MicroVentures, one of the first full-service equity crowdfunding platforms in the U.S., continued its tradition of offering high-demand deals to investors with this investment opportunity. The company also took a board seat in Structured Polymers, likely a first for a crowdfunding platform.
"MicroVentures operates like an online venture capital investment bank, although we offer a different experience than a traditional VC firm," said MicroVentures President Bill Clark. "This deal is the perfect example of our ability to combine the best aspects of both venture capital and equity crowdfunding. We not only offer mentorship and market research to our startups, but the ability to raise money quickly from a growing online network of accredited investors."
Structured Polymers is developing an innovative method of producing ink for the commercial 3D printing industry, offering exponentially more manufacturing applications at reduced cost. The company's patented manufacturing method utilizing Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) allows it to provide substantially more polymer grades than currently available on the market, which will help revolutionize final-part manufacturing through better and stronger materials.
"We are at a major turning point in the 3D printing industry due to 20-year-old hardware patents expiring. This presents new opportunities in the commercial 3D printing market in particular, and Structured Polymers is set to capitalize on these changes by offering specialized materials at lower costs than the limited materials available now," said Vikram Devarajan, PhD, founder and CEO of Structured Polymers. "MicroVentures recognized the opportunity this represents for investors and worked quickly to secure the majority of the funding we needed in less than a week."
3D printing has gained substantial traction over the past few years, ballooning to a $2.6 billion industry that is expected to grow to $6.5 billion by 2019. With hardware patents expiring, analysts are projecting costs to decrease substantially, increasing the technology's relevance for the manufacturing sector.
"3D printing is not a fad, but the impetus for a new industrial revolution in the U.S.," added Clark. "There hasn't been real material innovation in this industry in more than 20 years. We think Structured Polymers is positioned to be a major winner in this market, as no matter who wins the battle for hardware market share, every 3D printer will need the kind of advanced ink this company is developing."
About Structured Polymers
Structured Polymers is an Austin-based technology company that produces specialty polymer powders for sale to the 3D printing industry. The company has a proprietary method to manufacture new and traditional Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) materials with significantly improved properties at lower costs. The Structured Polymers team has extensive startup, mechanical engineering and material development experience, and includes Dr. Carl Deckard, the inventor of the SLS process.
About MicroVentures
MicroVentures is one of the financial industry's first organizations to merge crowdfunding with the venture capital industry. The San Francisco- and Austin-based firm provides an exclusive opportunity for online equity crowdfunding. The company's team of experienced financial and risk professionals conduct detailed due diligence on startups, and if approved, helps them raise capital from angel investors. As a FINRA-registered broker-dealer, MicroVentures matches startups seeking capital with investors looking to invest as little as $5,000. For more information, visit www.microventures.com.
