3D Spark Unites Industry Leaders and Strategic Advisors in Successful Community Round Following €2M Seed Funding

Hamburg, Germany - November 2025 - 3D Spark, the startup behind an AI-powered manufacturing optimization platform, has successfully closed its invite-only community Round, bringing together a select group of industry leaders, strategic advisors, and investors to support its mission of making industrial production more efficient, transparent, and sustainable.

Following its €2 million seed funding earlier this year, the initiative further strengthens 3D Spark’s network, bringing together individuals who combine deep technical expertise, strong industry networks, and proven leadership in scaling technology ventures.

“This round was about more than funding - it was about building a community around our mission,” said Ruben Meuth, Founder and CEO of 3D Spark. “We’re honored to have such outstanding leaders from industry, research, and entrepreneurship join us in driving more efficient, sustainable, and digital manufacturing globally.”

Angel Investors & Advisors

The round brings together prominent figures from manufacturing, software, finance, and academia who will support 3D Spark in its next growth phase.

• Jens Schumann
  Co-founder, Tipp24 (now ZEAL Network SE)
  Serial entrepreneur who scaled Tipp24 from startup to IPO through international expansion. He advises 3D Spark on scaling strategies and sustainable growth.

• Andreas Saar
  Former Vice President, Siemens PLM Software
  At Siemens, Andreas pioneered hybrid and additive manufacturing software and was an early advocate of industrial 3D printing.  

• Prof. Dr.-Ing. Claus Emmelmann
  Founder, Laser Zentrum Nord (now Fraunhofer IAPT)
  One of Europe’s leading experts in laser and additive manufacturing, Claus founded Laser Zentrum Nord to bridge research and industry - where 3D Spark’s founding team first met and completed their doctoral studies.  

• Dr. Omar Fergani
  Co-Founder & CEO, 1000 Kelvin
  A deep-tech entrepreneur and former Siemens Digital Industries leader, Omar has founded and exited ventures including Navasto, 1000 Kelvin, Neoforge, and Digimind. He advises 3D Spark on scaling software startups and AI-driven manufacturing optimization.

• Dr. Jan Wilkes
  Global R&D Head, Fette Compacting | Former Global R&D Head, SLM Solutions
  With a PhD in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA, Jan combines technical depth with business leadership. He supports 3D Spark in developing industrially robust and future-oriented technologies.

• Jan Peter Schween
  Co-Founder & Head of Sales, SWARM Biotactics | Former VP Sales EMEA, Dedrone
  Brings over a decade of experience in high-tech and security markets, having led Dedrone’s EMEA expansion through a $500M exit. Advises 3D Spark on scalable go-to-market and B2B/B2G sales strategies.

• Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jens Telgkamp
  Professor, HAW Hamburg | Former R&T Lead Additive Manufacturing, Airbus
  Combines aerospace engineering and academic research experience, supporting 3D Spark in meeting the standards of aerospace and other regulated industries.

• Dr. Karsten Klinger
  CFO, iC Consult Group | Former CEO, Service Layers
  With a doctorate in Business Informatics, Karsten blends financial expertise and technological insight to advise on financial strategy and long-term scalability.

• Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jens Wulfsberg
  Head of Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory, Helmut Schmidt University | Former R&D Lead, Olympus.
  ‍A leading expert in manufacturing systems and smart factory integration.

Several other angel investors and 3D Spark team members also participated, underscoring their personal commitment to the company’s mission and long-term success.

With this strong network of strategic investors and advisors, 3D Spark is well-positioned to expand into new verticals beyond rail, diversify into manufacturing technologies beyond additive manufacturing, and enter new international markets including the United States.

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Meet 3D Spark at Formnext 2025

Visit Booth 12.1 D72 from November 18-21 in Frankfurt to experience how AI-driven insights can reduce costs, lead time, and CO₂ emissions in manufacturing.

About 3D Spark

3D Spark provides AI-powered software that helps manufacturers reduce costs, lead time, and CO₂ emissions by instantly identifying the best way to manufacture or procure their mechanical parts. The platform analyzes 3D CAD files, 2D drawings, and metadata to deliver manufacturability insights, technology comparisons, cost and lead time calculations, and CO₂ footprint estimates - all in one place.

It automates make-or-buy decisions, quotation workflows, and supplier sourcing, and can evaluate single parts or entire portfolios of thousands of components to uncover cost, time, and CO₂ savings, as well as performance improvement opportunities through Design for Additive Manufacturing.

Spun out of the Fraunhofer research institute in 2021, 3D Spark is trusted by leading industrial players including Alstom, ZF, and ÖBB. The company’s mission is to make manufacturing more efficient, scalable, and sustainable.

Press Contact
3D Spark GmbH
Klaus-Groth-Str. 88, 20535 Hamburg, Germany
Nihal Gupta (nihal.gupta@3dspark.de)
www.3dspark.de

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