Solidoodle
Affordable consumer-grade FDM desktop 3D printers (Solidoodle Gen 1-5) designed to make 3D printing accessible to small businesses, educators, and homeowners at sub-$1,000 price points.
- CEO / Founder
- Sam Cervantes
- Team Size
- 51-200
- Stage
- Defunct
- Latest Round
- Bootstrapped
Technology & Products
Key Products
Solidoodle 1 (original); Solidoodle 2 (6x6x6 build area; released April 2012); Solidoodle 3; Solidoodle 4 (4th generation; metal extruder); Solidoodle Press (5th generation; enclosed build space, SoliTouch calibration; failed product launch 2015)
Technological Advantage
Claimed advantage: affordable consumer FDM printers with easier calibration (SoliTouch auto-leveling feature). Moat was weak—FDM technology unpatented; competitors (MakerBot, Printrbot, others) offered similar features at overlapping prices.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Lower-cost entry to 3D printing compared to MakerBot and enterprise systems; simplified user experience; community-driven support via SoliForum; price range $299–$1,000.
How They Differentiate
Price: Solidoodle undercut competitors significantly ($349–$899 vs. MakerBot's $1,000+). Ease of use: Auto-calibration (SoliTouch) differentiated late-stage products. Community support: Active SoliForum reduced reliance on corporate support.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Small businesses, educators, hobbyists, homeowners, prosumer makers
Industry Verticals
Education; Small Manufacturing; Hobby/Maker; Prosumer Design
Competitors
MakerBot (market leader in consumer 3D printing; significantly larger market presence); Printrbot; Other consumer FDM manufacturers (RepRap community, clones)
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
Record sales reported in 2013; 70 employees at peak (2015); 10,000+ 3D printers shipped to customers across 60 countries over 5-year operational period (2011–2016). Revenue not disclosed; described as 'millions of dollars in sales' by 2014.
Major Milestones
September 2011: Solidoodle founded by Sam Cervantes with personal savings; April 2012: Solidoodle 2 launched; sold exceptionally well post-NY Tech Day debut; 2013: Record sales year reported; 2014: 50+ employees; millions of dollars in revenue; 2015: Solidoodle Press (Gen 5) launched with defects; manufacturing quality failures and port strike delays caused financial strain; 70-person team began layoffs; March 28, 2016: Solidoodle suspended operations permanently