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Formlabs

HardwareSomerville, Massachusetts, USAFounded 2011· One of 1805 Hardware companies tracked by AMPulse

Global leader in professional desktop SLA 3D printing, developing accessible high-resolution stereolithography printers and materials for prototyping, manufacturing, dental, and healthcare applications.

CEO / Founder
Max Lobovsky
Team Size
501-1000
Stage
Active
Total Funding
$254M
Latest Round
Series E
Key Investors
SoftBank Vision Fund 2, New Enterprise Associates, Pitango Growth, Foundry Group, DFJ Growth, GV (Google Ventures), Autodesk

Technology & Products

Key Products

Form 4L and 4BL series, Fuse X1 large-format industrial SLS system (launched June 2026), Tough V2 photopolymer resin, Form Now (on-demand manufacturing service for SLA and SLS 3D printing), automated post-processing system for resin 3D printing workflows, Fast Model Resin, Tough 1000 Resin, and Tough 2000 Resin.

Technological Advantage

Continuous innovation in printer design and material offerings, robust proprietary patents, and strategic partnerships that enhance technology integration.

Differentiation

Value Proposition

Provides accessible, high-quality 3D printing technology with innovative printer designs and integrated post-processing solutions for rapid prototyping and professional production.

How They Differentiate

Emphasizes professional-grade SLA and SLS printing with high resolution and material diversity, supported by integrated post-processing solutions, an open-material ecosystem for SLA and SLS, and a systemic move toward decentralized production.

Market & Competition

Target Customers

Professionals and businesses across dental, aerospace, product design, healthcare, education, jewelry, and entertainment industries

Industry Verticals

Dental, Aerospace, Product Design, Healthcare, Education, Jewelry, Entertainment

Competitors

Prusa Research; MakerBot; Stratasys; Sinterit

Growth & Milestones

Growth Metrics

Valuation: $2 billion (2021). Total funding: $254-307M over 8 rounds. Revenue: $100-500M annually. Employees: 500-1000. Form 4 named TIME Best Inventions 2024.

Major Milestones

2011: Founded by Max Lobovsky, Natan Linder, David Cranor at MIT, 2012: Kickstarter campaign raised $2.95M for Form 1, 2017: Launched Form 2, became market leader in desktop SLA, 2019: Launched Form 3 with Low Force Stereolithography (LFS), 2021: Raised $150M Series E at $2B valuation, 2022: Launched Fuse 1+ 30W SLS printer, 2024 Apr: Launched Form 4 and Form 4B with LFD technology, 2024 Jul: Acquired Micronics to advance accessible SLS 3D printing, 2024 Oct: Launched Form 4L large-format printer, 2024: Form 4 named TIME Best Inventions 2024, 2026 Jun: Launched Fuse X1 large-format industrial SLS system starting at $84,999

Notable Customers

Microsoft", "Ford", "NASA", "Google", "Tesla", "Amazon", "Dental laboratories worldwide", "Jewelry manufacturers", "Healthcare providers

https://www.formlabs.com

Recent coverage of Formlabs

Equipment deals on record

Publicly disclosed purchases or installs only.

  • Formlabs Form 4BBuyer: Defense Logistics Agency · Supplier: FORMLABS INC.
  • Form 4LBuyer: Defense Logistics Agency · Supplier: FORMLABS INC.
  • Fuse 1Buyer: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement · Supplier: FORMLABS INC.
  • Form 4LBuyer: Department of the Army · Supplier: FORMLABS INC.
  • Fuse 1 + 30WBuyer: Department of the Navy · Supplier: FORMLABS INC.
View full equipment ledger

Why this company matters

AMPulse analysis, not a company disclosure

Formlabs occupies the leading position in professional desktop stereolithography, having shifted the market from expensive industrial SLA systems to accessible benchtop printers without sacrificing resolution or material quality. Founded in 2011 by MIT Media Lab alumni, the company raised $2.95M via Kickstarter for its first printer and has since grown into a $2B-valued firm with 500–1000 employees and annual revenue estimated between $100M and $500M.

The core technology is VPP-SLA (vat photopolymerization stereolithography), with recent models like the Form 4 and Form 4L using Low Force Display (LFD) to achieve faster print speeds and higher reliability. Formlabs also offers SLS via the Fuse 1+ 30W printer, expanding into powder bed fusion of polymers. The integrated post-processing ecosystem — Form Wash, Form Cure, and Form Cell — automates washing and curing, reducing manual labor for dental labs, jewelry manufacturers, and product design firms.

Customers include Microsoft, Ford, NASA, Google, Tesla, and Amazon, alongside thousands of dental laboratories and healthcare providers. Applications range from rapid prototyping in aerospace and automotive to direct production of dental models, surgical guides, and custom jewelry. The Form Now on-demand service extends access to SLA and SLS printing without capital expenditure.

Formlabs' strategic moat rests on a broad proprietary materials portfolio (Tough V2, Tough 1000/2000, Fast Model Resin), a large installed base, and partnerships with Autodesk and GE Healthcare. Competition from Prusa Research, MakerBot, and Stratasys is intensifying, particularly in accessible SLS and multi-material printing. The company's ability to maintain resolution and throughput advantages while scaling into larger-format and production-grade systems will determine its long-term position.