Shapeways - from Eindhoven to New York City

There's a great series of video interviews running on The Verge at the moment. It is called Small Empires. Hosted by Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit, the series focuses on New York based startups.

Episode 5 caught my eye this week as it features a visit to Shapeways, the 3D printing success story which started in the South-East corner of the Netherlands. Founded by an ex-Philips employee, Peter Weijmarshausen, these guys combine very clever technology with a passion for cool design. And by building a shop rather like an art gallery, it inspires others to make things. My son used the 3D service they built in Eindhoven for a project earlier this year - their turnaround time was phenomenal and the costs were very reasonable. Quality of the final product was simply perfect.

Personally, I have no doubt that 3D printing is going to be big. I already know people who use Shapeways or companies like it to make spare parts on-demand to restore antique cars. Why keep a storehouse full of spares when you may need a part every few years? The video above also features co-founder and COO of Shapeways Marleen Vogelaar. It seems the reason that Shapeways has managed to raise more than 30 million dollars in funding is due to the strength of the community they have built around the factory in Long Island City, in Queens, New York. And they have some mighty cool offices on the 9th floor of the building at 419 Park Avenue South in Manhattan!

They help those people uploading designs, giving advice as to whether it will print well in 3D. And the fact that they have printing facilities on both sides of the Atlantic has reduced both shipping costs and the time customers need to wait for their designs to arrive. Shapeways is much more than a print shop dealing with 30,000 uploads to their website per month - in my experience they also give extremely useful advice. The goal is to build a factory with 50 3D printers. There may be a time when everyone has a 3D printer at home, but, as you can see in the video, there's a bit more work needed than just filling a stack of paper as with its 2D cousin. Crafting these objects still takes a few hours in 3D. 

Pitching to an audience worth 10 billion Euro

I'm currently heavily involved in selecting high-tech startup teams for a brand new accelerator program in Eindhoven, in the deep South of the Netherlands. Open Pitch days have started in earnest.

Bart Lugard is the head of team selection at HightechXL, and in this update which we shot he explains about the work so far and what's happening in Athens on September 12th.

Follow the Money

And then of course, the teams often want to know about money. After all in hardware, the sums are substantially more than with web/tablet app development. Teams are typically looking for Euro 500.000 to 2 million on Demo Day. We put this short trailer together to explain why the mentors we're involving also have access to substantial funds. Of course, taking part in HightechXL is a lot more than just about the money. Still, how about pitching to an audience that represents 10 billion Euro? Now that's a real question

Location, Location, Location - Vital to Success

We know that the best young tech companies do research before they consider joining an accelerator program. This video gives you an insight into the unique eco-system that surrounds Startupbootcamp HightechXL, the new high-tech accelerator program that I am helping to build in Eindhoven. Take a look. And if you know teams that might benefit, encourage them to pitch to us. More details at www.hightechxl.com

Ape-like Robots in disaster areas

Are robots attacking your place of work? Luckily only in virtual reality

HightechXL is currently in final stages of the global search for start-ups working in high-tech. But that term "hightech" is quite broad, so we've narrowed it down to the areas which we believe have potential to scale globally. We're looking for teams in these sectors:

Internet of Things	Machine to Machine communication. Networks of low-cost sensors and actuators used for data collection, monitoring, decision making and process optimisation. Includes intelligent lighting systems, personal entertainment, Micro Medical Systems & relevant Nanotechnology.
Advanced Materials	New materials designed to have superior characteristics, (e.g. strengths, conductivity, weight,) or extraordinary functionality. (like graphene).
(Near) Autonomous Vehicles	Vehicles that can navigate and operate with little or no human intervention. Examples include developments in sustainable personal mobility as well as robots that lay glass-fiber inside pipes, or drone-like vehicles that operate in zones too dangerous for humans.
Energy Storage	Devices or system that store energy for later use. Includes advanced battery technologies.
3D Printing	Additive manufacturing techniques to create objects by printing layers of material based on digital models. From spare parts for obsolete cars to high-grade medical human implants. This area is creating huge interest.
Renewable Energy	Generation of electricity from renewable sources, reducing the impact on climate. From solar cells to tidal power.
Advanced Robotics	Increasingly capable robots with enhanced intelligence, dexterity & senses. Doing things that humans find repetitive, difficult or dangerous.
Lifetech – Medtech	21st century healthcare, including the “quantified self”. Technologies to improve personal well being.

The more I dig into this area, the more I become fascinated by what's happening in robotics. In the mainstream media, robots seem to be portrayed as trying to mimic humans. In the film fantasy industry, out of control robot armies paint a threatening, darker picture.  Have you seen the new site Chaos in Your Town, which turned out to be a rather novel, viral campaign for a US insurance agency? Fill in your name and address and watch the action unfold. I wonder if the insurance company follows up with a proposal to protect the real property? But then from what?

More down to earth are the real autonomous robots being developed for use in natural disasters and, I guess, in the military theatres.The US Department of Defense is organising a robot challenge (the DARPA) in four months time. The IEEE magazine Spectrum spotted some of the early public entries. Like the RoboSimian from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. It is more ape-like in its movements rather than trying to imitate a human.

Brabant - where it's happening in R & D

Rather pleased at the response as the video campaign to assist recruitment to the Startupbootcamp HightechXL program now takes shape. Thanks for those who tweeted and reposted. Great buzz in the city of Eindhoven these days. Hope they win their bid to be the Netherlands Cultural capital in 2018. The region certainly deserves more recognition - it's putting more than 3.3 billion Euro into R & D. The rest of the country pales by comparison.

HightechXL Ramps up to the next Phase

Summer holidays are over. 

The labs, cafes and testing facilities are buzzing again on the Hightech Campus Eindhoven. Our global search for brilliant teams now enters a new phase. We've launched the first in a new series of insider videos, giving you a taste of what's to come.

Startupbootcamp HightechXL is ramping up to be the world's leading accelerator for young high-tech companies. 10 teams will soon be selected for the program starting here in the heart of what's happening on November 11th. If your team fits one of the high-tech profiles we're looking for, - and if you're ready to advance your global business strategy, we really should be talking.

Bart Lugard - driving our global search for teams

Don't Miss the Open Pitch Days - Aug 29 & Sept 3rd

Bart Lugard is heading our global search for teams. He reports a very high interest in our different approach to startup acceleration. 

"Competition to get into the program in November is intense. On-line discussions are already taking place this month with teams who have already applied. But there is still a window of opportunity in the open pitch days we're arrange for August 29th and September 3rd 2013. We know that high potentials always surprise us. We love to be challenged by brilliance. And we believe we have useful guidance to give back. All the details are at Hightechxl.com. Spread the word!

8 Profiles on our radar

"Of course, in high-tech, we’re looking for strong teams that have more than just an idea. The winning teams will start the program on November 11^th with a proof of concept or technology proof of principle. Ideally, they should have a demonstrator or a working prototype. In general, paper plans are not usually enough."

"In the various conversations we have had with early startup companies, it's clear that there are big differences between the world of app development and those that involve hardware in their solution. As you're out there searching for the "sustainable business model", as Steve Blank would say, it's much easier to tweak a line of code rather than rebuild a piece of hardware. Which is why the HightechXL program has been fine tuned to the very specific needs of high-tech companies."

"We have had questions from companies who are specialising in software only. But in each case this software is somehow connected to a piece of dedicated hardware. Like a vehicle, or a specialised sensor, or a robot."

Together we'll build a world class business strategy

Bart shares some of the feedback that's been coming in during the first part of August. "We should stress that during the three months (Nov-Feb) we will not focus on developing your technology any further. Instead, we will use the time to fine tune the business model, validate the customer base, engage with lead customers, sign up pilot projects as well as prepare a world-class investor pitch for Demo Day in February. Others have described our program as building a real-world business strategy.

So why are we encouraging teams to apply early? 

It makes a lot of sense to sign up today because late comers often lose out! Not only do early applicants stand out from the rest, we want to reduce the last minute rush that other accelerators report. Our advice to teams is to apply early, even if they have not yet finalised everything (like getting a video pitch ready). 

Fill in what you can and consider applying for one of the on-line pitching sessions. That's a great chance to ask open questions to the program organisers and some of the lead mentors. They may come back with advice and suggestions that can improve the team's chances of getting selected. They still have time to tweak the application. 

Our team in Eindhoven is constantly watching the incoming applications and is already approaching teams for an initial conversation. Good luck - it is going to be a brilliant experience for everyone. 

Great innovation passes by our office at Hightechcampus

The Startupbootcamp HightechXL selection team is moving into the final lap for the selection of great high-tech startups. Even though we're in the middle of summer holidays, the hightech campus in Eindhoven is always buzzing with events. The Solar Team Eindhoven, who were featured in the launch of HightechXL in June, have now been driving around town - including right past our office on the Hightech Campus.



Great to see how this young team of student entrepreneurs has such a clear strategy - and a great drive to make it happen across Australia. They have everything going for them. It's refreshing to see how large companies here in this part of the Netherlands are quick to back people who take initiative and celebrate their success. May be because the history of NXP is also full of entrepreneurship as it was spun off from Philips. They have been there before and know how crucial this stage is the launch of a great company. 

Summer Pitch Days Are Coming to HightechXL

Global Pitch Days on August 29th & September 3rd – read on for details

The recent hot weather is no distraction for the great conversations we've been having with teams applying for the Startupbootcamp HightechXL accelerator program.

We're talking with teams all over the world and encouraging potential applicants to sign-up early. Now we’re announcing a chance for teams to pitch to a panel of HightechXL mentors – the perfect way to test whether you’re ready to accelerate your company – and your team.

Bart Answers the FAQ's

In preparation for our latest program ”Startupbootcamp HightechXL” we’re starting a series of Online Pitch Days targeted at high-tech companies in the early stage of their development. Our mentors are hand-picked from our extensive network of both local and international mentors. They have one thing in common – they’re the very best in their field. All mentors are active entrepreneurs with a wide range of skills and experience. They know what it's like to start a new high-tech company.

Bart Lugard (above) is in charge of our global search for teams.

"Of course, in high-tech, we’re looking for strong teams that have more than just an idea. The winning teams will start the program on November 11^th in Eindhoven with a proof of concept or technology proof of principle. Ideally, they should have a demonstrator or a working prototype…something we can see. Paper plans are rarely enough.

We have only software. Can we still apply?

"We have had enquiries from companies who are focussing their efforts on software only. Yes, our high-tech acceleration program may also be relevant to your company. Probably the software somehow enhances the performance of a piece of dedicated hardware or the supply chain. It may also make the object easier to use; like in a vehicle, a specialised sensor, or a robot."

What happens in the first three months of the program?

It is important to understand that during the three months we will not focus on developing your technology any further. Instead, we will use the time to fine tune the business model, validate the customer base, engage with lead customers, sign up pilot projects as well as prepare a world-class investor pitch for Demo Day in February 2014. Others have described our program as building a real-world business strategy.

So when can we pitch to you guys?

We’re announcing the first full day pitching sessions on August 29^th and September 3^rd which are open to any teams that meets our selection criteria. Interested in pitching? Here’s the link to the online application form. Remember, we’re focussed on 8 areas of high-tech technology that closely match the interests of researchers and investors in Western Europe. These are the areas.

Internet of Things	Machine to Machine communication. Networks of low-cost sensors and actuators used for data collection, monitoring, decision making and process optimisation. Includes intelligent lighting systems, personal entertainment, Micro Medical Systems & relevant Nanotechnology.
Advanced Materials	New materials designed to have superior characteristics, (e.g. strengths, conductivity, weight,) or extraordinary functionality. (like graphene).
(Near) Autonomous Vehicles	Vehicles that can navigate and operate with little or no human intervention. Examples include developments in sustainable personal mobility as well as robots that lay glass-fiber inside pipes, or drone-like vehicles that operate in zones too dangerous for humans.
Energy Storage	Devices or system that store energy for later use. Includes advanced battery technologies.
3D Printing	Additive manufacturing techniques to create objects by printing layers of material based on digital models. From spare parts for obsolete cars to high-grade medical human implants. This area is creating huge interest.
Renewable Energy	Generation of electricity from renewable sources, reducing the impact on climate. From solar cells to tidal power.
Advanced Robotics	Increasingly capable robots with enhanced intelligence, dexterity & senses. Doing things that humans find repetitive, difficult or dangerous.
Lifetech – Medtech	21st century healthcare, including the “quantified self”. Technologies to improve personal wellbeing.

How Pitch Day works

Startups with global ambitions are invited to give a 5 minute pitch before a panel of world class mentors picked from leading high-tech companies in the Eindhoven region. Our mentors are there to listen, analyse and then give constructive, confidential feedback. That usually lasts up to 20 minutes.

This isn’t ”Dragon’s Den” or ”The Apprentice”, where to goal is to entertain people watching at home. This is different.

Win- Win for Everyone

·        You want honest, constructive advice on whether you’re ready to be accelerated. What has great potential? What needs to be fixed? What needs to happen next?

·        We want to meet world-class start-ups and meet the raw talent we know is out there. We'd like to explain why our city of Eindhoven is clearly the best place for your team to accelerate. Confront us with your questions!

Signup here for pitch days.

Good luck from all of us
Jonathan Marks on behalf of 
The Startupbootcamp HighTechXL Team

www.HighTechXL.com