Tethon 3D
Tethon 3D is a privately-held ceramic 3D printing company that designs DLP/LCD printers and proprietary UV-curable ceramic resins (alumina, zirconia, dielectric, hydroxyapatite) for defense, aerospace, medical, dental, and industrial research customers. It operates a direct e-commerce and distributor-based razor-and-blade business model from Omaha, Nebraska.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersOmaha, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Tethon 3D does
Tethon 3D is a ceramic 3D printing technology company founded in 2011 and headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. The company develops DLP (Digital Light Processing) and LCD ceramic 3D printers paired with a proprietary portfolio of UV-curable ceramic resin formulations spanning technical ceramics including alumina, zirconia, lithium disilicate, cordierite, hydroxyapatite, glass-ceramic, and dielectric materials. Its hardware lineup ranges from entry-level units like the Coyote LCD printer ($3,495) to professional-grade DLP printers including the Bison 1000 ($22,950), Bison Bio for bioprinting ($22,495), Gazelle mid-range unit, and Mammoth large-format system, with the Bison 2000 announced as upcoming. Through acquisitions of Technology Assessment and Transfer (2025) and Fortify's advanced dielectric materials IP (2026), the company has expanded its materials IP portfolio into defense, aerospace, and telecommunications-grade RF, microwave, and mmWave applications.
The company operates a razor-and-blade business model, generating one-time capital revenue from printer hardware sales ($3,495-$22,950 per unit) and recurring revenue from consumable ceramic resins priced from $450 (Dielectric Resin 500ml) to $5,000 (Osteolite Hydroxyapatite 1L), plus accessories such as vat films, build plates, and print wash. Distribution occurs via direct e-commerce at tethon3d.com and an international distributor network. The company pursues vertical segmentation, targeting defense and aerospace (RF components, radomes, antennas), healthcare and medical (lithium disilicate dental restorations, hydroxyapatite bone graft materials), and industrial/research customers requiring advanced technical ceramics with complex geometries beyond conventional manufacturing.
Tethon 3D is a privately-held, small-scale operation with 1-10 employees, leadership comprising CEO Trent Allen and Founder James Linder, and total disclosed funding of approximately $1.25 million, including a $1M round led by Invest Nebraska in 2023 and a subsequent $250K round in 2025. The company serves a niche but expanding role in the rapidly prototyping market, projected to grow at a 29.7% CAGR, with no disclosed major customer concentration and reliance on a distributed base of SMB and individual buyers.
Tethon 3D firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Tethon 3D
- Legal name
- Tethon 3D
- Website
- https://Tethon3D.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Tethon 3D is a privately-held ceramic 3D printing company that designs DLP/LCD printers and proprietary UV-curable ceramic resins (alumina, zirconia, dielectric, hydroxyapatite) for defense, aerospace, medical, dental, and industrial research customers. It operates a direct e-commerce and distributor-based razor-and-blade business model from Omaha, Nebraska.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Tethon 3D industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial 3D Printing Equipment
- NAICS
- Pottery, Ceramics, and Plumbing Fixture Manufacturing (32711), Clay Building Material and Refractories Manufacturing (327120)
- SIC
- Pottery & Related Products (3260)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Ceramic & Glass 3D Printers (IMAAAAAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Resin Handling & Vat/Recoater Components (Vats, Films, Blades, Pumps) (IMAAAIAD), Medical & Dental Prototyping (Models, Guides, Pre-Op Planning) (IMAAAFAI), Ceramic & Glass 3D Printing Services (IMAAADAC)
Keywords
Where Tethon 3D is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Omaha
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Tethon 3D business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales: Sale of DLP 3D printing equipment including Bison, Gazelle, Mammoth, and Coyote printer lines. Printers are sold as one-time capital purchases with prices ranging from $3,495 to $22,950.
- Ceramic Resin Consumables: Recurring revenue from specialized ceramic resin materials including alumina, zirconia, lithium disilicate, dielectric, cordierite, hydroxyapatite, and other formulations. Consumables priced from $450 to $5,000 per unit.
- Accessories and Spare Parts: Sale of accessories including vat films, build plates, resin vats, print wash, and other consumables/accessories for the printer systems.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | DLP Printers - One-time purchase |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Ceramic Resin Materials - Unit pricing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Development Resins and Accessories |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels3 records
Tethon 3D product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Tethon 3D manufactures and sells DLP and LCD ceramic 3D printers (Bison 1000, Bison Bio, Coyote, Gazelle, Mammoth) paired with a proprietary portfolio of ceramic and glass-ceramic UV resins including alumina, zirconia, lithium disilicate, dielectric, cordierite, hydroxyapatite, and porcelain formulations. The integrated hardware-plus-materials ecosystem targets technical ceramics prototyping and production for defense, aerospace, telecommunications, dental, medical, and industrial research customers.
Product overview
Tethon 3D is a ceramic 3D printing technology company offering an integrated ecosystem of DLP/LCD hardware platforms paired with a comprehensive portfolio of specialty ceramic and glass-ceramic resins. The core product line includes five DLP/LCD ceramic printers spanning from entry-level (Coyote at $3,495) to professional-grade (Bison 1000 at $22,950, Bison Bio at $22,495) to large-format (Mammoth) units, with the Bison 2000 upcoming. Supporting the hardware is an extensive range of technical ceramic resins including alumina (A100, 97%, and 99.5% variants), zirconia (5Y), lithium disilicate for dental applications, dielectric formulations for RF/microwave applications, and specialty materials like cordierite, porcelain, and hydroxyapatite for medical implants. The portfolio is enhanced by proprietary development resins (Genesis series) and acquired advanced materials IP from Fortify targeting defense and telecommunications sectors. The company serves aerospace, defense, dental, medical, and industrial manufacturing markets.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Bison 1000 DLP Printer
Quantifiable outcome
- Faster prototyping iteration compared to conventional manufacturing
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Tethon 3D
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Tethon 3D technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Tethon 3D partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- FortifycoreTethon 3D acquired Fortify's advanced materials intellectual property including dielectric materials for RF, microwave, and mmWave applications. The companies had an existing partnership since 2021. This acquisition strengthens Tethon 3D's position in high-performance ceramic components for radar systems, satellite communications, and defense technologies.
- Technology Assessment and TransfercoreTethon 3D acquired Technology Assessment and Transfer to enhance its ceramic manufacturing capabilities, expanding the company's manufacturing expertise and capacity for advanced ceramic components.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Tethon 3D competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Lithoz: Austrian manufacturer specializing in ceramic 3D printing systems using lithography-based (similar to DLP) technology. Lithoz sells ceramic 3D printers and proprietary ceramic materials (alumina, zirconia, silicon nitride) for dental, medical, and industrial applications, making it the closest direct competitor to Tethon 3D.
- 3DCeram: French company specializing in ceramic additive manufacturing using stereolithography (SLA/DLP) technology, offering printers and proprietary ceramic pastes and resins. Directly comparable to Tethon 3D in technology approach (light-cured ceramic) and target markets including aerospace, biomedical, and luxury goods.
- Admatec: Netherlands-based manufacturer of DLP-based ceramic and metal 3D printers (ADMAFLEX series) for industrial, medical, and research applications. Direct competitor in ceramic DLP hardware and materials with similar target customers and price points to Tethon 3D.
Broad incumbents
- 3D Systems: One of the largest publicly-traded 3D printing companies, with broad polymer and metal AM offerings plus ceramic 3D printing capabilities. Overlaps with Tethon 3D in industrial prototyping and dental/medical applications but at vastly larger scale and a much broader product portfolio.
- Stratasys: Major publicly-traded 3D printing incumbent with broad polymer and composite AM offerings. While not a direct ceramic specialist, Stratasys has explored ceramic-filled materials and competes in dental, aerospace, and industrial prototyping markets where Tethon 3D also operates.
- Desktop Metal: Publicly-traded metal and composite AM company with a broad portfolio of 3D printing systems for industrial applications. While primarily metal-focused, Desktop Metal competes in adjacent industrial/prototyping use cases and represents potential competition for ceramic AM as the technology converges.
- Markforged: Publicly-traded 3D printing company specializing in carbon fiber and metal AM systems for industrial and defense applications. Overlaps with Tethon 3D in defense and aerospace end markets and offers alternative material solutions for lightweight, high-performance parts.
- voxeljet: Publicly-traded industrial 3D printing company offering binder jetting and SLA systems for sand casting, polymer, and ceramic applications. Overlaps with Tethon 3D in industrial prototyping and ceramic AM for foundries, though voxeljet's core technology differs.
Emerging players
- Formlabs: Privately-held desktop SLA 3D printing company with strong penetration in dental and medical markets via products like Form 3B. While primarily polymer-focused, Formlabs competes in dental laboratories and medical device prototyping—key Tethon 3D customer segments—and could expand into ceramic materials.
- SprintRay: Dental-focused 3D printing company offering printers and resins for dental offices and labs. While primarily polymer resin-based (not ceramic), SprintRay directly competes in Tethon 3D's lithium disilicate and zirconia dental restoration target market via chairside crown and bridge printing workflows.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Tethon 3D social profiles
Digital presenceTethon 3D financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Tethon 3D leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Tethon 3D funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Tethon 3D M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Tethon 3D
What does Tethon 3D do?
Tethon 3D manufactures and sells DLP and LCD ceramic 3D printers (Bison 1000, Bison Bio, Coyote, Gazelle, Mammoth) paired with a proprietary portfolio of ceramic and glass-ceramic UV resins including alumina, zirconia, lithium disilicate, dielectric, cordierite, hydroxyapatite, and porcelain formulations. The integrated hardware-plus-materials ecosystem targets technical ceramics prototyping and production for defense, aerospace, telecommunications, dental, medical, and industrial research customers.
Is Tethon 3D a public or private company?
Tethon 3D is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Tethon 3D founded?
Tethon 3D was founded in 2019. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Tethon 3D based?
Tethon 3D is headquartered in Omaha, United States, in the North America region.
How does Tethon 3D make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are ceramic Resin Consumables and accessories and Spare Parts.
Who are Tethon 3D's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Lithoz, 3DCeram and Admatec. Broad incumbents are 3D Systems, Stratasys, Desktop Metal, Markforged and voxeljet. Emerging players are Formlabs and SprintRay.
Does Tethon 3D have an API?
No public API is recorded for Tethon 3D.
What industry is Tethon 3D in?
Tethon 3D's product category is Industrial 3D Printing Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAAAAAC, Ceramic & Glass 3D Printers, with a secondary code of IMAAAIAD, Resin Handling & Vat/Recoater Components (Vats, Films, Blades, Pumps). Its NAICS code is 32711 and its SIC code is 3260.