Markforged Cofounders Debut AI Company Backflip with $30 Million in Series A Funding
Artificial intelligence is becoming an integral part of our daily lives. Its ability to optimize workflows, predict outcomes, and adapt in real-time is driving innovation across industries—including additive manufacturing. One of the most exciting developments in this space is the emergence of AI 3D model generators, which appear to be the next frontier for innovation. Just last week, Backflip—an AI 3D model generator created by CEO Greg Mark and CTO David Benhaim, who founded the 3D printing company Markforged—secured a $30 million Series A investment, signaling significant momentum in this evolving field.
3D model generators have existed for years, but they have primarily been designed for applications like animation, video games, and other digital formats—and are not optimized for 3D printing. However, the potential for this technology in additive manufacturing has caught the attention of enthusiasts and developers alike. Recently, dozens of new and improved AI 3D model generators have entered the market. Earlier this year, Bambu Lab introduced a generator through MakerWorld that allows users to create 3D-printable fantasy creatures using a picture or text prompt. Other platforms, like Deemos Technologies’ Rodin Gen One, have already proven their capabilities in creating 3D models high-quality enough for 3D printing.
Examples of 3D models generated by Backflip
So, how will Backflip differentiate itself in a market that, very soon, may be saturated? Their AI 3D design tools were created with the physical world in mind. The company was born out of an audacious premise: “What if designers and engineers could go from ideas to reality at the speed of their imagination? What if one designer could move at the speed of 100?”
On December 19th, 2024, Backflip released its first product, which essentially allows users to create a design in three steps. First, they describe what they want, either through text, a drawing or an image. Then, Backflip’s AI converts the prompt into a 3D model—with just one click. Finally, the designer can print the model in metal, carbon fiber or plastic.
“AI language models capture how we think, vision models capture how we see, and Backflip is creating foundation models that capture how we build,” Behaim said. “We’ve invented a novel neural representation that teaches AI to think in 3D, unlocking a new category of models. That development yields 60x more efficient training, 10x faster inference and 100x the spatial resolution of existing state of the art methods.”
Funding for the Future
The $30 million in funding was co-led by NEA and Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). Angel investors include CTO of Microsoft and co-founder of LinkedIn Kevin Scott, Android founder and AI futurist Rich Miner, and Ashish Vaswani, co-author of the groundbreaking Attention is All You Need research paper.
“The promise of AI extends far beyond transforming knowledge—it is the catalyst for building a world once only imagined,” said Lila Tretikov, NEA Partner and Head of AI Strategy. “I seek out extraordinary founders capable of driving this transformative vision across massive industries, from manufacturing and construction to transportation and robotics. The Backflip team stands at the forefront of this new industrial age at a pivotal time revitalizing American manufacturing, strengthening national security, and accelerating economic prosperity.”
A 3D printed copper mug designed in Backflip
Designers and engineers rely on conventional 3D design software to bring their concepts to life as digital models, shaping the modern world around us. These tools serve as the foundation of countless industries, enabling the creation of everything from special effects in movies, to aircrafts and consumer goods. However, many of these tools are often cumbersome and slow. The Backflip team hopes their platform will revolutionize the way AI models are generated, and what’s more, offer high-resolution models that are designed to be 3D-printed.
“The last 50 years has brought incredible improvement to the pace of innovation in software and electronics, but the design of physical products has lagged behind,” Mark said. “We’re building a next-generation design tool that allows a small team to move with the velocity of the biggest engineering army in the world. This is a giant leap forward in bringing design and manufacturing back to the US.” To learn more about Backflip, visit their website here.
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*All Photo Credits: Backflip
