What Rapid Fluidics Ltd does

Rapid Fluidics Ltd is a UK-based microfluidics design consultancy and rapid prototyping firm founded in 2019 by Paul Marshall and headquartered at Metro House, Marconi Way, Gateshead. The company specializes in 3D-printed microfluidic devices, using proprietary SLA and DLP additive manufacturing processes to produce fully-enclosed channels with three-dimensional paths at resolutions down to 100μm rectangular and 200μm circular — geometries that traditional moulding or laminate fabrication cannot achieve without bonding steps. Standard offerings include the RF-001 to RF-004 series microfluidic chips (chambers, mixers, Tesla valves) in standard and biocompatible resins, the Modular Microfluidic System (MMS) with interchangeable clamps and test bed, a connector range (Luer Lock, Barb, 1/4"-28), multi-way manifolds (2-to-1, 4-to-1, 8-to-1), and accessories such as silicone ferrules. Materials include Pro3dure GR10 and Liqcreate BioMed Clear biocompatible photopolymers.

The business operates a hybrid revenue model combining a self-serve e-commerce webshop for standard products (prices £18-£375, dispatched within 1-5 working days) with quote-based custom prototyping and design consultancy services for complex fluidic applications, including small batch production from 1 to 2,000+ parts. Customer segments span technology industries, medical devices and life sciences, space technology, pharmaceuticals/biotech, and academia, served through direct sales, webshop, US business development, and a network of technology, manufacturing, and industry-association partners (Asiga, Flow Circuits, Eden Tech, Labman Automation, Intrepid Automation, SpaceBorn United, Bionow, Medilink, IBioIC).

The company is privately held, bootstrapped with grants and angel investor funding, revenue-generating from inception, ISO 9001:2015 certified, and has recently expanded its team and relocated to a larger facility to support growth in the UK and U.S. markets. Strategic milestones include the SpaceBorn United ARTIS disc launch on SpaceX Bandwagon-3 in April 2025 and the formation of new strategic partnerships with Intrepid Automation and Blacksheep Sciences in early 2026.

Name

Rapid Fluidics Ltd

Legal name

Rapid Fluidics Ltd

Website

https://rapidfluidics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Rapid Fluidics Ltd is a UK-based microfluidics design and rapid prototyping consultancy that uses proprietary 3D printing to deliver custom and standardized microfluidic chips, modular systems, and connectors to technology, life sciences, medical device, space, pharmaceutical, and academic customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Microfluidic Prototyping and Manufacturing Services

NAICS

Measuring, Dispensing, and Other Pumping Equipment Manufacturing (333914), Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing (3339)

akta.pro primary industry

Precision Micro-3D Printing Services (micro-SLA, micro-metal, microfluidics) (IMAAADAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Liquid Handling & Laboratory Automation (Pipettes, Robots, Workstations) (HLAGAIAD)

Keywords

• Microfluidic prototyping
• Microfluidic design services
• 3D printed microfluidics
• Lab-on-a-chip devices
• Microfluidic manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Newcastle Upon Tyne

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Prototyping and Manufacturing Services: Design consultancy and rapid manufacturing of custom microfluidic devices. Customers provide CAD files or requirements; Rapid Fluidics produces prototypes in days. Revenue from one-time project fees based on complexity, volume, and material requirements.
2. Standard Product Sales (Webshop): Online sales of standard microfluidic components including chips, connectors, clamps, manifolds. Fixed pricing for standard items. Revenue from product sales with quick dispatch (1-5 working days).
3. Design Consultancy Services: Expert design services for microfluidic chip design, 3D modeling from sketch or requirements, design for additive manufacturing. Revenue from consulting fees.
4. Small Batch Production: Production of small batches (up to 2000+ parts) bridging prototyping and high-volume manufacture. For customers needing hundreds of chips for testing without injection molding investment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Rapid Fluidics is a microfluidics design consultancy that delivers rapid 3D-printed microfluidic prototypes and small-batch production runs to customers across life sciences, medical devices, space technology, and pharmaceutical sectors. The company combines a proprietary SLA/DLP 3D printing process for fully-enclosed channels with design expertise to compress traditional microfluidics lead times from weeks to days, while also offering a webshop of standard microfluidic chips, connectors, manifolds, and a Modular Microfluidic System (MMS).

Product overview

Rapid Fluidics is a microfluidics consultancy offering both custom design/prototyping services and a standardized product line. The core offering consists of 3D-printed microfluidic chips (RF-001-A through RF-004-A series including chambers, mixers, and valves, available in standard and biocompatible versions), the Modular Microfluidic System (MMS) with interchangeable clamps and test bed, various connector types (Luer Lock, Barb, 1/4" 28 threaded), multi-way manifolds (2-to-1, 4-to-1, 8-to-1), and accessories like silicone ferrules and no-slip chips. The MMS system provides a modular platform approach where users can configure test beds with single, triple, or gantry clamps for different experimental needs. All standard parts are available with short lead times (typically shipped within 5 working days or 1 working day for webshop items).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Standard Microfluidic Chips (RF-001-A to RF-004-A series) Slide-sized 3D-printed microfluidic chips including narrow chambers, circular and curvy mixers, and Tesla valves, available in standard and biocompatible resin versions for life-science, research, and prototyping applications.
• Microfluidic Connectors Pack-of-10 3D-printed microfluidic connectors in Luer Lock, Barb, and 1/4"-28 threaded variants, designed for secure finger-tightened connections between syringes, tubing, and chip ports.
• Modular Microfluidic System (MMS) Universally adjustable modular microfluidic clamping system consisting of a test bed (205mm x 148mm x 4mm) and interchangeable single, triple, and 7-port gantry clamps with sealing ferrules, supporting flexible experimental setups for 1/16" OD tubing.
• Multi-Way Manifolds (2-to-1, 4-to-1, 8-to-1) 3D-printed multi-way manifolds in 2-to-1, 4-to-1, and 8-to-1 configurations with 1mm circular channels, M6 fittings, and 9mm-pitch outlets compatible with 96-well plates, available in standard and biocompatible resin.
• Silicone Ferrules and No-slip Chip Accessories Silicone ferrules (ShA 27 and ShA 40 hardness) for 1/16" tubing compatible with MMS clamps and Luer-to-ferrule connectors, plus silicone anti-slip chip mats providing a stable white background for slide-sized microfluidic chips.
• Custom Microfluidic Design and Prototyping Service Design consultancy and rapid 3D-printed prototyping of custom microfluidic devices from customer CAD files or design briefs, delivering testable prototype parts in days across complex channel geometries, biocompatible materials, and embedded electronics configurations.
• Small-Batch Microfluidic Production Small-batch additive manufacturing of microfluidic parts (1 to 2000+ parts, with capacity being prepared for up to 10,000 parts) bridging prototyping and high-volume injection-mould production, avoiding tooling investment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Design-to-prototype delivery in days (not weeks)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, significant and minor.

• Intrepid AutomationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Strategic partnership to advance development and U.S.-based manufacturing of microfluidic technologies. Combines Rapid Fluidics' design and prototyping expertise with Intrepid's scalable, production-grade additive manufacturing capabilities. Enables more cost-effective development and production of high-precision microfluidic components for the US market.
• Blacksheep SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 January 2026Strategic collaboration (MoU signed) to strengthen 3D-printed microfluidic components and life science tool development. Unites Rapid Fluidics' engineering and additive manufacturing expertise with Blacksheep Sciences' product development and commercialization capabilities.
• Flow CircuitscoreTechnology or Integration · 5 February 2024Partnership combining Flow Circuits' simulation software with Rapid Fluidics' prototyping for rapid fluidic system development. Enables researchers to design in Flow Circuits software and transfer directly to Rapid Fluidics for 3D printing. Supports Pharmaceutical & Life Sciences Research, Point of Care Testing, Clinical Diagnostics, and Environment and Industrial Analytics markets.
• Labman AutomationsignificantStrategic or Co-development PartnerProof-of-concept collaboration combining Labman's 64-channel potentiostat with Rapid Fluidics' 3D-printed 96-well microfluidic plate with integrated electrodes for high-throughput electrochemical analysis.
• Eden Tech / Eden MaterialssignificantTechnology or IntegrationPartnership through Eden Materials division providing integrated microfluidic workflow solutions. Integration with FLUI'DEVICE no-code design platform and FLUI'MOLD 3D mold printing service.
• AsigasignificantTechnology or IntegrationAsiga is a 3D printer manufacturer specializing in digital manufacturing solutions for microfluidics. Rapid Fluidics uses Asiga printers selected based on geometric and material requirements.
• SpaceBorn UnitedsignificantStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpace technology collaboration for IVF in altered gravity research. Rapid Fluidics manufactured microfluidic disc/device plus related test strips and chamber designs for embryo handling. SpaceBorn United successfully launched ARTIS disc into orbit on SpaceX Bandwagon-3 mission in April 2025.
• MassBalancesignificantStrategic or Co-development PartnerMicrofluidic biological experimentation system development for space. Project included consultancy on system specification, mechanical design, microfluidic architecture, electronics integration, and control software.
• EpigemminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK-based microengineering company specializing in bespoke microfluidic chips, fine-line microcircuitry, and hybrid devices for life sciences, diagnostics, and electronics sectors.
• BionowminorOthersMembership organization supplying support and services to life-sciences industry for the North of England. Awards sponsor and industry association partner.
• Medilink North of EnglandminorOthersNot-for-profit membership association for Life Sciences sector connecting NHS, industry and academia. Accredited partner for Department of International Trade.
• RTC North LtdminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBusiness consulting organization driving economic growth and innovation across North of England for over 35 years.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Fluigent: Fluigent develops microfluidic flow control instruments, chips, and complete fluidic handling systems for life sciences research — comparable as a microfluidic instrumentation and component peer serving similar academic and biotech customers.
• uFluidix: uFluidix is a Canadian microfluidic design and rapid prototyping service bureau providing custom microfluidic devices, much like Rapid Fluidics' design consultancy and rapid-manufacturing model for research and commercial customers.
• Microfluidic ChipShop: Microfluidic ChipShop is a leading European manufacturer of standard and custom microfluidic chips and lab-on-a-chip systems — directly comparable to Rapid Fluidics' custom chip design and small-batch production offering.
• Elvesys: Elvesys (Elveflow) provides high-precision microfluidic flow control systems and components to research and industrial customers — comparable in serving microfluidics end-users with engineered systems, though focused on instrumentation rather than 3D-printed chips.
• thinXXS Microtechnology: thinXXS is a German manufacturer of plastic microfluidic chips and OEM components for diagnostics and life sciences — a direct comparable in custom microfluidic device manufacturing with similar medical-device customer focus.
• ALine Inc: ALine designs and manufactures custom microfluidic devices and lab-on-a-chip solutions, especially for diagnostics and life sciences — comparable as a design-and-manufacture microfluidic specialist with similar customer profiles.
• Dolomite Microfluidics (Blacktrace): Dolomite Microfluidics designs and manufactures microfluidic chips, components, and systems for life sciences and diagnostics — the most direct functional peer to Rapid Fluidics in microfluidic device design and rapid manufacturing.
• Micronit Microtechnologies: Micronit designs and manufactures glass and polymer microfluidic chips and devices for life sciences, medical, and analytical applications — a direct comparable in custom microfluidic chip fabrication and OEM microfluidic components.

Broad incumbents

• 3D Systems: 3D Systems is a large incumbent in additive manufacturing with broad services including precision plastics and bioprinting — a broad incumbent whose on-demand manufacturing and microfluidics-adjacent capabilities could overlap with Rapid Fluidics' niche.
• Carbon (Carbon Inc.): Carbon is a large digital manufacturing platform producing high-resolution polymer parts for healthcare, industrial, and consumer applications — a broad incumbent whose high-resolution resin printing capabilities intersect with Rapid Fluidics' precision microfluidics use cases.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@rapidfluidics
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rapid-fluidics-ltd
• Instagraminstagram.com/rapidfluidics

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Rapid Fluidics Ltd