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Created page with "{{Short description|New York-based 3D printing marketplace and service}} {{Infobox company | name = Shapeways Holdings, Inc. | logo = Shapeways.png | image = 3d printed miniature warrior for tabletop gaming on a white background.jpg | image_size = 250px | type = Private | industry = {{ubl|3D Printing| e-Commerce}} | founders = {{ubl|Robert Schouwenburg| Marleen Vogelaar|Peter Weijmarshausen}} | key_people = Marleen Vogelaar (CEO) | area_served..."

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{{Short description|New York-based 3D printing marketplace and service}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Shapeways Holdings, Inc.
| logo = Shapeways.png
| image = 3d printed miniature warrior for tabletop gaming on a white background.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| type = [[Private Company|Private]]
| industry = {{ubl|[[3D Printing]]| [[e-Commerce]]}}
| founders = {{ubl|Robert Schouwenburg| Marleen Vogelaar|Peter Weijmarshausen}}
| key_people = Marleen Vogelaar (CEO)
| area_served = Worldwide
| location_city = [[Eindhoven]]
| founded = {{Start date and age|2007}}<br> {{Start date and age|2024|12}}<br />(as Manuevo BV in 2024)
| defunct =
| fate =
| revenue = {{nowrap|{{increase}} {{US$|33 million|link=yes}} (2021)}}
| owner = Manuevo BV<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tyrer-Jones |first=Alex |date=2025-01-17 |title=Diamond Age to Sell Assets in New Online Auction |url=https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/diamond-age-to-sell-assets-in-new-online-auction-235736/ |access-date=2026-01-16 |website=3D Printing Industry}}</ref>
| num_employees = 88<ref>[https://leadiq.com/c/shapeways/5a1d8669240000240060ab94 "Shapeways"] LeadIQ. December 2025.</ref>
| num_employees_year = 2025
| website = {{URL|shapeways.com}}
| footnotes = <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1784851/000119312522091992/d208861d10k.htm |title=Shapeway Holdings, Inc. 2021 Annual Report (Form 10-K) |date=March 31, 2022 |publisher=[[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]]}}</ref>
}}

'''Shapeways, Inc.''' is a global, [[3D printing]] marketplace and service company. Users design and upload 3D printable files, from which the company prints ordered objects for them, or for others.<ref>[https://www.wired.com/wiredenterprise/2011/11/3d-printing-autodesk/ Caleb Garling, "3-D Printers Will Build Circuit Boards 'In 2 Years'", Wired magazine, November 4, 2011]</ref><ref>[http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-57318231-52/autodesk-bringing-3d-modeling-to-the-masses/ Daniel Terdiman, “Autodesk bringing 3D modeling to the masses”, Cnet, November 3, 2011]</ref> Users can have objects printed in over 55 materials and finishes, including plastics, precious metals, brass and bronze<ref>[http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/12/with-help-from-shapeways-you-can-print-your-dishes/?partner=rss&emc=rss Nick Bilton, "With Help From Shapeways, You Can Print Your Dishes", New York Times, May 12, 2011]</ref> and, as of 2025, eight additive processes.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2025-02-26 |title=Shapeways adds FDM and five materials to 3D printing services |url=https://www.tctmagazine.com/shapeways-adds-fdm-to-3d-printing-services/ |access-date=2026-01-16 |website=TCT |language=en}}</ref>

The company filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in July 2024, and Shapeways was delisted from the [[New York Stock Exchange]] (NYSE).

Robert Schouwenburg and Marleen Vogelaar, two original founders of Shapeways, along with the former Dutch management team, formed a [[phoenix company]], as a subsidiary of WVS International Inc,<ref name=":2" /> '''Manuevo BV''', and acquired Shapeways' European assets from Dutch bankruptcy that month.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Press Releases – Manuevo |url=https://manuevo.com/press-release/ |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=manuevo.com}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Griffiths |first=Laura |date=6 August 2024 |title=Manuevo acquires Shapeways' assets and takes over team and operations in Eindhoven |url=https://www.tctmagazine.com/additive-manufacturing-3d-printing-news/latest-additive-manufacturing-3d-printing-news/manuevo-acquires-shapeways-assets-additive-manufacturing-assets-team-eindhoven/ |website=tctmagazine}}</ref> By December 2024, Manuevo bought the US trademark and other IP assets, and Shapeways had restarted operations at its Eindhoven plant.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Davies |first=Sam |date=3 December 2024 |title=The Shapeways brand is revived as Manuevo acquires 'all available assets' from trustees |url=https://www.tctmagazine.com/additive-manufacturing-3d-printing-news/latest-additive-manufacturing-3d-printing-news/shapeways-brand-revived-manuevo-acquires-available-assets/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250306214116/https://www.tctmagazine.com/additive-manufacturing-3d-printing-news/latest-additive-manufacturing-3d-printing-news/shapeways-brand-revived-manuevo-acquires-available-assets/ |archive-date=2025-03-06}}</ref>

== History ==

[[File:Madurodam Shapeways 3D selfie in 1 20 scale after a second spray of varnish FRD.jpg|thumb|500px|A [[3D selfie]] in 1:20 scale printed by Shapeways, created by [[Madurodam]] miniature park from 2D pictures taken at its Fantasitron photo booth.]]

=== 2007–2017 ===
Shapeways began as a [[Corporate spin-off|spin-off]] of [[Royal Philips Electronics]], the Netherlands in 2007. It was founded by Peter Weijmarshausen, Robert Schouwenburg and Marleen Vogelaar and the idea came forth at the Philips design department. The idea of developing a business around 3D printing within Philips was conceived in 2005 by Dolf Wittkämper within the Philips lifestyle incubator program which offers support for start-up companies with innovative ideas; the founders of Shapeways developed their business plan and service within the program.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://socialradius.com/work.php?id=philips |title=The Shortest Path To Being Everywhere |publisher=SocialRadius |date= |accessdate=2014-03-04 |archive-date=2013-10-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029065013/http://www.socialradius.com/work.php?id=philips |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.shapeways.com/blog/archives/595-Shapeways-raises-5M-and-opens-HQ-in-New-York.html |title=Shapeways raises $5M and opens HQ in New York - Shapeways Blog on 3D Printing News & Innovation |publisher=Shapeways.com |date=2010-09-23 |accessdate=2014-03-04 |archive-date=2018-07-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709010418/https://www.shapeways.com/blog/archives/595-Shapeways-raises-5M-and-opens-HQ-in-New-York.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2008, a service was launched that allowed customers to design their own 3D products through [[rapid prototyping]] by sending a [[Computer-aided design|CAD]]-file to the Shapeways website to 3D print.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bright.nl/nederlandse-shapeways-start-printen-3d-objecten |title=Nederlandse Shapeways start printen 3D-objecten | B R I G H T |publisher=Bright.nl |date=2008-07-24 |accessdate=2014-03-04}}</ref> Designers can also sell their own designs to be 3D printed on demand for customers, Shapeways handles the financial transaction, manufacture, distribution and customer service; profits go to the designer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/shapeways-3d-printing-2012-12 |title=Shapeways 3D Printing |publisher=[[Business Insider]] |date=2012-12-19 |accessdate=2014-03-04}}</ref>

Originally the ''rapid prototyping'' could only print using simple materials. Later nylon was added as a possibility. In 2009 it was made public that they succeeded in also manufacturing [[stainless steel]]. As of 2012 the scale and possible materials have been further expanded to include [[sterling silver]],<ref>{{cite web|author=Bruce Sterling| author-link= Bruce Sterling | url=https://www.wired.com/beyond_the_beyond/2011/03/spime-watch-shapeways-fabricating-in-silver/ |title=Spime Watch: Shapeways fabricating in silver | Beyond The Beyond |publisher=Wired.com |date=2011-03-10 |accessdate=2014-03-04}}</ref> [[acrylate polymer|acrylic]], full color 3D printing and food safe [[ceramic]]s.<ref>{{cite web|last=Trout |first=Christopher |url=https://www.engadget.com/2011/05/13/shapeways-glazed-ceramics-make-3d-printed-objects-you-can-eat-of/ |title=Shapeways Glazed Ceramics make 3D printed objects you can eat off of |publisher=Engadget.com |date= 13 May 2011|accessdate=2014-03-04}}</ref>

On October 19, 2012 Shapeways opened a new 3D printing factory in [[Queens, New York]] that could house 50 industrial printers and produce millions of consumer-designed products a year.<ref name="cp2012-06-22b">[http://www.popsci.com/diy/article/2012-10/video-giant-3-d-printing-factory-opens-new-york-city], October 19, 2012, Dave Mosher, ''Popsci'', retrieved at October 19, 2012</ref>

The option now exist for consumers to adapt designs without prior knowledge of 3D design programming.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://all3dp.com/1/best-free-3d-modeling-software-3d-cad-3d-design-software/|title=Best 3D Modeling Software of 2021 (Some are Free)|date=11 August 2021}}</ref> There are models which can be adapted in real time by uploading new text or pictures. There is also the possibility of participating in co-creator platforms in which consumers and designers work together to achieve optimal results. In July 2014, Shapeways announced a partnership program with [[Hasbro, Inc.]] to produce 3D printed models of characters from ''[[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic]]'' based on designs created by the [[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic fandom|adult fan artists]] from the show and approved by Hasbro. The approach has been seen as a way to lead into other licensed media productions from Hasbro and other Hollywood companies.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/21/business/hasbro-selling-my-little-pony-fan-art.html?_r=0&referrer= | title = Hasbro to Collaborate With 3-D Printing Company to Sell Artwork | first = Elizabeth | last = Harris | date = 2014-07-20 | accessdate = 2014-07-20 | work = [[New York Times]] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.fastcompany.com/3033269/innovation-agents/bronies-little-girls-rejoice-3d-printing-is-now-legal | title = Bronies, Little Girls Rejoice: 3-D Pony Printing is Now Legal | publisher = [[Fast Company (magazine)|Fast Company]] | first = Eric | last = Alt | date = 2014-07-21 | accessdate = 2014-07-21 }}</ref>

=== 2015–2024 ===
On February 21, 2018, Shapeways named Gregory Kress as CEO, replacing Tom Finn.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://venturebeat.com/2018/02/21/shapeways-hires-new-ceo-to-shape-the-future-of-3d-printing/|title=Shapeways hires new CEO to shape the future of 3D printing|date=2018-02-21|work=VentureBeat|access-date=2018-02-21|language=en-US|archive-date=2018-02-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180221165019/https://venturebeat.com/2018/02/21/shapeways-hires-new-ceo-to-shape-the-future-of-3d-printing/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2018, Shapeways announced an agreement with [[Stratasys]] to provide entrepreneurs better access to 3D full-color printing using a variety of materials.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://3dprint.com/225785/shapeways-stratasys-full-color/|title=Shapeways Teams Up With Stratasys to Offer Full-Color, Multi-Material 3D Printing to Customers|date=2018-09-25|website=3DPrint.com {{!}} The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-16}}</ref> Since 2019, Shapeways has been able to produce PA-11, a material used in various industries such as [[aerospace]], [[Medicine|medical]], [[Automotive industry|automotive]] and more.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tctmagazine.com/api/content/a1eab74c-50a2-11e9-a3a6-12f1225286c6/|title=Shapeways announces availability of PA11 laser sintered parts|last=Davies|first=Sam|date=2019-03-28|website=TCT Magazine|language=en-gb|access-date=2019-07-16}}</ref>

In 2019, Shapeways manufactured its 10 millionth printed part.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tctmagazine.com/api/content/875f70f8-4ef8-11e9-9c3c-12f1225286c6/|title=Leaders of the New School: The Shape of 3D Printing to come|last=Griffiths|first=Laura|date=2019-03-29|website=TCT Magazine|language=en-gb|access-date=2019-07-16}}</ref> It then produced up to 6,000 products daily, delivered to more than 130 countries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tctmagazine.com/api/content/1ab40f6c-39b9-11e9-9900-120e7ad5cf50/|title=Shapeways customers to have access to Carbon 3D printing technology|last=Davies|first=Sam|date=2019-02-28|website=TCT Magazine|language=en-gb|access-date=2019-07-16}}</ref>

In September 2019, Shapeways signed a partnership agreement with ZVerse, CADaaS platform, aiming to solve the problem of digital content creation.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/shapeways-integrates-zverse-software-to-accelerate-3d-design-solutions-161833/|title= Shapeways integrates Zverse software to accelerate 3D design solutions|last=Vialva|first=Tia|date=2019-09-18|website=3D Printing Industry}}</ref> CADaaS platform enables to optimize 3D files that don't meet required standards and even create new 3D models directly within the Shapeways website.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-12-13|title=CADaaS - 3D design solution introduced by Shapeways and ZVerse|url=https://printbusiness.info/news/2019/12/cadaas-3d-design-solution-introduced-by-shapeways-and-zverse/|access-date=2021-04-19|website=Print Business info|language=en-US}}</ref> In 2020, Forward AM, BASF’s brand for high-performance materials and services for 3D printing, partnered with Shapeways to offer customers the ability to order 3D-printed items online made with Forward AM material.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.voxelmatters.com/forward-am-partners-with-shapeways-to-enable-additive-production-at-scale|title=Forward AM partners with Shapeways to enable additive production at scale|last1=Anusci|first1=Victor|date=2020-07-23|website=VoxelMatters|language=en|access-date=2021-03-30|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128224848/https://www.3dprintingmedia.network/forward-am-partners-with-shapeways-to-enable-additive-production-at-scale|archive-date=2022-11-28}}</ref>

In 2021, Shapeways announced having 3D printed over 20 million parts for more than a million customers in 160 countries.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Listek|first=Vanesa|date=2021-02-18|title=Shapeways 3D Prints Over 20 Million Parts Worldwide|url=https://3dprint.com/279098/shapeways-3d-prints-over-20-million-parts-worldwide/|access-date=2021-03-30|website=3DPrint.com {{!}} The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing|language=en-US}}</ref>

On April 28, 2021, Shapeways and Galileo Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: GLEO), a [[special-purpose acquisition company]], entered into a definitive merger agreement for a merger transaction in which Shapeways will be acquired by Galileo. Upon closing of the transaction, the combined company will be named<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1784851/000110465921072445/tm2117636d1_425.htm|url-access= |title=Shapeways Teams with Mimaki to Advance Full-Color 3D Printing|date=2021-05-26|website=[[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]]|location=[[Washington D.C.]]|language=en-us|access-date=2024-02-01|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201160049/https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1784851/000110465921072445/tm2117636d1_425.htm|archive-date=2024-02-01}}</ref> Shapeways Holdings, Inc. and is expected to remain listed on the NYSE under the new ticker symbol, SHPW. The combined company was led by Greg Kress, Shapeways’ [[Chief executive officer|CEO]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-28|title=Shapeways agrees SPAC merger with Galileo to go public|url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/shapeways-agrees-spac-merger-with-galileo-go-public-2021-04-28/|access-date=2021-04-28|website=Reuters}}</ref>

=== 2024 bankruptcy ===
On July 2, 2024, Shapeways ceased fulfilling orders and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.<ref name="InvestorPlace">{{Cite web |last=InvestorPlace |date=2024-07-03 |title=Why is Shapeways Stock down 52% Today |url=https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/why-is-shapeways-shpw-stock-down-52-today-1033526350?op=1 |access-date=2024-07-03 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref> The company’s executives all resigned and its assets were put up for liquidation the same day.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davies |first=Sam |date=2024-07-03 |title=Shapeways ceases operations and files for bankruptcy |url=https://www.tctmagazine.com/additive-manufacturing-3d-printing-news/latest-additive-manufacturing-3d-printing-news/shapeways-ceases-operations-and-files-for-bankruptcy/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1PYzl249UyzqSG2n-pZa0rtTp2db8vv3bicKZ7QY_FhG3Ae-LaaZ4OKIA_aem_FTH_Y7xPwo6ER30lkSMhPA |website=TCT Mag |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="InvestorPlace"/> The company was de-listed from the NYSE that month, following the bankruptcy.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tctmagazine.com/additive-manufacturing-3d-printing-news/latest-additive-manufacturing-3d-printing-news/shapeways-ceases-operations-and-files-for-bankruptcy/ |title=Shapeways ceases operations and files for bankruptcy |date= July 3, 2024|publisher= Rapid News Publications}}</ref>

The Netherlands management team, in collaboration with two of the original co-founders, Vogelaar and Shapeways CEO Schouwenburg, formed a phoenix company, Manuevo BV, in Eindhoven, as a subsidiary of WVS International Inc, with factory manager Jules Witte as [[Chief operating officer|COO]].<ref name=":2" />

The Netherlands subsidiary of Shapeways remained profitable, and was largely unscathed by the demise of the American company; Manuevo therefore aimed to continue servicing Shapeways clients and to retain the former subsidiary's Dutch jobs. The new entity acquired the assets of the bankrupt Shapeways on 29 July,<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> then officially opened on August 1, 2024 when it acquired the Dutch assets from the local Dutch trustee.<ref>{{cite web |title=Shapeways Relaunched in Europe as Manuevo Following Asset Acquisition |url=https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/shapeways-relaunched-in-europe-as-manuevo-following-asset-acquisition-232193/ |access-date=29 August 2025}}</ref> Manuevo operates internationally.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peels |first=Joris |date=2024-08-06 |title=European Arm of Shapeways Saved by Dutch Senior Management |url=https://3dprint.com/311923/european-arm-of-shapeways-saved-by-dutch-senior-management/ |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=3DPrint.com {{!}} The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Doorstart Shapeways |url=https://bz.nl/updates/doorstart-shapeways/ |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=Boels Zanders |language=nl-NL}}</ref>

On 3 December 2024, Vogelaar and Schouwenburg, five months after Manuevo had acquired Shapeways' European assets;<ref name=":1" /> WVS International announced that it had bought the US trademark and other IP assets, and that Shapeways had returned to its [[Eindhoven]] plant with its founding team, and restarted operations.<ref name=":1" />

=== Post-bankruptcy ===
On December 18, 2024, Shapeways acquired Thangs<ref>[https://thangs.com/ Thangs]</ref> from Physna Inc. to establish a new ecosystem for creators.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tyrer-Jones |first=Alex |date=2024-12-19 |title=Shapeways Acquires Thangs to Establish New Creator Ecosystem |url=https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/shapeways-acquires-thangs-to-establish-new-creator-ecosystem-235230/ |access-date=2026-01-16 |website=3D Printing Industry |language=en-US}}</ref>

==See also==
{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|
*[[Pinshape]]
*[[Sketchfab]]
*[[Thingiverse]]
*[[Materialise NV]]
*[[Sculpteo]]
*[[Cults (3D printing marketplace)|Cults]]
*[[Threeding]]
*[[ShapeJS]]
*[[Xometry]]
}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Official website|https://www.shapeways.com}}
*{{Official website|https://www.thangs.com}}

[[Category:3D publishing]]
[[Category:Companies based in New York City]]
[[Category:Companies formerly listed on the New York Stock Exchange]]
[[Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2024]]
[[Category:3D printing websites]]
[[Category:Dutch companies established in 2007]]
[[Category:Dutch companies disestablished in 2024]]
[[Category:Special-purpose acquisition companies]]
[[Category:2024 mergers and acquisitions]]

Shapeways - Revision history