PanOptimization
Develops PanX, a finite element-based AM process simulation and optimization solver that predicts and actively improves print outcomes for large and geometrically complex parts, enabling qualification and eliminating costly trial-and-error builds.
- CEO / Founder
- Pan Michaleris
- Team Size
- 1-10
- Stage
- Active
- Total Funding
- $451.8K
- Latest Round
- Grant
- Key Investors
- National Science Foundation; Ben Franklin Technology Partners
Technology & Products
Key Products
PanX
Technological Advantage
Founded by the technical authorities who developed the industry's first commercial AM simulation tools (Netfabb Simulation); PanX uses Multi-Grid Modeling and Periodic Octree Adaptivity to handle complexity and scale (26M nodes/50M elements) better than legacy FEA systems, completing in hours what traditional approaches cannot mesh.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Eliminates costly trial-and-error builds by providing high-accuracy simulation and gradient-based optimization (using adjoint sensitivity analysis) for extreme geometric complexity and large-scale parts, enabling qualification and accelerating time-to-successful-print.
How They Differentiate
Offers superior simulation accuracy and optimization speed for complex geometries compared to incumbents like Autodesk Netfabb, leveraging the expertise of the original Netfabb Simulation creators.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Aerospace, defense, and biomedical manufacturers using LPBF and DED processes.
Industry Verticals
Aerospace; Defense; New Space; Energy; Automotive; Biomedical
Competitors
Autodesk; Ansys; Hexagon
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
PanOptimization is a profitable company run entirely on PanX licensing revenue that does not accept outside funding. As of 2026, the company has expanded to 6+ team members including Distinguished Engineer Tyler Nelson (promoted 2026), Daniel Bartilson (joined 2025), Evan Butcher, and Juls Scott (joined 2025). Growth is driven by licensing revenue across aerospace, defense, new space, energy, and automotive sectors. Key partnerships include Xact Metal (announced September 2024/December 2025), Velo3D, and Synera. Software licensing contracts include University of Oklahoma ($55K in 2025, $72K in 2026), Lockheed Martin ($77.9K in 2022).
Major Milestones
Acquisition of previous company Pan Computing by Autodesk (2016); Founding of PanOptimization (2021); Partnership with Synera for marketplace integration (2024); Partnership with Xact Metal announced (September 2024/December 2025); Tyler Nelson promoted to Distinguished Engineer (2026); Daniel Bartilson joined as Principal Computational Mechanics Engineer (2025); Juls Scott joined as Operations Manager (2025)
Notable Customers
Velo3D; Xact Metal; Lockheed Martin Corporation; University of Oklahoma; Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL); Department of the Navy (NSWC Carderock Division); AMCM GmbH