What Project DIAMOnD does

Project DIAMOnD, Inc. is a Michigan corporation that operates as an initiative of Automation Alley, a nonprofit technology business association, and runs what it describes as the world's largest distributed 3D printing network. Founded in 2020 in Troy, Michigan as a COVID-19 emergency response to produce PPE, the program distributed 300 commercial-grade 3D printers (each valued at approximately $20,000) to qualifying small and medium-sized manufacturers in Oakland County under a $12M Phase 1 grant from Oakland County and Macomb County. A $15M Phase 2 expansion in May 2023 added 250 more printers and extended the program three years, with an additional $1.9M in federal funding received in December 2024.

The technology stack combines a distributed network of desktop FFF printers with a centralized Digital Transformation Center (DTC) in Auburn Hills, Michigan that houses industrial-grade polymer powder-bed fusion (SAF), large-format thermoplastic printing, and directed energy deposition (DED) metal printing. Core proprietary elements include the Smart Product Recipe (SPR) framework for repeatable cross-printer production, a Global ID traceability system, Digital Rights Management for design files, and a Quality Certification Framework. A PD Marketplace enables participants to buy and sell 3D-printed parts and design services, and Project Diamond Academy delivers a mandatory 10-module Digital Transformation Program plus customized training sessions.

The business model is primarily grant-funded (~$28.9M cumulative across grants), with grant recipients receiving free printers and training on a freemium basis. Commercial revenue streams are emerging: the DTC opened to external fee-for-service customers in February 2026, the marketplace operates on transaction/take-rate economics, and Academy services are sold to external participants. The customer base consists of more than 300 small and medium-sized manufacturers, supported by named industry partners including Markforged, Stratasys, EOS, 3YourMind, Prusa, and Hexagon. Pavan Muzumdar serves as CEO (and COO of Automation Alley), with Eric Davis as COO.

Name

Project DIAMOnD

Legal name

Project DIAMOnD, Inc.

Website

https://projectdiamond.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Project DIAMOnD operates the world's largest distributed 3D printing network, distributing free commercial-grade printers and training to qualifying small and medium-sized manufacturers in Michigan while running an industrial-grade Digital Transformation Center, secure PD Marketplace, and Project Diamond Academy under Automation Alley.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Additive Manufacturing Services

SIC

Service Industries For The Printing Trade (2790)

akta.pro primary industry

Electronics & Industrial Component 3D Printing Services (enclosures, fixtures, functional parts) (IMAAADAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Large-Format 3D Printing & Tooling Services (BAAM/LSAM, molds, patterns, jigs/fixtures) (IMAAADAE), Metal 3D Printing Service Bureaus (SLM/DMLS, EBM, Binder Jetting) (IMAAADAB)

Keywords

• Distributed 3D printing
• Additive manufacturing services
• Industrial 3D printing
• Digital manufacturing network
• Rapid prototyping services

Headquarters

HQ city

Troy

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Grant-funded Program Distribution: Project DIAMOnD operates primarily as a grant-funded initiative. Oakland County directed $15 million for Phase 2 (250 additional 3D printers), following Phase 1 funding of $10 million from Oakland County and $2 million from Macomb County. Federal American Rescue Plan Act funding also supported the program. Grant recipients receive free 3D printers and training.
2. Digital Transformation Center (DTC) Fee-for-Service: The DTC offers fee-for-service industrial additive manufacturing capabilities including polymer powder-bed fusion (SAF), large-format thermoplastic printing, and directed energy deposition (DED) metal printing to businesses outside the membership network. Services are priced competitively for manufacturers seeking production-grade capabilities without capital investment.
3. Secure Marketplace: The PD Marketplace allows participants to buy and sell 3D-printed parts and design services. Network participants with distributed printers can offer print services to those needing production capacity.
4. Training and Academy Services: Project Diamond Academy provides training programs including a 10-module Digital Transformation Program with customized individual sessions, helping direct participants' work within the DIAMOnD network.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Project DIAMOnD operates the world's largest distributed 3D printing network, distributing commercial-grade 3D printers (e.g., Markforged) at no cost to qualifying small and medium-sized manufacturers while running a centralized Digital Transformation Center (DTC) in Auburn Hills, MI for industrial-grade additive manufacturing. It complements equipment and production access with mandatory Digital Transformation Program training through Project Diamond Academy and a secure PD Marketplace where network participants buy and sell 3D-printed parts and design services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Digital Transformation Center (DTC): A facility in Auburn Hills, Michigan providing access to industrial-grade additive manufacturing equipment including polymer powder-bed fusion, large-format thermoplastic printing, and directed energy deposition metal printing. Open to both program participants and external businesses on a fee-for-service basis.
• Project Diamond Academy
• Digital Transformation Program (DTP)
• PD Marketplace

Products and services

• Digital Transformation Center (DTC) Industrial Additive Manufacturing Services Fee-for-service industrial additive manufacturing offered through a centralized facility in Auburn Hills, Michigan, providing polymer powder-bed fusion (SAF), large-format thermoplastic FFF/MEX printing, and directed energy deposition (DED) metal printing, along with post-processing, inspection, and validation. Customers submit designs through a secure digital portal, receive transparent quotes, and work directly with technical experts. Targeted at manufacturers, engineering firms, and technology companies that need production-grade 3D printing without capital equipment investment.
• PD Marketplace A secure online marketplace where Project DIAMOnD network participants can buy and sell 3D-printed parts and design services. Enables members with distributed printers to offer production capacity to those who need it, with IP licensing, Digital Rights Management, and Global ID traceability built in. Used by manufacturers and other network participants to source or supply printed parts and designs.
• Project Diamond Academy

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% cost reduction - Air & Liquid Systems replaced $100 stainless steel part with $1 carbon fiber version
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 June 2024The SCSP report, spearheaded by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, specifically calls out Project DIAMOnD as a distributed 3D printing model for the Department of Defense to follow. This represents significant federal-level recognition of Project DIAMOnD as a national model.
• MarkForgedcoreTechnology or IntegrationMarkForged is listed as a leading partner in the additive manufacturing industry for Phase II. The company provides desktop 3D printers (valued at approximately $20,000) distributed to program participants. Their Eiger software enables continuous fiber reinforcement capabilities.
• MMTC (Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMichigan Manufacturing Technology Center listed as a partner providing additive manufacturing industry expertise and training support.
• MMU (Macomb University)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerListed as an educational/training partner contributing expertise to the Project Diamond Academy.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Materialise: Industrial 3D printing service bureau with strong medical and aerospace verticals plus a Magics software platform. Comparable to DIAMOnD's industrial DTC operations (SAF, metal AM, software layer), though globally scaled and commercially funded.
• Hubs (Protolabs Network): Global distributed manufacturing platform offering CNC, 3D printing, injection molding, and sheet metal via a network of vetted suppliers. Closest peer to DIAMOnD's 'distributed network' framing and SMB-friendly self-service quoting experience.
• Xometry: Operates an on-demand manufacturing marketplace with deep 3D printing (and CNC, sheet metal, injection molding) services for SMB and enterprise buyers. Closest analog to DIAMOnD's DTC + marketplace model, though venture-funded and global rather than grant-funded and regional.
• Shapeways: Online 3D printing service bureau and marketplace serving SMBs and prosumer designers with on-demand polymer and metal AM. Comparable business model (service bureau + marketplace) and customer overlap (small manufacturers and product designers).
• Fictiv: On-demand digital manufacturing platform with strong software/workflow layer for ordering custom parts, including 3D printing. Comparable SMB-focused marketplace+service positioning with an emphasis on manufacturing software.

Broad incumbents

• Protolabs: Largest publicly traded digital manufacturer, offering industrial 3D printing alongside CNC, injection molding, and sheet metal. Overlaps with DIAMOnD's DTC fee-for-service offering but serves a much broader, enterprise-leaning customer base.
• Stratasys Direct Manufacturing: Service bureau arm of Stratasys offering industrial-grade polymer and metal AM. Also a partner of DIAMOnD — represents how a printer OEM monetizes services and a competitor for external DTC fee-for-service revenue.

Emerging players

• Replique: European distributed manufacturing platform offering on-demand 3D printing through a vetted partner network, with strong enterprise traction. Comparable 'distributed AM network' thesis, though regional to EMEA rather than US-focused.
• Markforged: Manufacturer of the desktop industrial 3D printers (~$20K) distributed through DIAMOnD. Strategic partner but also adjacent competitor — Markforged's own Digital Forge platform competes for the same SMB printed-parts spend.

Others

• Senvol: Industrial additive manufacturing data and consulting firm with the Senvol Database of industrial AM machines/materials. Adjacent ecosystem participant — comparable customers (AM-using manufacturers) and similar policy/defense connections.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/ProjDIAMOnD
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/project-diamond
• Instagraminstagram.com/projdiamond

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Project DIAMOnD