Velo3D

Name

Velo3D

Legal name

Velo3D, Inc.

Website

https://velo3d.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Metal Additive Manufacturing Systems

NAICS

Fluid Power Cylinder and Actuator Manufacturing (333995)

SIC

Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559)

akta.pro primary industry

Metal 3D Printers (LPBF/SLM/DMLS, Binder Jetting, DED/LENS/WAAM) (IMAAAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Prototype Jigs, Fixtures & Assembly Aids (Additive) (IMAAAFAE), Inspection, Metrology & Certification Services for Additive Parts (IMAAADAN)

Keywords

• Metal additive manufacturing
• Laser powder bed fusion
• Industrial 3D printing
• Aerospace defense manufacturing
• Digital manufacturing software

Headquarters

HQ city

Campbell

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Sapphire printer hardware sales: One-time sale of Sapphire and Sapphire XC metal 3D printing systems (priced in the millions per system). Velo3D supplied 25 machines to SpaceX alone and 400-system long-term capacity plan disclosed in March 2026. Hardware sales remain the primary revenue driver in 2026.
2. Rapid Production Solutions (RPS): Service offering where Velo3D prints parts for customers in its own facility using Sapphire systems, eliminating the need for capital investment. RPS accounted for 25% of revenue and half of backlog in Q1 2026, with gross margin uplift (7.5% to 17.2% YoY). Includes on-demand part production from 1 to 10,000+ parts with DfAM optimization.
3. Manufacturing Network licensing / contract production: Revenue share or service fees generated through Velo3D's certified Contract Manufacturer network (Addman, Keselowski, Knust-Godwin, Valiant, ATI, Mears Machine, SBO, Taiyo Nippon Sanso, PWR) that produces parts using Sapphire systems under the Golden Print File standard.
4. Software, training, and lifecycle services: Recurring and one-time revenue from Flow pre-print software, Assure quality control, Flow Developer, PanX integration, training, Technical Account Management, installation, and extended support services bundled with Sapphire sales.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion5 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Velo3D designs, manufactures, and sells metal laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) additive manufacturing systems, anchored by the Sapphire family of printers, paired with proprietary Flow print-preparation software and Assure quality control software. It complements hardware sales with two service offerings: Rapid Production Solutions (RPS), where Velo3D prints parts on customer behalf, and a Global Manufacturing Network of certified contract manufacturers for surge capacity via the Golden Print File standard.

Product overview

Velo3D offers a fully integrated metal additive manufacturing platform rather than a single standalone product. The architecture centers on the Sapphire family of laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) printers—comprising the Sapphire, Sapphire 1MZ, Sapphire XC, and Sapphire XC 1MZ—which share the proprietary Intelligent Fusion process and the Golden Print File format that guarantees identical part quality across any printer worldwide. This hardware is tightly coupled with two software pillars: Flow print preparation software (which includes the Flow Developer extension for custom parameter creation) and Assure quality control software, both of which run alongside the printers. On top of this platform, Velo3D layers two service offerings: Rapid Production Solutions (RPS), an end-to-end contract manufacturing service for customers who want printed parts without owning equipment, and the Global Manufacturing Network, a hybrid ecosystem of qualified contract manufacturers across the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific for surge capacity. The Qualified Materials Library of 16+ metal alloys (nickel, aluminum, titanium, steel, and copper alloys) completes the integrated solution, with the entire stack serving aerospace, defense, and energy customers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sapphire: Family of metal additive manufacturing laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) printers (including Sapphire, Sapphire 1MZ, Sapphire XC, and Sapphire XC 1MZ) with Intelligent Fusion process.
• Rapid Production Solutions (RPS)
• Flow
• Assure
• Manufacturing Network

Products and services

• Sapphire Printer Industry-leading laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) metal 3D printing system with dual 1 kW lasers, 315 mm diameter x 400 mm z build volume, SupportFree printing for zero-degree overhangs, and integrated Assure quality control. Designed for aerospace, defense, and energy manufacturers.
• Sapphire 1MZ Printer Tall configuration of the Sapphire printer with a 315 mm diameter x 1000 mm z-height build volume, same geometric capabilities and build parameters as standard Sapphire, for taller components without sacrificing precision.
• Sapphire XC Printer Large-format, high-volume LPBF metal 3D printer with eight 1 kW lasers, 600 mm diameter x 550 mm z build volume, throughput up to 800 cc/hr, and a non-contact recoater for production-scale manufacturing.
• Sapphire XC 1MZ Printer Tall configuration of the Sapphire XC with a 600 mm diameter x 1000 mm z-height build volume - the largest LPBF build volume available from Velo3D - with the same eight-laser architecture and build parameters as standard Sapphire XC.
• Flow Print Preparation Software Pre-print software that simplifies the metal AM workflow with native CAD import (no STL conversion), build layout, parameter customization, thermomechanical simulation, and detailed inspection of print instructions.
• Assure Quality Control Software Real-time, multi-sensor, physics-based quality control software providing layer-by-layer traceability of machine health, part integrity, and build reporting. Integrates with Grafana for custom dashboards from nearly 1,000 sensor readings.
• Rapid Production Solutions (RPS) End-to-end metal additive manufacturing production service that combines intelligent process control, integrated software, and a scalable production ecosystem to help customers qualify designs and transition to full-scale production without capital investment. Positions at $0 capital investment with per-part pricing.
• Global Manufacturing Network Hybrid global network of Velo3D-qualified contract manufacturers across the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific that enables surge capacity through the Golden Print File, guaranteeing identical part quality at any site.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced 80+ parts into a single continuous print in customer case studies
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers25 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability7 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship — 25 machines deployed; spacex is the largest customer relationship, major — recent strategic partnership for gas turbine additive manufacturing, major — motorsport co-development and sponsorship, flagship — first qualified am vendor, expands crada to develop/qualify parts for ground combat vehicles, major — co-developed mission-critical spacecraft component, flagship — $32.6m project forge contract, major — irocket acquired velo3d sapphire printers and adopted rps for reusable launch vehicles and defense hardware, major — research partnership to advance aerospace and defense additive manufacturing, major — strategic material supplier partnership for aheadd cp1 alloy, major — direct software integration with flow print preparation software, moderate — software integration for sapphire and sapphire xc metal 3d printers, major — strategic production supplier for major u.s. defense oem, major — defense technology partnership for drone manufacturing, core — americas manufacturing network partner, core — europe manufacturing network partner, core — asia-pacific manufacturing network partner, core — asia-pacific manufacturing network partner; also a major early customer for aheadd cp1 alloy, major — $6m contract to develop cuni powder for u.s. navy, moderate — aerospace customer using rps to scale commercial aircraft program and major — jaqs-sq group 1 project call winner for defense supply chain qualification.

• SpaceXflagship — 25 machines deployed; spacex is the largest customer relationshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 June 2026$8M agreement comprising a $5M non-exclusive license to Velo3D's AM technology and $3M for engineering and support services, signed after 2024 acquisition rumors did not materialize. Velo3D supplied Sapphire machines to SpaceX in 2018 and 2021; SpaceX now operates 25 Sapphire machines and uses the 'pure Velo platform' to produce the most recent Raptor engine. CEO Arun Jeldi confirmed parts are being produced for the next-generation Raptor 4 engine, with discussions for additional orders.
• Aurelia Technologiesmajor — recent strategic partnership for gas turbine additive manufacturingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2026Strategic partnership to advance additive manufacturing in next-generation gas turbine systems, beginning with feasibility studies and material/process development on Velo3D's Sapphire XC platform before progressing to qualification and low-rate initial production. Aims to consolidate assemblies, reduce fasteners and joints, and address long-lead forgings and tooling-heavy processes.
• Andretti Performancemajor — motorsport co-development and sponsorshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 April 2026Official sponsor and additive manufacturing technology provider for two 2026 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge events at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca and Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Velo3D branding on the No. 43 Andretti Performance Porsche; designed and manufactured an aluminum CP1 radio controls mounting bracket using Constellium's Aheadd CP1 alloy as a demonstration of generative design and high-performance alloys.
• U.S. Army DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC)flagship — first qualified am vendor, expands crada to develop/qualify parts for ground combat vehiclesStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 January 2026Cooperative Research & Development Agreement (CRADA) to develop and qualify additively manufactured complex parts and assemblies for ground combat vehicles and other military systems, leveraging Velo3D's Rapid Production Solution and Sapphire family of printers (Aluminum CP1 and Inconel 718). Met all GVSC qualification criteria in less than two weeks. Velo3D is the first qualified AM vendor approved for GVSC; parts can be inserted into the U.S. Army Tank and Automotive Command (TACOM) supply chain upon validation.
• Momentus Inc.major — co-developed mission-critical spacecraft componentStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 January 2026Co-developed an additively manufactured 3D-printed titanium pressure tank using Velo3D technology, flight-tested aboard Momentus' Vigoride-7 Orbital Service Vehicle on the SpaceX Transporter-16 mission in March 2026. Demonstrates adoption of additive manufacturing for mission-critical spacecraft components; Momentus plans to commercialize space-qualified fuel tanks.
• U.S. Department of War / Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)flagship — $32.6m project forge contractStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 December 2025$32.6M Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) under Project FORGE to develop additively manufactured components for a critical U.S. defense weapon system. Collaboration with DIU, the U.S. Navy, and a major defense prime contractor to prototype and qualify components. Includes an option to develop the largest-format Laser Powder Bed Fusion printing capability in the United States.
• iRocket (Innovative Rocket Technologies Inc.)major — irocket acquired velo3d sapphire printers and adopted rps for reusable launch vehicles and defense hardwareStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 October 2025Expanded partnership including iRocket's acquisition of Velo3D Sapphire metal 3D printers and adoption of Rapid Production Solutions to develop 100% reusable launch vehicles with under-24-hour turnaround and to support Solid Rocket Motor production. iRocket holds contracts with U.S. Space Force and Air Force Research Laboratory.
• Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)major — research partnership to advance aerospace and defense additive manufacturingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025Research partnership with Naval Air Systems Command labs in June 2025 to advance aerospace and defense additive manufacturing technologies, cited as a strategic industry development.
• Constelliummajor — strategic material supplier partnership for aheadd cp1 alloyTechnology or IntegrationCo-developed qualification of Constellium's Aheadd® CP1 aluminum-iron-zirconium powder for Velo3D Sapphire and Sapphire XC printers. Aheadd CP1 is optimized for LPBF, has FIA approval for Formula 1 (2024 season onwards), and offers a 60% reduction in print time via 100-micron layer thicknesses. Used by PWR for motorsport heat exchangers and by Andretti Performance for IMSA brackets.
• PanOptimization (PanX software)major — direct software integration with flow print preparation softwareTechnology or IntegrationDirect integration between Velo3D's Flow print-prep software and PanOptimization's PanX simulation software. Engineers can export PanX input files directly from Flow to receive thermomechanical simulation results (Multi-Grid Modeling computes temperatures, stresses, and distortions) and import optimized print instructions back into Flow. Targets first-run success on large-volume builds (600mm × 1,000mm z) and thermally challenging materials.
• Dyndrite (LPBF Pro)moderate — software integration for sapphire and sapphire xc metal 3d printersTechnology or IntegrationIntegrated Dyndrite LPBF Pro software with Sapphire and Sapphire XC metal 3D printers, providing users with a powerful build preparation toolkit.
• Mears Machine Corporationmajor — strategic production supplier for major u.s. defense oemStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic manufacturing partner; delivered first Haynes 282 additive hardware for a new propulsion system to a customer (printed on Velo3D Sapphire XC). In February 2026 Mears Machine won a 10-year defense supply contract expected to generate ~$100M in revenue over three years, manufacturing critical hardware for a major U.S. defense OEM using Velo3D's AM technology.
• Anduril Industriesmajor — defense technology partnership for drone manufacturingStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership with Anduril Industries for drone manufacturing using Velo3D metal additive manufacturing, cited as a key 2026 momentum driver.
• Addman (Los Angeles, CA)core — americas manufacturing network partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCertified Contract Manufacturer partner in Velo3D's Americas manufacturing network, producing parts on Sapphire systems using the Golden Print File to deliver identical quality across the network.
• Keselowski Advanced Manufacturing (Statesville, NC)core — americas manufacturing network partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCertified Contract Manufacturer partner in Velo3D's Americas manufacturing network, providing surge capacity.
• Knust-Godwin, LLC (Katy, TX)core — americas manufacturing network partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCertified Contract Manufacturer partner in Velo3D's Americas manufacturing network, providing surge capacity for energy and industrial customers.
• Valiant (Lakeland, FL)core — americas manufacturing network partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCertified Contract Manufacturer partner in Velo3D's Americas manufacturing network, providing surge capacity.
• ATI, Inc. (Margate, FL)core — americas manufacturing network partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCertified Contract Manufacturer partner in Velo3D's Americas manufacturing network.
• SBO (Austria)core — europe manufacturing network partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCertified Contract Manufacturer partner in Velo3D's Europe manufacturing network.
• Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation (Japan)core — asia-pacific manufacturing network partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCertified Contract Manufacturer partner in Velo3D's Asia-Pacific manufacturing network.
• PWR Advanced Cooling Technology (Australia)core — asia-pacific manufacturing network partner; also a major early customer for aheadd cp1 alloyChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCertified Contract Manufacturer partner in Velo3D's Asia-Pacific manufacturing network. Also operates Sapphire systems as a major customer in motorsport and cooling.
• Linde AMTmajor — $6m contract to develop cuni powder for u.s. navyStrategic or Co-development PartnerVelo3D secured a $6M contract with Linde AMT to develop copper-nickel alloy powder for U.S. Navy maritime manufacturing programs, supporting Navy efforts to strengthen domestic supply chain resilience.
• Intergalactic Spacemoderate — aerospace customer using rps to scale commercial aircraft programStrategic or Co-development PartnerUsed Velo3D's Rapid Production Solutions and Sapphire XC to produce IN718 microtube heat exchanger headers for a mass-produced commercial aircraft program in March 2026, demonstrating RPS capabilities for aerospace supply chains.
• America Makes / National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM)major — jaqs-sq group 1 project call winner for defense supply chain qualificationStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of six winners of America Makes and NCDMM's $1.7M JAQS-SQ Group 1 project call, funded by the Office of the Under Secretary of War, Manufacturing Technology Office. Awarded training and support to develop process controls for qualified AM production, strengthening the defense industrial base supply chain.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Nikon SLM Solutions: German metal LPBF specialist (now part of Nikon) offering the NXG and SLM systems for large-format aerospace and defense parts, directly competing with Velo3D's Sapphire XC on size and throughput.
• 3D Systems: Multi-technology 3D printing company with a significant direct metal printing portfolio (DMP) serving aerospace and defense, directly competing with Velo3D in regulated metal AM.
• EOS GmbH: Global market leader in industrial metal laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) systems (EOS M, EOS X series), directly competing with Velo3D's Sapphire family in aerospace, defense, and energy. Closest technology and application peer.
• Trumpf Additive Manufacturing: Industrial TruPrint metal LPBF systems targeting aerospace, defense, and automotive production, overlapping with Velo3D's Sapphire XC customer set and large-format value proposition.
• Renishaw plc: UK-based RenAM metal LPBF systems serving aerospace and medical customers with qualified metal AM workflows, directly comparable to Velo3D's regulated-industry positioning.

Emerging players

• Desktop Metal: Metal AM company with both binder jetting and LPBF systems targeting industrial and defense customers, partially overlapping Velo3D's production metal AM use cases.
• Markforged: Industrial metal 3D printing (Metal X) for production applications, with growing defense penetration; an emerging player intersecting with Velo3D's regulated-industry GTM.
• AddUp: Metal AM joint venture (Fives + Michelin) offering FormUp metal LPBF systems, competing in regulated industrial and aerospace production applications adjacent to Velo3D's Sapphire line.

Broad incumbents

• Stratasys: Large industrial 3D printing incumbent expanding into metal via partnerships and acquisitions; broader portfolio and customer base but a comparable enterprise metal AM trajectory.
• GE Additive: GE Aerospace's additive arm offering Concept Laser (LPBF) and Arcam EBM metal AM systems with deep aerospace and defense pull; broader portfolio than Velo3D but overlapping in regulated metal AM.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/VELO3DMetal
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@velo3d
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/velo3d
• Facebookfacebook.com/velo3d

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds12 records

Investors6 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Velo3D