Freeform, a pioneering startup in laser-based AI manufacturing, has secured a $67 million Series B funding round to accelerate its innovative 3D metal printing technology.
The investment, backed by prominent venture firms including Nvidia’s NVentures, Founders Fund, and Threshold Ventures, will fuel expansion amid growing demand for advanced manufacturing solutions.
Funding Boost for Next-Gen Production
Founded in 2018 by ex-SpaceX engineers Erik Palitsch and Thomas Ronacher, who later left the company, Freeform identified key limitations in traditional metal 3D printing machines that hindered mass production.
The company's GoldenEye system currently employs 18 lasers to fuse metal powders into precision components, already delivering hundreds of mission-critical parts to customers with a substantial contract backlog.
AI-Native Platform and Technological Edge
Freeform's platform stands out as AI-native, leveraging on-site H200 GPU clusters from Nvidia for real-time physics simulations and data-driven improvements in manufacturing workflows.
Sensors embedded in the production process collect unparalleled data on metal-printing physics, enabling superior quality and throughput compared to industry peers.
With the new funding, Freeform plans to evolve GoldenEye into Skyfall, a powerhouse system using hundreds of lasers to produce thousands of kilograms of metal parts daily.
This upgrade positions Freeform to transform manufacturing-as-a-service, rivaling software development speeds for physical products in sectors like aerospace, defense, and energy.
The company aims to hire up to 100 new employees and expand its facilities to meet surging demand and execute on its growing contract pipeline.
CEO Erik Palitsch emphasized their unique edge, stating they run real-time simulations with on-site GPU clusters to master end-to-end manufacturing.
As competitors like Hadrian and VulcanForms raise massive rounds, Freeform's focus on AI integration promises broader industry disruption and scalable innovation.
This funding not only validates Freeform's vision but heralds a future where AI-driven laser manufacturing democratizes high-precision metal production globally.
Maria Lourdes
