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ExtraBold

HardwareTokyo, JapanFounded 2017· One of 1738 Hardware companies tracked by AMPulse

ExtraBold develops high-speed, large-format pellet-type 3D printers that directly melt plastic pellets instead of proprietary filament, enabling cost-effective manufacturing of large industrial components using recycled and sustainable materials.

CEO / Founder
Yuji Hara
Team Size
11-50
Stage
Active
Total Funding
$4.1M
Latest Round
Series A
Key Investors
Real Tech Holdings (lead investor, Series A 2021), Mitsubishi Chemical Group (strategic investor, 2023), Mistletoe LLC (initial investor/founder), Additional undisclosed VCs and corporate investors

Technology & Products

Key Products

EXF-12 Large-format pellet-type 3D printer; REX-BUTLER Collaborative robot-based 3D printer; Butler Method proprietary CR-based design philosophy; BOLDGYM ACADEMY membership-based manufacturing training gym; Custom 3D Print Heads proprietary pellet extrusion printheads

Technological Advantage

Three core differentiators: (1) Direct pellet melting eliminates expensive filament dependency, reducing material costs by up to 90%; (2) High-speed large-scale production achieving 15kg/hour output for components up to 1700×1300×1020mm; (3) Material flexibility supporting diverse recycled and sustainable plastics including bio-based polymers, supporting Green Creative™ sustainability initiative

Differentiation

Value Proposition

Enables low-cost, high-speed production of large components (up to 1700×1300×1020mm) using inexpensive plastic pellets and recycled materials, achieving 15kg/hour output rate at dramatically reduced material costs compared to traditional filament-based 3D printers

How They Differentiate

ExtraBold differentiates through: (1) Proprietary 'Butler Method' collaborative robot-based pellet 3D printing technology with integrated multi-axis printing, cutting, and forming capabilities; (2) FANUC industrial controller integration for enterprise-grade reliability; (3) Green Creative™ initiative focused on sustainable materials including recycled plastics and bio-based polymers; (4) Direct pellet-fed technology achieving 15kg/hour output at up to 90% lower material costs; (5) Unique container-housed EXF-12 system with 1700×1300×1020mm build volume for on-site deployment

Market & Competition

Target Customers

Manufacturing companies requiring large-format additive manufacturing, automotive manufacturers, furniture and interior design companies, companies seeking sustainable manufacturing solutions through recycled plastics

Industry Verticals

["Automotive (large exterior parts, metal-to-plastic conversion)","Industrial Manufacturing (tooling, mold-less small-batch production)","Furniture and Interior Design (sustainable, upcycled materials)","Additive Manufacturing Hardware","Sustainable/Circular Economy Manufacturing","Recycled Materials Processing"]

Competitors

Modix (Israel) - Large-format 3D printer manufacturer with MAMA 1,700 series featuring hybrid pellet/filament extrusion; Caracol AM (Italy) - Industrial large-scale additive manufacturing with pellet extrusion technology; Massive Dimension (USA) - Large-format pellet extruder 3D printers and robotic cell systems

Growth & Milestones

Growth Metrics

Raised total of ¥620M across two major rounds (2021-2023); Expanded from Japan to establish Singapore R&D subsidiary in 2020; Achieved 3rd place at ICC KYOTO 2020 Real Tech Catapult; Won Excellence Award at Deep Tech Grand Prix 2020; Secured strategic partnerships with major corporations including Mitsui Chemicals and Toyota

Major Milestones

["Founded ExtraBold Inc. in December 2017","Established Singapore R&D subsidiary (ExtraBold R&D PTE. LTD.) in 2020","Won 3rd place at ICC KYOTO 2020 Real Tech Catapult","Received Excellence Award at Deep Tech Grand Prix 2020","Secured ¥360M Series A funding led by Real Tech Holdings in April 2021","Obtained patent for 'Butler Method' collaborative robot-based pellet 3D printing technology","Raised additional ¥260M funding in October 2023","Formed strategic alliance with Mitsui Chemicals Group in 2023","Successfully deployed 3D-printed components in Toyota pace cars at Bangkok Auto Salon 2024","Partnered with Toyota for Bangsaen Grand Prix 2024 applications"]

Notable Customers

Toyota Motor Corporation (3D-printed components for Fortuner-based pace car at Bangkok Auto Salon 2024 and Bangsaen Grand Prix 2024); Mitsubishi Chemical Group (strategic partner and investor for direct pellet-fed 3D printing applications); Dreams Design Corporation (automotive development partner); ARRK Corporation (materials supply partnership for concept car development); Singapore-based universities (joint R&D partnerships)

https://www.extbold.com

Recent coverage of ExtraBold

Why this company matters

ExtraBold occupies a niche between hobbyist-grade large-format filament printers and ultra-high-end industrial additive manufacturing systems. Based in Tokyo and founded in 2017, the company targets manufacturers that need to produce large components—up to 1700×1300×1020mm—at high throughput without the expense of proprietary filament. By feeding standard plastic pellets directly into the print head, ExtraBold enables material cost reductions of up to 90% and supports recycled and bio-based polymers that conventional filament printers cannot process.

The company's core technology is direct pellet extrusion for polymer material extrusion (MEX). Its flagship EXF-12 printer is housed in a 12-foot shipping container and integrates a FANUC industrial controller for reliability. The REX-BUTLER system uses a collaborative robot arm for multi-axis printing, cutting, and forming in a single cell—a configuration ExtraBold calls the Butler Method. Output rates reach 15 kg/hour, making the platform suited for automotive exterior parts, tooling, furniture, and metal-to-plastic conversion projects.

ExtraBold has secured strategic partnerships with Mitsubishi Chemical Group and Mitsui Chemicals, and its 3D-printed components appeared on a Toyota Fortuner-based pace car at the 2024 Bangkok Auto Salon and Bangsaen Grand Prix. The company raised ¥620 million (approximately $4.2 million) across two rounds from investors including Real Tech Holdings and Mistletoe LLC. A Singapore-based R&D subsidiary, established in 2020, focuses on resin extrusion capacity and stable printing development.

Competitors include Modix, Caracol AM, and Massive Dimension, all of which offer pellet extrusion in large formats. ExtraBold's differentiators are its FANUC controller integration, the Butler Method's combined subtractive and additive capabilities, and its Green Creative initiative emphasizing recycled and bio-based feedstocks. The company's reliance on partnerships with automotive and chemical majors provides credibility but also ties its growth to the adoption rate of pellet-based AM in serial production.