GGV backs Singapore dental 3D printing company
GGV Capital has joined a group of investors in a venture round of undisclosed size for Structo, a Singapore-based 3D printing company focused on the dental industry.
Wavemaker Partners, Pavilion Capital, and EDBI also participated. Previous investors include early-stage firms Aletra Capital Partners and Seeds Capital, the latter of which reportedly contributed to a $3 million round in 2016.
Founded as a project at the National University of Singapore in 2014, Structo claims to be the only 3D printing company dedicated solely to the dental industry. It focuses on the design and manufacture of 3D printers, software, and photopolymer materials for tailored dental applications. International operations span the US, Canada, and the UK.
“The recent rise in consumer demand for clear aligners, an orthodontic appliance that can only be produced through additive manufacturing has accelerated the demand for more novel and customized solutions,” Huub van Esbroeck, co-founder and CEO of Structo, said in a statement. “At Structo, we believe there is no one-size-fits-all solution for any specific end-use, in particular for an industry that is as diverse in size and requirements as dental.”
The maturation of 3D printing technology for industrial manufacturing is expected to coincide with a shift in segment leadership from West to East. Previous activity in this trend includes Shenzhen Capital joining a $30 million round for US-based Formlabs and a $107 million round for Divergent 3D, a US operator entering China’s auto manufacturing space. Likewise, Germany’s BASF recently made its first direct VC investment in China with a commitment of undisclosed size in 3D printing player Prismlab.
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