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HILOS

PlatformPortland, OregonFounded 2019· One of 191 Platform companies tracked by AMPulse

Customizable 3D-printed shoes produced on demand using sustainable materials.

CEO / Founder
Elias Stahl
Team Size
1-10
Stage
Active
Total Funding
$16.82M
Latest Round
Series A
Key Investors
Eric Sprunk, Greg Bui

Technology & Products

Key Products

Software and manufacturing platform enabling footwear brands to create and introduce 3D-printed footwear locally and on-demand within 72 hours, using AI and AR tools for design conversion.

Technological Advantage

Integration of sustainable materials with advanced Polymer Additive Manufacturing for quick, eco-friendly footwear production.

Differentiation

Value Proposition

Sustainable production that reduces waste and carbon emissions, offering rapid personalized customization through 3D printing.

How They Differentiate

Focus on sustainability and rapid, on-demand customization through 3D printing, reducing waste compared to traditional manufacturing.

Market & Competition

Target Customers

Fashion-conscious consumers interested in sustainable and customizable footwear.

Industry Verticals

Fashion, Sustainable products, Footwear

Competitors

Aidddo, ICad3D+, GRAFIS

Growth & Milestones

Growth Metrics

Not detailed

Major Milestones

Winner of Best in Show and Innovative World Technologies at SXSW ‘22, Launch of HILOS Studio platform

Notable Customers

Helm Boots, Steve Madden (partnership announced October 2024), Dolce Vita (on-demand 3D-printed footwear partnership, announced June 2025), Alexander Wang (3D-printed kitten heel debuted NYFW Spring 2026 collection)

https://hilos.studio

AM patents

AM-relevant patents linked to this company.

Patents
9
Granted
3
Families
9

Leading domains: process (8)

Filings by year: 2023: 2 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 2

  1. FOOTWEAR ASSEMBLY WITH 3-D PRINTED SOLE ASSEMBLY2023230095 · WO
  2. Footwear assembly with 3-D printed, modular sole assembly12490800 · US
  3. FOOTWEAR ASSEMBLY WITH 3-D PRINTED, MODULAR SOLE ASSEMBLY2024085940 · WO
  4. SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR LASTING AN UPPER TO A 3D PRINTED PLATFORM04138605 · EP
  5. SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR LASTING AN UPPER TO A 3D PRINTED PLATFORM2021217012 · WO

Funding rounds

  • Series A$9.7M2025-04-21Lead: Climate Capital
  • Seed$5.0M2023-03-13Lead: Better Ventures
  • Pre Seed$1.6M2021-08-28Lead: Techstars
  • Seed$0.5M2021-01-27Lead: Y Combinator

Why this company matters

AMPulse analysis, not a company disclosure

HILOS operates as a software and manufacturing platform that allows footwear brands to design, customize, and produce 3D-printed shoes on demand. By replacing traditional mass production with localized additive manufacturing, the company aims to reduce the waste and carbon emissions typical of the footwear industry. Its position in Portland's Made in Old Town project reflects a broader push to reshore green manufacturing.

The core technology combines polymer material extrusion (MEX) with HP Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) printing. HILOS Studio, the company's design platform, uses AI and AR tools to convert customer designs into printable files. The claimed 72-hour turnaround from order to delivery is enabled by on-demand production, eliminating inventory and overproduction.

HILOS targets fashion-conscious consumers and footwear brands seeking sustainable, customizable products. Announced partnerships include Helm Boots and Steve Madden (October 2024), as well as collaborations with Unknown Union and designer Ancuta Sarca. The platform serves the fashion and sustainable products verticals, with a focus on reducing the environmental footprint of shoe manufacturing.

The company has raised $16.82 million from investors including former Nike executive Eric Sprunk and Greg Bui. Its competitive differentiation centers on sustainability and rapid customization versus traditional shoemaking or other 3D-printed footwear startups like Aidddo and GRAFIS. A key open question is whether the platform can scale beyond limited-edition runs to compete with the volume and cost structure of conventional footwear manufacturing.