UpNano GmbH, a Vienna-based high-tech company, has successfully raised €7 million in a Series A financing round aimed at accelerating the development and market penetration of its pioneering two-photon polymerization (2PP) 3D printing technology. The funding round, completed in October 2024, was co-led by aws Gründungsfonds, NovaCapital, and IGO Innovation GmbH, with the participation of existing investor ILUM Tec. This new financial backing will enable UpNano to further cement its leadership position in the fast-evolving 2PP 3D printing sector, supporting the launch of its next-generation NanoOne printers and driving international market expansion.

Building on 2PP Technology Leadership

UpNano is renowned for its expertise in two-photon polymerization (2PP), a 3D printing technology that offers unparalleled precision, allowing the fabrication of micro- and nanoscale structures with exceptional detail. This innovative method can produce complex geometries using a variety of materials, positioning it as a transformative technology for industries such as biomedicine, electronics, photonics, and beyond.

The NanoOne series of printers, developed by UpNano, sets industry standards by combining the high resolution and precision of 2PP with unmatched speed, enabling faster production of intricate designs. The company’s breakthrough technology allows the scalable fabrication of components ranging from sub-micrometer to centimeter scale. This combination of speed and accuracy is set to revolutionize industrial applications, particularly in areas such as tissue engineering, drug delivery, and high-performance optical devices.

"We are thrilled to receive this strong vote of confidence from our investors,” said Bernhard Küenburg, CEO of UpNano. “This new investment will allow us to continue on our growth trajectory, while also accelerating our research and development to further enhance the performance of our 2PP 3D printers.”

Strategic Investors and Industry Impact

The Series A round was led by notable venture capital funds including aws Gründungsfonds, an Austrian investment fund backed by the government, NovaCapital, an Italian investment holding specializing in technology-driven industries, and IGO Innovation, the startup investment arm of IGO Industries. Together, these investors bring extensive expertise and industry connections, providing UpNano with not only financial support but also valuable strategic guidance as it scales globally.

“With our investment in UpNano, we are supporting one of Austria’s most innovative companies,” said Markus Jandrinitsch, Managing Director of aws Gründungsfonds. “Their ability to bring cutting-edge technology from research to market maturity is impressive, and we are confident that this funding will further solidify their leadership in the 2PP 3D printing space.”

Carlo Germano Ravina, Managing Director of NovaCapital, emphasized the transformative potential of UpNano’s technology in industrial production. "We see UpNano as a pivotal player in making 2PP 3D printing more accessible for series production. Their innovation has the potential to reshape multiple industries.”

Iris Ortner, CEO of IGO Innovation, highlighted UpNano’s early achievements in gaining technological leadership and noted the importance of continued investment as the technology begins to be integrated into industrial processes. “UpNano’s technology is at a crucial inflection point. With this funding, they are well-positioned to drive further innovation and adoption across key industries.”

The Path Forward: Expanding Markets and Technology

UpNano's immediate plans include accelerating the market entry of its next-generation NanoOne printers and expanding its global footprint. With this fresh infusion of capital, the company aims to deepen its market penetration, focusing on regions with high demand for 2PP 3D printing capabilities.

UpNano's printers offer an attractive solution for industries facing growing demands for higher precision and faster production times, all while maintaining flexibility across different material types. The company is also working on expanding the applications of its technology to new fields, such as bioprinting, which enables the fabrication of biological structures in a native cell environment. This unique capability opens up possibilities for creating tissue models and scaffolds for medical research and drug testing.

UpNano will also continue to innovate its proprietary materials, providing customers with tailored solutions that enhance the performance of its 3D printers. These developments align with the company's vision to provide a holistic package of hardware, software, and materials to its growing customer base.

The company is showcasing its full range of products and services at major industry events, including µTAS in Montreal, Canada, in October 2024, and formnext in Frankfurt, Germany, in November 2024. At formnext, UpNano is set to unveil its latest innovation in 2PP 3D printing, which promises to set new standards for speed, precision, and material versatility.

With €7 million in fresh funding and a team of experienced investors supporting its mission, UpNano is poised to expand its technological footprint in the high-performance 3D printing market. The company’s next-generation NanoOne series promises to revolutionize industries by offering unparalleled precision and speed in microfabrication. As industries increasingly integrate 2PP 3D printing into their processes, UpNano is positioned to lead the charge in transforming manufacturing, biomedicine, and electronics with its groundbreaking technology.