3DEO, design, engineering, and metal additive manufacturing (AM) company has announced an investment from the Development Bank of Japan Inc. (DBJ) and Seiko Epson Corporation (EPSON). This partnership marks a step in 3DEO's expansion.
3DEO
Co-founders Matt Petros (CEO) & Payman Torabi (CTO) at 3DEO Headquarters in Torrance, CA
3DEO's approach focuses on a specialisation in complex metal 3D printed components/assemblies and advanced Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) and is underpinned by a differentiated portfolio of 18 patents. 3DEO's purpose-driven vision empowers customers to innovate and design competitively positioned products, while its end-to-end solution, encompassing proprietary software, metal 3D printers, robotics, and materials, streamlines the production process. This integration reduces the complexity for clients, allowing them to scale up without needing to master AM processes themselves, supported by 3DEO's DfAM training and expertise.
The investment will aid 3DEO’s growth strategies in North America and Japan, expanding opportunities for partnership in several industrial sectors including medical devices.
Matthew Petros, CEO and co-founder of 3DEO, said: "The collaboration with DBJ and EPSON is a powerful endorsement of our mission to empower product and engineering teams across the globe. This investment is not just capital; it's a commitment to a shared vision of challenging what’s possible through the combination of additive design principles and differentiated capabilities.”
In Japan, there is a strong belief in conventional metalworking based on precision casting, which has supported the growth of the machining and assembly industry, as well as the optimisation of the supply chain in terms of quality and cost. However, while there is a movement toward research and development of AM technologies and DfAM, the adoption rate at production sites faces significant barriers. This collaboration aims to address these challenges, contributing to the advancement of AM technologies within Japan's established manufacturing landscape.
The strategic investment by DBJ and EPSON aligns with DBJ's mandate to foster “technological innovation and reorganisation of industry,” and with Epson's mission to promote “manufacturing innovation” under its Epson 25 Renewed Corporate Vision. Made through the DBJ Start-ups and Innovation Fund, the investment will bolster 3DEO’s business expansion in North America and Japan, igniting a new era of global innovation and production efficiency.
Payman Torabi, CTO and co-founder of 3DEO, said: "By integrating 3DEO's AM capabilities with the meticulous engineering tradition of Japan, we aim to unlock new levels of productivity and expand the manufacturing possibilities in one of the world's leading economies. This investment is a testament to the trust and potential seen in 3DEO's innovative approach. We are excited to collaborate with DBJ and Epson, leveraging their expertise and market reach to enhance and refine the landscape of Additive Manufacturing."
DBJ and EPSON's investment will enable 3DEO to use the Japanese manufacturing industry's strengths while fostering technological advancements in both regions. DBJ will provide support to 3DEO and work closely with Epson and other stakeholders to proactively support 3DEO in building its business and increasing its corporate value. In addition, DBJ will serve as a nexus for all parties involved, including the national and local governments and related private companies, and contribute to the social implementation of DfAM in Japan, aiming to contribute to the innovation and restructuring of the manufacturing industry.
