What xolo does

xolo GmbH is a Berlin-based deep-tech company founded in February 2019 that has developed Xolography, a proprietary volumetric 3D printing technology using intersecting light beams of two distinct wavelengths (375 nm and 405 nm) within a resin containing dual-color photoinitiators (DCPIs) to polymerize entire objects continuously in a single motion rather than layer by layer. The technology was invented by Professors Stefan Hecht and Martin Regehly and published in Nature in 2020, with the first patent filed the same year and 14 additional patent applications filed in 2023. The core product portfolio comprises three Xolography-based printers — Xube² (a second-generation professional system for academic and industrial research with up to 6 mm/min print speed, 5 µm resolution, 10 nm surface roughness, and 0 µm layer thickness), Xell (a compact entry-level bioprinter with sealed disposable cuvettes for plug-and-play adoption), and Custom Xube (tailored configurations for specialized applications) — alongside the xolid software suite and proprietary materials (xoloOne, xoloClear, xoloPEGDA, xoloGelMA X-Pure) plus the underlying DCPIs.

xolo generates revenue primarily through direct hardware sales of Xube², Xell, and Custom Xube systems to academic and industrial research institutions via quote-based enterprise sales engagements, supplemented by recurring consumables revenue from its proprietary materials and DCPIs required for Xolography printing. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is handled through custom quotations with multi-year contract structures; Xell is positioned as an accessible, affordable entry point for research labs. The company markets to four primary verticals: bioprinting and biotechnology research (the core focus, supported by collaborations with Castilho Lab at TU/e, Leijten Lab at University of Twente, and Duda/Petersen Lab at Charité), MedTech and medical devices, optics and photonics, and space and microgravity research (supported by a DLR-sponsored parabolic flight campaign in 2023). Total disclosed funding to date is approximately €10.5 million across a €500K pre-seed (2019), €2M seed (2021), and €8M Series A (February 2023, led by SquareOne with HZG Group, DeepTech & Climate Fonds, and Onsight Ventures).

Name

xolo

Legal name

xolo GmbH

Website

https://xolo3d.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

xolo GmbH is a Berlin-based deep-tech company that develops Xolography, a proprietary volumetric 3D printing technology using dual-wavelength light and proprietary photoinitiators to print entire objects in one continuous motion, selling Xube² and Xell printers plus specialty materials to academic and industrial research labs in bioprinting, MedTech, and optics.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Volumetric 3D Printing Equipment

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345), Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing (339112), Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing (3391)

SIC

Printing Trades Machinery & Equipment (3555), Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)

akta.pro primary industry

3D Printers (Additive Manufacturing) (HDACAEAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Medical & Dental Prototyping (Models, Guides, Pre-Op Planning) (IMAAAFAI), Medical & Dental 3D Printing Services (patient-specific devices, dental labs) (IMAAADAG)

Keywords

• Volumetric 3D printing
• Xolography technology
• Bioprinting printers
• Optical-grade 3D printing
• MedTech additive manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 3D Printer Hardware Sales: Sale of Xolography-based 3D printers including Xube² (professional grade), Xell (bioprinting entry point), and Custom Xube (tailored configurations). Revenue from direct equipment sales to academic and industrial research institutions.
2. Proprietary Printing Materials: Recurring revenue from specialized materials including xoloOne, xoloClear, xoloPEGDA, xoloGelMA resins, and Dual-Color Photoinitiators (DCPIs) required for Xolography printing.
3. Custom Solution Development: Custom Xube configurations tailored to specific applications, printing setups, and research topics represent a higher-value, consultative revenue stream.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Xolo develops and sells Xolography-based volumetric 3D printing systems, including the Xube² professional printer, the Xell compact bioprinter, and Custom Xube tailored configurations, along with proprietary resins (xoloOne, xoloClear, xoloPEGDA, xoloGelMA) and dual-color photoinitiators (DCPIs). The technology enables academic and industrial research institutions to fabricate complete objects in a single continuous volumetric motion rather than layer-by-layer, supporting bioprinting, MedTech, optics, and space manufacturing applications.

Product overview

xolo is a Germany-based 3D printing technology company offering a platform-plus-products portfolio centered on its proprietary Xolography volumetric 3D printing technology. The core Xolography platform uses intersecting dual-wavelength light beams within a dual-color photoinitiator resin to polymerize objects continuously, without layer-by-layer construction. The product lineup comprises three Xolography-based printers: Xube² (high-end professional system for industrial and academic research with up to 5 µm resolution and up to 6 mm/min speed), Xell (compact entry-level bioprinter at accessible price point), and Custom Xube (tailored configurations for specialized research). xolo also offers a proprietary software suite called xolid for the Xube². The materials portfolio includes four specialty resins — xoloOne (general high-durability), xoloClear (optical-grade transparency), xoloPEGDA (biocompatible), and xoloGelMA X-Pure (tissue scaffold) — plus Dual-Color Photoinitiators (DCPIs) that enable the core photopolymerization chemistry. Applications span bioprinting, MedTech, optics, dental, and space manufacturing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Xolography: Core volumetric 3D printing technology using two wavelengths of light to craft high-resolution structures
• Xell
• Xube²
• xoloOne
• xoloClear
• xoloPEGDA
• xoloGelMA
• Custom Xube
• xolid

Products and services

• Xolography Xolography is xolo's proprietary volumetric 3D printing technology that uses two distinct wavelengths of light intersecting within a dual-color photoinitiator resin to induce precise polymerization, creating entire objects continuously in one motion without layer-by-layer building. It is the platform technology underpinning all xolo printers and materials.
• Xube² Xube² is xolo's second-generation high-performance volumetric 3D printer designed for academic and industrial research, offering up to 6 mm/min print speed, down to 5 µm resolution, adjustable 4K LED projector with 3-channel control, modular cuvette system, environmental temperature controls (15-40°C), build volume up to 80 mm, and operated via the xolid software suite with full voxel-level control. CE certified (Laser Class 1).
• Xell Xell is a compact, plug-and-play volumetric bioprinter offering accessible entry-point Xolography bioprinting with Full HD resolution, 385/405 nm LED light sheet, build room 10x17x10 mm³, sealed cuvette printing for sterile bioprinting, and compatibility with xolo's bio-inks. CE certified. Designed for affordable adoption by research labs.
• Custom Xube Custom Xube is a tailored version of the Xube printer designed to accommodate specific applications, printing setups, and research topics, offering customizable internal space for adding own sensors and devices. Fully customized configurations are developed collaboratively with customers to shape volumetric printing solutions for their specialized use cases.
• xoloOne xoloOne is a high-performance, durable volumetric 3D printing resin optimized for resilience, ease of printing, and high precision, suitable for bioprinting, optics, and MedTech applications including robust prototyping.
• xoloClear xoloClear is xolo's true optical 3D printing material offering unparalleled clarity and precision for transparent printing in lenses, waveguides, and other optical components.
• xoloPEGDA xoloPEGDA is a versatile, biocompatible volumetric 3D printing material optimized for precision and performance in creating complex biomedical structures.
• xoloGelMA X-Pure xoloGelMA X-Pure is a biocompatible material based on Rousselot's X-Pure GelMA, designed for 3D printing intricate tissue scaffolds and biomedical devices, supporting cell adhesion and growth for regenerative medicine.
• Dual-Color Photoinitiators (DCPIs) DCPIs are innovative dual-wavelength photoinitiator compounds that transform high-viscosity materials into Xolography-compatible formulations, ensuring polymerization only at the intersection of light beams with different wavelengths. Multiple variants available (375 nm and 405 nm versions) for different resin types including nonpolar, polar, and hydrogels.

Quantifiable outcome

• Print speed up to 6 mm/min, maximum 5-minute print time
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• DLR (German Aerospace Center)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDLR sponsored and supported Xolography parabolic flight campaign in 2023 (Bordeaux, France) demonstrating microgravity printing capabilities. Results published in Advanced Materials 2024. DLR Zero G Campaign partner for space manufacturing research.
• Castilho Lab (TU/e - Eindhoven University of Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Miguel Dias Castilho, Assistant Professor of Biomaterials design and processing. Combines Xolography and computational design for regenerative medicine, particularly musculoskeletal tissues. Research published in Advanced Materials 2024.
• Leijten Lab (University of Twente)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Jeroen Leijten, Associate Professor of Complex Tissue Engineering. Research focuses on functional properties of tissues (cartilage, bone, muscle, lung, pancreas) for regenerative engineering. Bioxolography paper published in Advanced Materials 2025.
• Duda/Petersen Lab (Charité)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeorg Duda's lab at Charité focuses on tissue regeneration research, working with cutting-edge technology including Xolography for developing solutions that restore tissue and its function following injury or illness.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Nanoscribe: Nanoscribe is a German company specializing in two-photon polymerization (2PP) 3D printing for high-resolution micro- and nano-scale structures. It overlaps with Xolo in targeting high-resolution optics, photonics, and life sciences research applications.
• Aspect Biosystems: Aspect Biosystems is a Canadian biotechnology company developing bioprinted tissue therapeutics using a proprietary microfluidic bioprinting platform. It competes with Xolo in the tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications space.
• Readily3D: Readily3D is a Swiss spin-off from EPFL developing tomographic volumetric 3D bioprinting. It is the closest direct competitor to Xolo in volumetric bioprinting, offering competing technology for tissue engineering and organoid fabrication.

Broad incumbents

• Carbon: Carbon is a US-based digital light synthesis (DLS) 3D printing incumbent serving industrial customers in automotive, dental, MedTech, and consumer goods. It is a broad competitor with overlapping MedTech, dental, and industrial prototyping applications.
• Stratasys: Stratasys is a global 3D printing incumbent offering polymer, metal, and full-color printing solutions across aerospace, automotive, medical, and dental industries. It serves similar industrial prototyping and medical device customers as Xolo.
• Cellink (BICO): Cellink is a Sweden-based broad bioprinting incumbent offering a wide portfolio of bioprinters, bioinks, and lab automation. It serves similar academic and industrial life sciences customers and is a key competitor in the broader bioprinting market.
• Formlabs: Formlabs is a US-based SLA and SLS 3D printing incumbent with strong presence in dental, medical, and engineering markets. It overlaps with Xolo in MedTech prototyping and high-resolution printing applications.

Emerging players

• BMF (Boston Micro Fabrication): BMF is a US-based micro-precision 3D printing company using projection micro stereolithography (PµSL). It competes with Xolo in high-resolution optics, electronics, and life sciences research applications.
• Organovo: Organovo is a US-based early-stage bioprinting company developing 3D-printed human tissue for therapeutic and research applications. It overlaps with Xolo in tissue engineering research but uses extrusion-based approaches.
• UpNano: UpNano is an Austrian company developing two-photon polymerization (2PP) 3D printing systems for high-resolution applications. It overlaps with Xolo in targeting life sciences, microfluidics, and micro-optics research customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/xolo3D

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors4 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 xolo