Autodesk Invests $100 Million Toward The First 3D Printing Fund

Autodesk is opening up a first of it’s kind $100 million 3D printing fund and new partners 3D Hubs, Authentise, and MatterFab. The idea for the new Spark Investment Fund is to give money to startups and designers in the 3D printing space.

The company is now encouraging those interested in developing hardware, software, materials, marketplaces and maker spaces to apply to participate in the Spark Investment Fund’s investment portfolio.

Autodesk announced its Ember open source 3D printer and the Spark platform back in May. The platform is not on the market just yet, but it can work with many different types of 3D printers and materials to create specially designed objects. The design software firm is hoping those in the 3D printing community can help collaborate and improve the platform as well as its associated Ember 3D printer and materials.

Autodesk is looking for some of the best up-and-coming 3D printing companies to invest in. Those who receive investment from the Spark fund will become part of the Autodesk’s Spark partner program and will have access to marketing and other developer services available to Spark partners.

“Numerous industries recognize the value of tapping into entrepreneurs or startups with better ideas and approaches, and 3D printing is no exception,” says Autodesk’s VP of consumer products and 3D printing, Samir Hanna.

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