Makera
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
- Active
- Total Funding
- $33M
- Latest Round
- Pre-A
- Key Investors
- Qiming Venture Partners (启明创投)
Technology & Products
Key Products
["Carvera: Flagship fully-automated smart desktop CNC","Carvera Air: Compact and affordable entry-level CNC mill","Makera Z1: AI-powered desktop CNC with pro-level precision","Makera Studio: Integrated design and control software suite","Makera CAM: Free, AI-assisted path generation software","4th-Axis & Laser Modules: Modular hardware expansions"]
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
Achieved record-breaking crowdfunding traction with the Z1 model raising over 72 million CNY (~$10M USD) in early 2025; Carvera series maintains top historical rankings on Kickstarter in the CNC category.
Major Milestones
["2021-11: Launched Carvera on Kickstarter, raising $1.78M.","2023-10: Launched Carvera Air, raising $1.1M.","2024-10: Secured Pre-A funding led by Tier-1 VC Qiming Venture Partners.","2025-01: Makera Z1 crowdfunding exceeded 72 million CNY ($10M+), setting a new industry record.","2025: Won 'Best in Content Creation' at IFA 2025."]
Notable Customers
MIT Center for Bits and Atoms; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Various STEM/STEAM Education Programs (K-12 and Universities)