By 3dzyk Snapmaker: The Dark Horse of the Consumer-Grade 3D Printing Track.
On December 10, 2025, consumer-grade 3D printing brand Snapmaker officially announced the completion of a Series B financing round, raising hundreds of millions of yuan. This round was jointly led by Hillhouse Capital and Meituan, with participation from Shunwei Capital, Meituan Longzhu, and Nanshan Strategic Emerging Industry Investment. Existing shareholders Tongchuang Weiye and Orient Securities Capital continued to increase their investment. The raised funds will be primarily used for core technology research and development, attracting high-end talent, and building a content ecosystem, further promoting the adoption and implementation of consumer-grade 3D printing technology.
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From “3-in-1” to Multi-Color Printing: Continuously Breaking Crowdfunding Records
Since its founding in 2016, Snapmaker has consistently focused on the consumer-grade 3D printing sector, dedicated to the mission of “enabling everyone to create freely in the physical world.” Through continuous investment in product innovation and a precise understanding of user needs, the company has repeatedly set new global crowdfunding records in the 3D printing field.
In 2019, the Snapmaker 2.0 raised over 54 million RMB, breaking the global record for technology crowdfunding at the time. It pioneered the “3-in-1 multi-functional” category and rapidly achieved a leading position in the global market.
In 2025, the flagship product Snapmaker U1 3D Printer achieved a crowdfunding amount exceeding 150 million RMB (approximately 20 million USD), making it the highest-funded 3D printing project globally to date. With support from over 20,000 users, it demonstrates the immense potential of multi-color, high-efficiency printing in the consumer market.
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User-Oriented Innovation: Leading the Multi-Color Era of 3D Printing
Snapmaker’s continuous technological iteration stems from a deep understanding of user experience. Through systematic analysis of thousands of user feedback entries and in-depth interviews, the team identified key pain points in multi-color printing, such as low efficiency and material waste.
Leveraging core technological expertise in multi-toolhead coordination and high-precision component self-manufacturing, the U1 integrates the independently developed SnapSwap™ Independent Four-Head Parallel System. This system supports rapid switching between multiple materials, particularly unlocking new application possibilities in multi-color flexible filament printing.
The new system not only achieves a fivefold improvement in printing efficiency and a fivefold reduction in material waste, but also delivers a smoother and more creatively expressive 3D printing experience for users. All crowdfunding orders for the U1 have now been shipped, with a planned global market launch in the first quarter of 2026. The company’s revenue is also expected to see multiple-fold growth.
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Building an Open Ecosystem, Accelerating Talent Acquisition and Global Expansion
“This round of financing is not only a supplement of capital but also a critical milestone for Snapmaker’s transition from ‘product leadership’ to ‘ecosystem maturity,'” stated Chen Xuedong, founder of Snapmaker.
Moving forward, the company will focus on three strategic directions:
- Breakthroughs in Core Technology: Continued investment in R&D to address key user needs such as high-speed printing and multi-color printing.
- Global Talent Expansion: Recruiting top talent in hardware development, AI software, and content ecosystem creation.
- Ecosystem Development: Collaborating with creators, developers, and supply chain partners to lower the barrier to creation, making 3D printing a “universal” creative tool accessible to everyone.
Furthermore, Chen Xuedong emphasized, “We have always believed that talent is the core of innovation.” Currently, Snapmaker has opened recruitment for key positions in mechanical electronics, software and numerical control, marketing, and other fields, aiming to attract more like-minded innovators to join and build an open, mutually beneficial 3D printing ecosystem together.
Undoubtedly, the battle in consumer-grade 3D printing has reignited, and multi-material technology is precisely the catalyst.
The second half of this race will be fought not only with technology but also for talent.
We believe that as more capable players enter the field, the industry is accelerating into a new phase of consolidation and reshuffling.