10 startups announced for the 2019 Stanley + Techstars additive manufacturing accelerator program

Ten companies have been announced to participate in the 2019 STANLEY+Techstars Additive Manufacturing Accelerator program based in Hartford, Connecticut. This year’s class includes 10 companies from around the globe who are focused on additive manufacturing and on developing sustainable packaging solutions. This year’s addition on sustainable packaging reflects Stanley Black & Decker’s commitment to “help build a more sustainable world” as part of its partnership with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

Run by Techstars, a Colorado-based venture capital firm, and multinational tool manufacturer Stanley Black & Decker, this program supports and mentors startups with the aim of forwarding new technologies onto the market. “We reviewed applications from 30+ countries and have accepted companies from Spain, Germany, India, Texas, New York, Boston and California,” said Claudia Reuter, managing director of the STANLEY+Techstars Accelerator. “I’m also thrilled to share that nearly half of our 2019 program companies have a female founder, particularly since roughly only 3% of venture funding typically goes to female-led companies. Each of the 10 companies we have selected are exceptional and have the potential to disrupt industries and change the world for the better.”

Claudia Reuter, Managing Director at Techstars, explained, “We’ve had time to assess the program’s focus and expanded our efforts to work with companies across the advanced manufacturing vertical, with an emphasis on those working on innovations in additive manufacturing and sustainable packaging.”

“In 2018, Stanley Black & Decker signed a pledge with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in an effort to ‘help build a more sustainable world’ and we are energized to adjust our program to work with startups who also share that goal.”

The 2019 STANLEY+Techstars class includes:

• Accelerate3D – Manufactures large-scale 3D printers which print 10X faster than the market standard
• CRASTE – Builds sustainable products for packaging from waste crop residue
• Boxologic – Creates robotic, instant, right-size packaging for e-commerce fulfillment
• NVEarth – Produces bio-based lubricants, cleaners and absorbents
• OCCO – Provides molecularly fresher ingredients in more sustainable packaging
• Prinsta – Develops the next generation of electronics manufacturing
• Triditive – Developed AMCELL, the first automated industrial hybrid AM machine for mass production
• Tuffel – Focuses on building the next generation of power tools
• Umeleon – Provides customized filaments for FDM printers on demand
• WOMP – An AI-powered platform for generating, interacting and making objects

These 10 startups are co-locating to Stanley Black & Decker’s new Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence – Manufactory 4.0 – located in Hartford, CT for the next several months. The accelerator will culminate with a special Demo Day on October 10, 2019 that will be open to the public.

“Additive manufacturing is one of the most important areas of technological transformation today and has the potential to influence the future direction of the industries in which our businesses operate,” said Marty Guay, Vice President, Business Development at Stanley Black & Decker. “At the same time, there is a tremendous need to eradicate waste and pollution driven by plastic packaging around the world. Between these two categories, we hope to see these startups challenge the status quo and bring new ideas and technologies to fruition. We’re proud to help provide the accelerator and the platform to do so.”

The STANLEY+Techstars program helps emerging companies build their businesses via funding and mentorship. Within one year of participating in the program, the first STANLEY+Techstars class has collectively raised over $6 million and several companies have expanded or are in talks for deals with major companies. Four of the startups are establishing their business presence in Connecticut – CALT Dynamics from Ireland, MetalMaker 3D from Canada, Astroprint from San Diego and Kwambio from the Ukraine.