Shapeways began in 2007, founded by Robert Schouwenburg, Marleen Vogelaar, and Peter Weijmarshausen as a spin-off from Royal Philips Electronics LifeStyle Incubator. At launch, the company allowed users to upload designs for 3D printing and quickly thereafter built a community model.
The company grew, raising its first $5mn in August 2010, relocating its HQ to New York in December 2010. The first US facility in Long Island City opened in 2012 and the company continued to raise significant equity investments, ultimately going public via a SPAC listing in 2021. One of the three original co-founders, Robert Schouwenburg, left the company in 2012 followed by Marleen Vogelaar in 2014.
After getting into financial difficulty, Shapeways Inc filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in July 2024.
Meanwhile, the Eindhoven division (Shapeways BV) remained stable and profitable, continuing to serve global customers. In 2024, two of the original founders, Robert and Marleen, along with long-time employees, stepped in to revive the company under new ownership.
Timeline of SW history:
2007: Shapeways was founded as part of Royal Philips Electronics in Eindhoven by Robert Schouwenburg, Marleen Vogelaar and Peter Weijmarshausen.
2008: Shapeways starts offering 3D printing services to the public, including the marketplace and ability to host shops.
2008-2010: The company sees organic growth and the addition of new materials.
2010: The first round of $5mn funding taken to drive development of the business and Shapeways moves to NYC.
2011: Shapeways raises a Series B funding round of $5mn
2012: A Series B extension raises a further $6.5mn;
Robert Schouwenburg leaves the company;
US facility in Long Island City, New York, opens.
2013: A Series C funding round raises $30mn
2014: Marleen Vogelaar leaves the company
2015: Series D funding of $30.5mn
2018: Final Series E funding round raises $30mn
2021: Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC)-facilitated listing on NYSE net proceeds
02 July 2024: Chapter 7 bankruptcy and liquidation of assets
29 July 2024: Manuevo BV, a subsidiary of WVS International Inc., acquires assets of Shapeways BV, the Netherlands-based division of the defunct Shapeways, Inc.
November 2024: WVS completes acquisition of all available Shapeways, Inc. assets, including the Shapeways brand and www.shapeways.com website.