HZG Group
Canvas Category Consultancy : Company : Private Equity
Our passion for all things technical was the basis for the foundation of a technology enterprise. Our pioneering role in the field of additive manufacturing allowed us to actively shape the market. Now we apply this wealth of experience from our entrepreneurial commitment in a targeted way. That is why the main focus of our investments is on establishing young enterprises as well as sustainable, successful business models. True to the motto “From entrepreneur to entrepreneur,” along with our capital and partner network we also offer expertise and experience. Trust, respect, and partnership: These are the core values we wish to use to create added value for other companies.
Assembly Line
MIT spin-off Rapid Liquid Print raises $7M for 3D printing
MIT spin-off Rapid Liquid Print has raised $7 million in funding for its novel liquid-based 3D printing technology. Boston-based Rapid Liquid Print was founded as an additive manufacturing startup in 2015 as a spin-off from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Germany’s HZG Group led the investment round, joined by BMW i Ventures and MassMutual through MM Catalyst Fund (MMCF).
The name of the company says it all: Rapid Liquid Print is a new 3D printing process developed at MIT’s Self-Assembly Lab in Boston. In this innovative process, a liquid object is “drawn” in three dimensions within a gel suspension. A gantry system injects a liquid material mixture into a container filled with a specifically engineered gel, drawing the desired object into three-dimensional space via a nozzle. The gel holds the object in suspension – as if in zero gravity – while the object cures during printing.
The entire printing process takes minutes and requires no additional support structures to be printed. The printed objects can be used immediately without post-processing.
🖨️ Q.Big 3D completes series A funding round of €2 million
Q.Big 3D, a large-format additive manufacturing (LFAM) firm based in Aalen, has successfully completed its Series A funding round, raising €2 million. The round was spearheaded by 3D printing specialist, HZG Group. Global high-tech engineering firm Manz AG has supported the startup since its inception and continues to do so, with its founder, Dieter Manz, maintaining a personal stake in the company.
A crucial step in additive manufacturing is the nozzle placement, as it’s challenging to maintain component precision during this process. Users typically had to choose between large components with rough surface structures and smaller ones with detailed structures. However, Q.Big 3D’s innovation, the VFGF (Variable Fused Granular Fabrication) process, allows for precise control of extruded plastic, depending on the part’s geometry.
Xolo’s Volumetric 3D Printing Gets €8M Boost
Xolo, the developer of the first commercial volumetric 3D printer, announced that it has successfully closed its latest Series A funding round, raising a total of €8 million ($8.6 million). This comes on the heels of a successful €2.5 million ($2.7 million) seed round in 2021 and follows the unveiling of its proprietary printers called Xube and xolography technology, a revolutionary new method to print any design in seconds. The funds will support xolo’s vision to “transform the 3D printing industry through the use of its revolutionary new xolography process.” The money will also ensure that the startup is well-equipped to expand and serve more cutting-edge academic and industrial research and development groups, as well as enter its first industrial market in the not-too-distant future.
trinckle Scores €3M for 3D Printing Design Configuration Software
3D printing software startup trinckle allows customers to create configurators for customizable 3D printed goods. This enables businesses to save time by automating their workflows. Its Paramate software make it possible to parametrically design customizable orthotics, grippers, production jigs, copper inductors, surf fins, optics, and jewelry.
Now, the company has raised €3 million to beef up its efforts in this area. trinckle hopes to use the money to grow its team and roll out its software worldwide. Interestingly, the round was led by HZG Group the investment fund run by the founders of Concept Laser (now owned by GE Additive), Kerstin and Frank Carsten Herzog.
HZG Additive Manufacturing Tech Fund reaches €60M investment
HZG Group, a venture capital investor based in Germany, has completed an investment round resulting in €60 million for its HZG Additive Manufacturing Tech Fund, which will support Additive Manufacturing startups, primarily based in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland across all areas of Additive Manufacturing and related industrial fields.
The investment fund was reported to be significantly oversubscribed, initially having an upper limit of €50 million and later increased to €60 million. Following a €25 million investment by HZG Group founders Kerstin Herzog and Frank Carsten Herzog, the remaining funds came from entrepreneurs and other investors.