Lincotek

ApplicationRubbiano, ItalyFounded 1973· One of 686 Application companies tracked by AMPulse

Vertically integrated contract manufacturer providing end-to-end additive manufacturing services for medical implants, including design, prototyping, serial production, coating, and final assembly.

CEO / Founder: Andrea Colombo
Team Size: 1001-5000
Stage: Established
Total Funding: $26.4M
Latest Round: Acquired
Key Investors: Eagle Capital Ventures; The Equity Club

Technology & Products

Key Products

SportLinc Syndesmosis Device (FDA 510(k) cleared); 3D-printed orthopedic screws (patented); Cervical spine implant systems; Custom orthopedic implants; Surface coating solutions (e.g., HAnano technology)

Technological Advantage

Proprietary metal AM processes for medical implants, validated through FDA 510(k) clearances (e.g., K252081 for SportLinc) and patents (e.g., for 3D-printed orthopedic screws). Vertically integrated model with in-house coating and finishing reduces supply chain complexity and ensures quality control, protected by trade secrets and regulatory approvals.

Differentiation

Value Proposition

Reduces time-to-market for trauma and sports medicine products by providing FDA-cleared predicate devices (e.g., SportLinc Syndesmosis Device) and full-service manufacturing, enabling partners to bypass significant regulatory hurdles and achieve faster commercialization.

How They Differentiate

Unlike pure-play AM bureaus, Lincotek offers full vertical integration including forging, casting, machining, and proprietary surface coatings alongside metal AM, reducing lead times and providing regulatory-ready implant systems. Its FDA-cleared predicate devices (e.g., SportLinc) provide a unique regulatory shortcut for OEM partners.

Market & Competition

Target Customers

Orthopedic Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), medical device companies, and healthcare providers

Industry Verticals

Medical; Aerospace; Energy

Competitors

Materialise; 3D Systems (Healthcare division); Stryker (AMMG); Smith & Nephew (Additive Manufacturing)

Growth & Milestones

Growth Metrics

Operates about 40 industrial 3D printers across facilities in Memphis, TN, USA, and Trento, Italy; Aims to produce 100,000 medical 3D printed parts per year

Major Milestones

1973: Company founded; 2020: Rebranded as Lincotek; 2023: Celebrated 50th anniversary; 2024: FDA 510(k) clearance for SportLinc Syndesmosis Device (K252081); 2024: Patent secured for 3D-printed orthopedic screw; 2026: Appointment of new Global General Manager for Medical Division

Notable Customers

Johnson & Johnson; Stryker; Zimmer Biomet; Smith+Nephew; Medtronic; Globus Medical; NuVasive; Orthofix; Wright Medical; Exactech; Arthrex; Corin; LimaCorporate; Medacta; Aesculap; DJO Global; ConforMIS; FH Orthopedics; Integra LifeSciences; Össur

https://www.lincotek.com

Funding rounds

Loan$3.5M2020-04Source: CB Insights (Lincotek Medical)
Acquired$26.12M2018-10Source: CB Insights (Lincotek Surface Solutions)

Why this company matters

AMPulse analysis, not a company disclosure

Lincotek is a vertically integrated contract manufacturer that provides end-to-end additive manufacturing services for medical implants, including design, prototyping, serial production, coating, and final assembly. Founded in 1973 and headquartered in Rubbiano, Italy, the company has evolved from a traditional surface-coating specialist into a full-service AM partner for orthopedic OEMs, operating about 40 industrial metal 3D printers across facilities in Memphis, Tennessee, and Trento, Italy.

The company's core technologies span metal PBF-LB, PBF-EB, and DED-LB, enabling production of trauma and sports medicine implants, cervical spine systems, and custom orthopedic devices. Lincotek's distinctive value proposition lies in combining additive manufacturing with proprietary surface treatments such as HAnano (licensed from Promimic) and plasma spray coatings under one roof, reducing supply chain complexity and ensuring quality control. Its FDA 510(k)-cleared SportLinc Syndesmosis Device (K252081) and patented 3D-printed orthopedic screws provide OEM partners a regulatory shortcut to commercialization.

Lincotek serves major orthopedic OEMs including Johnson & Johnson, Stryker, Zimmer Biomet, Smith+Nephew, Medtronic, and Globus Medical, among others. The company also serves aerospace and energy sectors but derives its primary competitive advantage from medical implant manufacturing. Unlike pure-play AM bureaus such as Materialise or 3D Systems' healthcare division, Lincotek offers full vertical integration including forging, casting, machining, and proprietary coatings alongside metal AM, reducing lead times and delivering regulatory-ready implant systems.

With $26.4 million in total funding from Eagle Capital Ventures and The Equity Club, Lincotek aims to produce 100,000 medical 3D-printed parts per year. Its strategic moat is reinforced by FDA clearances, patents, trade secrets, and partnerships with EOS, 3D Systems, Concept Laser, and Höganäs. The open question is whether its vertically integrated model can scale cost-effectively against larger in-house AM operations at Stryker or Smith+Nephew, which also invest heavily in additive manufacturing for implants.