April 17, 2014
GIGTANK, an annual entrepreneurial accelerator that leverages advanced fiber infrastructure to build next-generation business models in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has selected 12 startup teams for this summer's entrepreneur program. As the newest members of GIGTANK, these emerging entrepreneurs will spend 10-12 weeks preparing startups for the 3D printing/additive manufacturing, smart grid and healthcare markets.
Hosted by The Company Lab (CO.LAB), GIGTANK is an annual startup accelerator that connects seed stage businesses with the tools, capital and connections needed to go to market.
Additive Manufacturing (3D printing) is one of the three focus areas of GIGTANK 2014. GIGTANK is intent on "finding innovative people from diverse backgrounds who want to move the 3D printing industry forward."
This year, the accelerator will accommodate 12 startup teams and 10 specialists throughout the duration of the program, which begins May 12 and ends July 31. Key participation benefits include $15,000 in initial seed funding for startup teams, a $3,000 stipend for specialists, access to a metro-wide fiber optic network with Internet speeds that run 100x faster than the national average, free workspace and free housing from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Startups will then have the opportunity to collaborate with conventional manufacturers to develop pilot programs for potential application in the Chattanooga region and other cities across the U.S.. These winning companies will also have a chance to be selected to participate in a cross-country investment tour, which will cover strategic locations including Silicon Valley and New York City.
Among the 12 startups accepted into GIGTANK, seven companies have a 3D printing focus. They are:
3D Printing/Additive Manufacturing Track:
Feetz is a 3D printing manufacturer and retailer that creates custom-fit footwear for consumers of all shoe sizes. Using patented algorithms and snapshots from the customer's phone, Feetz integrates custom sizing measurements with individual design preferences to bring comfort, fit and style into each pair of hyper-customized shoes.
Lathon Technologies is a producer of affordable dual material desktop 3D printers. The company's leading product, the Lathon 3D Printer, is a dual-nozzle large format printer that prints multi-material parts faster and larger than current desktop printers on the market.
SeamBot is an additive manufacturing technology for clothing makers and crafters worldwide. The platform uses automation technology from the textile industry to enable the rapid creation of clothes and textile products.
The Fab Cloud is a Web platform that facilitates project collaboration between partners and customers in the additive manufacturing industry. This online network connects users with additive project proposals to equipment owners who are looking for clients, while equipping both parties with successful case studies to guide the way.
TrakTek 3D is a mobile manufacturing facility that uses advanced 3D printing to create an array of metal and polymer-based parts on-demand and on-site at the location of clients' choosing. This innovative new platform drastically reduces lead time while bringing lightweight, customized parts to consumers in industries ranging from equestrian sports to automotive racing.
Crossovers in the 3D Printing and Healthcare Tracks:
3DOps is a 3D printing manufacturer that provides contract medical devices for pre-surgical planning. Using patient-specific data, the company creates anatomical 3D models that enable surgeons to plan procedures before operating on patients.
Nestegg Bio is a biotech solutions provider that leverages 3D printing to spur advancements in biomedicine. Using patent-pending technology, the company provides non-toxic scaffolding to the pharmaceutical and research industries – enabling them to make informed decisions about which products to fund and reducing the cost of bring a single drug to market.
National partners and supporters of GIGTANK 2014 include Alcatel-Lucent's ngConnect program, US Ignite, Mozilla and Verizon Wireless, among others.
Posted in 3D Printing Company
Maybe you also like:
- OK International invests in PP3DP to co-develop 3D printers
- HP walks back prior June 3D printer announcement
- Polish 3D printer maker Zortrax to issue $3.3 million bonds due 2017
- 3D metal printer maker SLM Solutions hires bankers to plot IPO
- GIGTANK issues final call for applications to 2014 3D Printing Accelerator
- ExOne makes two acquisitions to broaden post-print processing for nearly $10m
- 3D printing inventor Chuck Hull to be inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame
- 3D Systems buys Digital PlaySpace to bring 3D printing to girls and moms
PLEASE i AM IN SOUTH AFRICA I AM STARTING A PRINTING COMPANY I NEED HELP TO GET A PRINTER GIGTANK selects 7 3D printing PLEASE I WANT TO GROW BIG COMPANY I NEED HELP , I AM NEW ON THIS BUSINESS
3Ders.org provides the latest news about 3D printing technology and 3D printers. We are now seven years old and have around 1.5 million unique visitors per month.
