MaterialsMelbourne, AustraliaFounded 2019· One of 976 Materials companies tracked by AMPulse
Develops a novel material system and binder jetting process for 3D printing ultra-lightweight, mechanically strong carbon composite parts for high-end industrial applications.
CEO / Founder
Erik Palitsch
Team Size
51-200
Stage
Early Stage
Total Funding
$12.5M
Latest Round
Series A
Key Investors
Blackbird Ventures, Main Sequence Ventures, Square Peg Capital, Lockheed Martin Ventures
Technology & Products
Key Products
Novel material system and binder jetting process for 3D printing carbon composite parts; Technology licensing for binder jet 3D printing of carbon composites
Technological Advantage
Proprietary binder jetting process for carbon composites (international patents pending) that allows for low-cost, sustainable manufacturing of high-performance products, addressing a gap in the AM market.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Enables economic manufacturing of high-end carbon composites through a low-cost, sustainable material source and binder jetting process, reducing production costs and expanding design possibilities.
How They Differentiate
Focuses specifically on binder jetting of carbon composites, unlike most binder jetting companies that work with metals or ceramics, offering a unique material-process combination for lightweight, high-strength parts.
Valuation post-Series A: ~$50M; total funding raised $12.5M across Seed and Series A rounds; no new funding rounds in 2024-2026 per company site and investor updates.
Major Milestones
Development of novel material system for binder jetting carbon composites; International patents pending
Freeform Composites is an Australian materials startup that has developed a novel material system and binder jetting process specifically for carbon composites. While most binder jetting companies focus on metals or ceramics, Freeform targets the production of ultra-lightweight, high-strength carbon composite parts, a segment previously difficult to address with this additive manufacturing method. The company's approach aims to reduce production costs and expand design possibilities for high-performance components.
The core technology is a proprietary binder jetting process for carbon composites, supported by international patents pending. The material system is designed to enable low-cost, sustainable manufacturing of parts that are both lightweight and mechanically strong. Freeform's value proposition centers on making carbon composite production more economical through a combination of a novel material source and a binder jetting process tailored to that material.
Freeform targets manufacturers requiring high-performance carbon composite components, particularly in industrial verticals. The company is pursuing a licensing model, offering its material system and binder jetting technology to 3D printer manufacturers. It is actively seeking business partners for commercialization. Known competitors include Arris Composites, Cambium, and Teijin, but Freeform differentiates by focusing exclusively on binder jetting for carbon composites rather than other forming methods.
The company was founded in 2019 and is led by CEO Erik Palitsch, formerly a Principal Architect of Starship Vehicle and lead of Merlin and Raptor rocket engine programs at SpaceX. Freeform has raised $12.5 million in total funding from investors including Blackbird Ventures, Main Sequence Ventures, Square Peg Capital, and Lockheed Martin Ventures, with a post-Series A valuation of approximately $50 million. The company employs between 51 and 200 people.