The Forward AM Innovation Award 2022 and the Importance of 3D Printing Startups
Last year, BASF Forward AM presented the first Forward AM Innovation Award. The contest was held to find startups using 3D printing in the most interesting and exciting applications and the four finalists, Cosm Medical, Wyve, SYOS and Hilos certainly did not disappoint. Now, the next edition has been announced and innovative startups can already start to apply! We sat down with the team from BASF 3D printing to learn more about the Forward AM Innovation Award 2022 and what applying start-ups can expect.
Could you introduce yourself and the Forward AM Innovation Award?
At Forward AM, we love to work with entrepreneurs leveraging the possibilities of Additive Manufacturing. Under the brand Forward AM, BASF 3D Printing Solutions aims at industrializing AM by offering materials and solutions. As a team, we’ve been very keen to support the 3D printing startup ecosystem and help it accelerate. This year is the second edition of the Forward AM Innovation Award, the global contest for startups using Additive Manufacturing. The call for application is open until July 17th, so it’s time to apply now!
The startup competition was launched first in 2021 by BASF Forward AM
Key industry leaders interested in supporting startups and innovations team up to join forces and help accelerate 3D printing startups that create high-potential products thanks to Additive Manufacturing. More than 100,000€ in prizes are available this year. Four finalists will be chosen during the Semi-Finals, each winning 10,000€ and a chance to pitch live at the Finals on September 30th, 2022. Three Awards are available for the winning startups: the Grand Prize of 50,000€, the Sustainability Award of 15,000€ and the Public’s Choice Award of 15,000€. All prizes will be redeemed with our partner IAM3DHUB.
This year, Forward AM is delighted to count four Gold Sponsors who will select the winning startups: HP, Photocentric, Sculpteo and Stratasys. AMT and atum3D are joining as Silver Sponsors. Both Gold and Silver sponsors are playing a key role at supporting the 3D printing startup ecosystem thanks to their participation. A great team of ecosystem partners will be providing exposure as well: AM Ventures, Asimov Ventures, MGA, MatterHackers, Women in 3D Printing, along with key 3D printing media partners: 3Dnatives, 3DPrint.com, 3Druck.com and All3DP. We thank the sponsors and partners for their dedication in supporting the 3D printing startup ecosystem.
3DN: Could you tell us about last year/the winners?
First of all, let me just say that we were overwhelmed by the number of great applications we received from all over the world. The jury had the difficult task to select the winning startups from 145 applications coming from 36 countries. For us, it was also exciting to see the diversity of sectors represented, from healthcare to consumer goods, industrial engineering to automotive, and a lot of original projects.
The three winning startups from last year all leveraged the possibilities of Additive Manufacturing for producing end parts.The winner of the Grand Prize was Cosm Medical, a Canadian startup focusing on 3D printing pessaries for women suffering from pelvic floor issues. The winner of the Sustainability Award was Wyve, making 3D printed surfboards from recycled plastics. Their unique honeycomb design enhances performance and makes them easy to repair. And the winner of the Public’s Choice Award was SYOS, creating custom 3D printed saxophone mouthpieces for musicians. Their solution is adopted by world-famous artists across the world. All of them benefited from access to key industry leaders and were able to accelerate their business, from support with 3D modeling and simulation to material and technologies comparisons, mentoring and exposure.
The finalists from the first Forward AM Awards used 3D printing in innovative and important applications
3DN: What do we need to know about the Forward AM Innovation Award 2022?
At Forward AM, we are convinced that Additive Manufacturing will continue to shape the future of many sectors. By combining high-performance materials with exciting and innovative applications, we are aiming at industrializing AM and highlighting the work of trailblazing entrepreneurs who are leveraging 3D printing to create the products of tomorrow.
For this Forward AM Innovation Award 2022 edition, we are more focused than ever on our 5 key criteria: efficient use of Additive Manufacturing, a sustainable approach, potential for scalability, a good team, and IP strategy. The application phase is open until July 17th. We invite all the startups creating products with 3D printing to apply! The Selection Jury will then meet to score and pick the top 16 applications. In September, these startups will pitch in front of the jury during the Semi-Finals. And the big Finals will happen on September 30th at the IAM3D Hub in Barcelona and live online for a unique hybrid event not to miss.
3DN: Any last words for our readers?
If you are a startup using 3D printing, make sure to apply by July 17th HERE. We’re looking forward to your application!
Will you be applying to the Forward AM Innovation Award 2022? Let us know in a comment below or on our LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages! Don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter here, the latest 3D printing news straight to your inbox! You can also find all our videos on our YouTube channel.
*All Image Credits: BASF Forward AM
