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Makera

HardwareBeijing, ChinaFounded 2019· One of 1778 Hardware companies tracked by AMPulse

A developer of industrial-grade, intelligent desktop CNC machines and integrated software designed to make precision digital fabrication accessible to creators, educators, and professionals.

CEO / Founder
Josh Zhang (Qiuxi Zhang)
Team Size
11-50
Stage
Growth Stage
Total Funding
$33M
Latest Round
Series A
Key Investors
Huaying Capital (华映资本, joint lead); Beijing AI Industry Fund (北京市人工智能产业投资基金, joint lead); Qiming Venture Partners (启明创投, existing-shareholder over-subscription); Yuanhe Puhua (元禾璞华); CAS Star (中科创星); Qingke Ventures (清科创投)

Technology & Products

Key Products

Carvera: Flagship fully-automated smart desktop CNC, Carvera Air: Compact and affordable entry-level CNC mill, Makera Z1: Entry-level smart desktop CNC (pre-order; IFA 2025 award), Makera Studio: Integrated design and control software suite, Makera CAM: Free CAM / AI-assisted path generation software, 4th-Axis & Laser Modules: Modular hardware expansions, Makera Cyclone Dust Collector: New accessory for cleaner milling

Technological Advantage

Maintains superior rigidity using one-piece cast aluminum frames (vs. standard extruded aluminum) and simplifies the complex CNC workflow through a proprietary AI-powered software ecosystem that automates G-code generation.

Differentiation

Value Proposition

Democratizes precision manufacturing by providing 'one-click' industrial CNC capabilities—such as auto-tool changing and AI-powered pathing—in a compact, user-friendly desktop form factor.

How They Differentiate

Makera differentiates through the 'Bambu Lab' approach to CNC: integrating industrial-grade automation (Auto Tool Changers, auto-leveling, and 4th-axis) into a plug-and-play desktop form factor. Unlike competitors that require manual tool changes or complex setups, Makera machines feature one-piece cast aluminum frames for superior rigidity and a proprietary AI-powered software ecosystem that simplifies the CAM/G-code workflow for non-experts.

Market & Competition

Target Customers

DIY enthusiasts (makers), STEAM educators (K-12 and Universities), product designers, jewelry makers, and research laboratories.

Industry Verticals

Consumer Hardware/DIY, STEAM Education, PCB Prototyping, Jewelry & Art Fabrication, Medical & Scientific Research

Competitors

Carbide 3D (Nomad series); Bantam Tools; Snapmaker; Tormach (xsTech)

Growth & Milestones

Growth Metrics

Z1 Kickstarter raised $10.245M (closed Dec 12, 2025; ~6,927 backers), a CNC-category record; cumulative Kickstarter ~$15M+ across Carvera/Carvera Air/Z1. Company reported >4x revenue growth in 2025 and ~3x YoY in 2026 Q1 (pre-Z1 mass sales). Carvera Air alone raised ~$3.47M (Apr 2024).

Major Milestones

2019: Makera founded (Beijing Makera Technology Co., Ltd.; 法定代表人 张邱溪)., 2021-09: Launched Carvera on Kickstarter, raising ~$1.7–1.78M., 2024-04: Launched Carvera Air on Kickstarter, raising ~$3.47M from 2,098 backers., 2025-09: Makera Z1 won Best in Content Creation at IFA 2025 Innovation Awards., 2025-10: Pre-A round, 数千万元 RMB, exclusive lead Qiming Venture Partners., 2025-10 to 2025-12: Makera Z1 Kickstarter raised $10,245,134 (closed Dec 12, 2025)., 2026-05: Series A 数亿元 RMB; co-led by Huaying Capital and Beijing AI Industry Fund; follow-ons Yuanhe Puhua, CAS Star, Qingke, Qiming over-subscribe.

Notable Customers

MIT Center for Bits and Atoms; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Various STEM/STEAM Education Programs (K-12 and Universities)

https://www.makera.com

Recent coverage of Makera

Why this company matters

AMPulse analysis, not a company disclosure

Makera develops desktop CNC machines that integrate industrial-grade automation into compact, user-friendly form factors. Founded in 2019 and based in Beijing, the company targets the gap between entry-level hobbyist routers and expensive industrial machining centers, aiming to make precision digital fabrication accessible to creators, educators, and professionals.

The core product line includes the Carvera, a fully automated smart desktop CNC with an auto tool changer, auto-probing, and 4th-axis support; the Carvera Air, a more affordable entry-level mill; and the Makera Z1, an AI-powered desktop CNC. All machines use one-piece cast aluminum frames for rigidity, a departure from the extruded aluminum common in consumer CNCs. The proprietary Makera Studio and Makera CAM software automate G-code generation and toolpath planning, simplifying the CNC workflow for non-experts.

Makera serves DIY enthusiasts, STEAM educators, product designers, jewelry makers, and research labs. Notable users include MIT Center for Bits and Atoms and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The company has raised $33M from Qiming Venture Partners and achieved record crowdfunding traction, with the Z1 model raising over 72 million CNY (~$10M USD) in early 2025.

Makera's competitive moat lies in integrating features like auto tool changers and AI-assisted pathing at a price point well below industrial alternatives. Competitors such as Carbide 3D, Bantam Tools, and Snapmaker generally require manual tool changes or offer less rigidity. The key open question is whether Makera can scale production and support to match the reliability expectations of professional users, or whether it will remain primarily a high-end prosumer and education tool.