases; hosts 3x more designs than many niche competitors.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
3D printing hobbyists, makers, designers, and small businesses seeking printable models for personal or commercial use.
Industry Verticals
Consumer Goods; Education; Hobbyist/Maker
Competitors
Thingiverse, MyMiniFactory
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
Grew to 14.2 million registered members and 3.23 million printable designs as of 2025, adding over 5,000 new members daily; revenue examples include one designer earning €113,807 from 40,300 downloads of a single model.
Major Milestones
Launched in 2014; Reached over 300,000 users by 2018; Grew to 5 million users by 2021; Expanded to 14.2 million members and 235,000 designers by 2025; Partnerships with AstroPrint and 3D Hubs for printing integration