STILFOLD
STILFOLD is a Stockholm-based manufacturing technology company that licenses software-defined curved-folding (industrial origami) and robotic production cells to industrial OEMs, enabling lighter, stronger, lower-carbon sheet-metal parts without hard tooling.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersStockholm, Sweden
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What STILFOLD does
STILFOLD AB is a Stockholm-based manufacturing and design technology company founded in 2020 by Tue Beijer and Jonas Nyvang. The company develops software-defined industrial origami, a computational design and robotic fabrication platform that transforms flat sheet materials into high-performance 3D structures through curved folding techniques, thereby eliminating hard tooling, consolidating parts, and reducing weight and material waste.
The platform comprises two core products. STILWARE is computational design software with native Rhino/Grasshopper integration that converts 3D geometry into formable curved-fold patterns and outputs CAM-ready instructions. STILWORKS is a family of modular robotic production cells that execute those instructions with intelligent path planning, force compensation, and closed-loop quality control. The technology is protected by granted patents in the EU, US, and Asia and has been validated over 10+ years of R&D with KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Linköping University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Toyota Central R&D Labs, and RISE Research Institutes of Sweden. A proof-of-concept STILRIDE 1 electric motorcycle demonstrates the approach, while Car Canvas (2025) targets broader automotive manufacturing.
STILFOLD monetizes through a tiered enterprise engagement model. Customers enter via feasibility assessment and Pilot & Validation services, then progress to Developer, Pilot, or Platform licensing arrangements with defined field, territory, exclusivity, milestones, and fees, alongside deployment of STILWORKS cells. Target buyers are industrial OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers in mobility and automotive, aerospace and defense, rail and mass transit, energy and construction, and commercial transport, with named partners including Volvo Cars, Scania, Alstom, Honda, Volkswagen, Nissan, Magna, Polestar, Saab, ABB, Iveco, and Fortaco. The company is backed by Vinnova, EIT Manufacturing, and earlier venture and crowdfunding rounds, with €3.7M raised in 2022 and a €427K EIT grant in 2024.
STILFOLD firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- STILFOLD
- Legal name
- STILFOLD AB
- Website
- https://stilfold.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- STILFOLD is a Stockholm-based manufacturing technology company that licenses software-defined curved-folding (industrial origami) and robotic production cells to industrial OEMs, enabling lighter, stronger, lower-carbon sheet-metal parts without hard tooling.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
STILFOLD industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Manufacturing Technology
- NAICS
- Industrial Design Services (54142), Forging and Stamping (3321)
- akta.pro primary industry
- 3D Design & CAD for Additive Manufacturing (IMAAACAA)
Keywords
Where STILFOLD is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Stockholm
- HQ country
- Sweden
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
STILFOLD business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Technology Licensing: STILFOLD licenses its technology platform (STILWARE and STILWORKS) to industrial partners through Developer, Pilot, and Platform partnership models. Licensing includes field, territory, exclusivity, milestones, fees, and technical access. Revenue generated through licensing fees and ongoing technical access.
- Professional Services: STILFOLD provides structured engagement services including feasibility review, prototype production, structural testing, and engineering interface. These consulting and engineering services support customers through the validation pathway before committing to scale.
- Manufacturing Systems: Sale or deployment of STILWORKS modular robotic production cells to manufacturers. Revenue from hardware deployment, system integration, and ongoing technical enablement.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
STILFOLD product offering
Product offeringCore offering
STILFOLD develops software-defined industrial origami technology that transforms flat sheet materials into high-performance 3D structures via computational design (STILWARE) and robotic fabrication (STILWORKS). The company licenses this platform to industrial OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers and delivers it through Developer, Pilot, and Platform partnership tiers. It also provides structured Pilot & Validation services (feasibility review, prototyping, structural testing, engineering interface) and sells/deploys STILWORKS modular robotic production cells for industrial-scale curved folding.
Product overview
STILFOLD is a manufacturing and design technology platform offering software-defined folding for sheet metal. The core portfolio includes STILWARE (computational design software with Rhino/Grasshopper integration), STILWORKS (modular robotic production cells), Pilot & Validation services, and Licensing & Partnership programs. The STILRIDE 1 electric motorcycle serves as a proof-of-concept demonstration. MetaFold Academy provides training for green manufacturing. By shifting complexity from tooling and assembly into geometry and software, STILFOLD enables lighter, stronger, and more circular products with faster iteration cycles.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- STILWARE: Computational design software that transforms flat sheets into high-performance 3D structures through optimized curved folding, with native Rhino/Grasshopper integration.
- STILWORKS
- STILRIDE 1
- MetaFold Academy
- Car Canvas
Products and services
- STILWARE Computational design software that transforms flat sheet materials into high-performance 3D structures through optimized curved folding. Native Rhino/Grasshopper plugin with integrated simulation and validation, outputs CAM-ready geometry directly to STILWORKS production cells. Used by industrial engineers and designers at OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers in automotive, aerospace, rail, and energy sectors.
- STILWORKS Modular robotic production cells for scalable deployment of STILFOLD's curved folding technology. Fully equipped, self-contained manufacturing units that can be deployed standalone or integrated into existing production lines. Transforms STILWARE design data into CAM instructions for automated robotic folding and forming, with intelligent path planning, recipe-based execution, and closed-loop quality control.
- Pilot & Validation Structured engagement service that takes industrial partners from feasibility review to validated production pathway. Includes technical fit assessment (NDA-based screening), prototype production, structural testing, and engineering interface with defined deliverables, milestone schedules, and governance — provided before any commitment to scale.
- Licensing & Partnership Program Three-tier technology licensing program: Developer (access to STILWARE design tools, engineering support, and validated process data), Pilot (use-case validation partnership), and Platform (full technology transfer for manufacturers deploying STILWORKS production cells). Licensing terms cover field, territory, exclusivity, milestones, fees, and technical access with confidentiality protections.
- STILRIDE 1 Electric motorcycle proof of concept demonstrating STILFOLD's technology, with an entire monocoque chassis folded from a single sheet of steel. Showcases radical weight reduction, parts consolidation, and a design language born from the curved folding manufacturing process.
- MetaFold Academy Training program promoting green manufacturing in automotive, aerospace, and energy sectors. Funded by EIT Manufacturing with €427,000 and operated through four centers in Sweden, Greece, Italy, and Hungary, with a target of training 250 engineers and designers on STILFOLD's software-defined folding technology.
- Car Canvas New product launch targeting European car manufacturing, applying STILFOLD's software-defined folding technology to automotive production. Positioned to reshape European car manufacturing by enabling lighter, lower-CO2 vehicle structures without hard tooling.
Quantifiable outcome
- 40% weight reduction achievable compared to conventional manufacturing methods
- +8 more outcomes
Companies that use STILFOLD
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
STILFOLD technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
AI capability5 records
Feature6 records
STILFOLD partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- AlstomcoreAlstom and STILFOLD are deepening their collaboration to evaluate how Stilfold's curve-bending steel manufacturing technology can be applied to a wider range of train components, following a successful pilot project. The partnership will move into a broader evaluation phase with the goal of achieving weight optimisation, simplified assembly, reduced energy use, and lower embodied carbon in train structures. Both companies view the expansion as a step toward more environmentally friendly and cost-effective rail manufacturing solutions.
- NVIDIAcoreSelected for NVIDIA's Inception program for AI-driven industrial design and simulation capability, providing access to NVIDIA resources and ecosystem for AI-enhanced STILFOLD technology development.
- AirForestryminorPartnership to create lighter, stronger drone systems with AI-optimized design using STILFOLD technology.
- PaperShellminorCollaboration exploring combination of origami techniques with wood and steel materials for sustainable composite structures.
- Fortaco GroupcorePartnership for steel structures in commercial vehicles, exploring folding technology for future manufacturing of structural components.
- OutokumpuminorStrategic partnership for sustainable stainless steel materials, ensuring supply of appropriate materials for STILFOLD manufacturing processes.
- Georgia Institute of TechnologycoreAcademic partnership for STILFOLD Academy launch and ongoing research collaboration on computational geometry and origami-inspired structural design.
- Volvo CarscoreMajor automotive OEM partnership with documented case study showing 90% tooling cost reduction, 83% lead time reduction, 53% parts count reduction, and 31% weight reduction on subframe concept study. The partnership demonstrates the commercial value of STILFOLD technology for automotive applications.
- ScaniacoreCollaborative development on automotive and commercial vehicle parts using origami-inspired steel forming techniques for lightweight structures.
- Volvo GroupcorePartnership with Volvo Group (commercial vehicles) for MetaFold Academy training program targeting automotive, aerospace, and energy sectors, and collaborative development on transport applications.
- HondacoreIndustrial partner for lightweight and durable vehicle component development using STILFOLD technology.
- NissancoreIndustrial partner for automotive applications of origami-inspired manufacturing technology.
- VolkswagencoreIndustrial partner exploring STILFOLD technology for vehicle weight reduction and manufacturing efficiency.
- MagnacoreAutomotive supplier partner exploring advanced manufacturing solutions using STILFOLD technology.
- Linköping UniversitycoreJoint research on AI integration, digital twin development, and adaptive manufacturing systems.
- KTH Royal Institute of TechnologycoreCollaboration on structural performance modeling and advanced forming research.
- Toyota Central R&D LabscoreJoint development on curved crease folding and shape approximation methods, including co-authored academic output.
- RISE Research Institutes of SwedencoreApplied research collaboration on industrialization pathways and sustainable manufacturing processes.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
STILFOLD competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- nTopology: nTopology offers computational design and engineering software for advanced manufacturing, similar to STILFOLD's STILWARE. Both companies enable engineers to design complex, high-performance structures using software-driven workflows that replace traditional tooling-heavy processes. They target overlapping industrial buyers in aerospace, automotive, and medical.
Broad incumbents
- Bystronic: Bystronic is a major supplier of sheet metal processing equipment, including laser cutting and bending systems, directly serving the same automotive, construction, and industrial manufacturing buyers that STILFOLD targets. As a broad incumbent, Bystronic offers traditional forming and cutting solutions, representing the legacy approach that STILFOLD's software-defined curved folding aims to disrupt.
- TRUMPF: TRUMPF is a global leader in industrial laser technology, machine tools, and sheet metal fabrication equipment, serving automotive, aerospace, and industrial OEMs. As a broad incumbent, TRUMPF represents the established ecosystem of metal forming and fabrication that STILFOLD must displace or integrate alongside, particularly in European automotive and rail supply chains.
- Autodesk: Autodesk's Fusion 360 and generative design products serve the same industrial design and manufacturing customers as STILFOLD's STILWARE, offering CAD/CAM workflows for design-to-manufacturing. As a broad incumbent, Autodesk's generative design tools represent the dominant alternative for engineers considering computational design for advanced manufacturing, including additive and generative approaches.
- Amada: Amada is a leading Japanese manufacturer of metal forming machinery, including press brakes, laser cutters, and sheet metal fabrication systems serving automotive, aerospace, and industrial OEMs globally. As a broad incumbent, Amada represents the traditional sheet metal forming ecosystem that STILFOLD's software-defined curved folding technology must complement or replace at the customer.
- ANSYS: ANSYS provides industrial simulation software widely used in automotive, aerospace, and rail for structural analysis, and increasingly for design-space exploration and optimization. As a broad incumbent, ANSYS represents the simulation layer that STILFOLD's STILWARE computational design integrates with or competes against for engineering attention in industrial product development.
Emerging players
- Markforged: Markforged offers a digital manufacturing ecosystem combining software, industrial 3D printers, and materials, targeting automotive, aerospace, and industrial production parts. Both companies sell integrated software-and-hardware manufacturing platforms aimed at reducing tooling cost and lead time, though Markforged focuses on additive manufacturing while STILFOLD focuses on sheet metal curved folding.
- Velo3D: Velo3D provides metal additive manufacturing systems for production parts in aerospace, defense, and industrial markets, with a recurring revenue model. Like STILFOLD, Velo3D targets buyers seeking weight reduction and parts consolidation, and the two compete for similar OEM manufacturing mindshare on a software-defined production platform basis.
- Desktop Metal: Desktop Metal offers a portfolio of additive manufacturing systems and materials targeting production applications in automotive, aerospace, and industrial markets. As an emerging player, Desktop Metal shares STILFOLD's mission of reducing tooling cost and lead time for production parts, and competes for similar industrial OEM customer relationships.
- Arris Composites: Arris Composites uses a software-defined manufacturing approach to produce high-performance composite structures for automotive, aerospace, and consumer products. Like STILFOLD, Arris combines computational design with robotic fabrication to achieve parts consolidation and weight reduction, and the two compete for similar industrial OEM attention on software-defined structural manufacturing.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
STILFOLD social profiles
Digital presenceSTILFOLD financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
STILFOLD leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
STILFOLD funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds6 records
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
STILFOLD M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about STILFOLD
What does STILFOLD do?
STILFOLD develops software-defined industrial origami technology that transforms flat sheet materials into high-performance 3D structures via computational design (STILWARE) and robotic fabrication (STILWORKS). The company licenses this platform to industrial OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers and delivers it through Developer, Pilot, and Platform partnership tiers. It also provides structured Pilot & Validation services (feasibility review, prototyping, structural testing, engineering interface) and sells/deploys STILWORKS modular robotic production cells for industrial-scale curved folding.
Is STILFOLD a public or private company?
STILFOLD is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was STILFOLD founded?
STILFOLD was founded in 2020. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is STILFOLD based?
STILFOLD is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, in the Europe region.
How does STILFOLD make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Technology Licensing is the primary driver. The others are professional Services and manufacturing Systems.
Who are STILFOLD's main competitors?
nTopology is listed as a direct peer. Broad incumbents are Bystronic, TRUMPF, Autodesk, Amada and ANSYS. Emerging players are Markforged, Velo3D, Desktop Metal and Arris Composites.
Does STILFOLD have an API?
No public API is recorded for STILFOLD.
What industry is STILFOLD in?
STILFOLD's product category is Industrial Manufacturing Technology. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAAACAA, 3D Design & CAD for Additive Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 54142.