Call for Entries of the 3D Pioneers Challenge 2023

Rapid.Tech 3D
9 – 11 May 2023, Messe Erfurt, Germany

The 3D Pioneers Challenge (3DPC), the platform for additive manufacturing and advanced technologies, is looking for the pioneers and innovators who are resiliently shaping a sustainable tomorrow. The largest international competition of its kind will be announced for the eighth time under the scope of the Rapid.Tech 3D (Messe Erfurt, 9-11 May 2023). This event offers a successful triad of specialist congress, exhibition and networking opportunities for the AM industry.

FOCUS 3DPC2023

RESILIENCE. NOW.
Advanced Technologies to enable a sustainable tomorrow.

Epic challenges surround us demanding social, ecological, economic and personal change. In those times it’s creative pioneers who take a conscious, deep breath to rethink the status quo. Driven by a mindset that reflects, settles, and sorts everything, they focus on holistic solutions for a better now and tomorrow. Let’s be pioneers. Be resilient.

We do need to converge and generate bridges focusing a sustainable transfer of that approach. Advanced technologies such as digital tools and additive manufacturing are key roles that enable transformation and innovation.

The 3DPC2023 invites pioneers of all generations with this mindset to use the platform. Present your concepts, projects or new business models to push the boundaries. The contest calls for entries in ten verticals, which derive from the questions "WHAT, HOW and WHY… we design and make". For 2023, these are Design, Digital, Architecture, FashionTech, Materials, MedTech, Mobility, Electronics, Machinery and Sustainability.

Submission closes 1 March 2023.

AWARDS
The 3D Pioneers Challenge is one of the world’s most prestigious competitions for innovation, additive manufacturing and cutting-edge technologies.

Participants can expect prizes worth a total of more than €185,000. The prize money of €35,000 is provided by the Thuringian Ministry of Economic Affairs Science and Digital Society.

The "Main Winner" wins the "3DPC Trophy". The limited edition design object was created especially for the 3DPC in cooperation with Designer Ross Lovegrove, Hyperganic and Materialise. Three winners can look forward to 3D printers from MakerBot (SKETCH Large), Asiga (Asiga MAX UV) or Ultimaker (S5 Pro Bundle).

As digital tools nTopology awards two "nTop Full versions" software licenses for their engineering design software and the "Best Industrial Project" wins the 3 month software package for the “on-demand manufacturing software” by 3YOURMIND.

For 2023 3DPC invented for the first time a Special Mention, that will go to the "Best Start-Up": AM Ventures, supporters for start-ups in Additive Manufacturing, invites the winning team to a workshop. During the customised coaching by the experts, the winners will receive input on "Pitch Coaching", "Business Model" or "Scaling".

Long-time partner Autodesk recognizes excellence under the scope of „Special Mention by Autodesk Technology Centers“ by providing the opportunity for three winners to join the Autodesk Technology Centers Outsight Network – a global community of industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and researchers building future-focused technology.

Books by avedition, the publishing house for architecture and design, round off the prize packages.

SPECIAL FEATURE
Entrants can once again benefit from the "Special Feature by nTopology". This means that nTopology is making its platform for forward-looking design and engineering software available free of charge during the competition. With this innovative tool, ideas and concepts for the competition can be realised and taken to the next level. Accompanying tutorials are offered by nTopology. With this cooperation, 3DPC starts early in the process chain and wants to support education.

The prizes and specials are selected with the partners of the “3DPC & Friends” Network to support participants in taking the best advantages for their projects.

EXHIBITION and AWARD CEREMONY
The award ceremony will take place during Rapid.Tech 3D (9-11 May 2023, Messe Erfurt). The finalist and winning projects will be exhibited at the 3DPC special area.

In addition to a broad information platform, Rapid.Tech 3D is also a creative meeting place for start-ups as well as for experts and industry giants of additive manufacturing. The high-class and strongly user-oriented congress is complemented by a trade exhibition on the additive process chain with suitable opportunities for networking and exchange, e.g. at various evening events or the 3D Printing Conference.

JURY and PARTNER
The 29 experts complement each other with their multi-layered perspectives from the announced disciplines and represent the quality of the award. The 3DPC thereby merges the disruptive and established industry as well as the focus on sustainability also in the jury board. The internationality of the jury members, coming from Europe, Asia and the USA, brings in their diverse point of views and enriches the evaluation of the worldwide submissions. New members and innovators such as Kristin Mulherin, founder of Women in 3D Printing, as well as Peter Rogers from Velo3D or Ulf Lindhe from Oqton contribute their long experience in 3D printing and additive technologies. Dr. Cordelius Ilgmann will support on behalf of the Thuringian Ministry for Economy, Science and Digital Society. Established companies are once again providing jurors, such as Siemens Digital Industries with Dr Karsten Heuser and Stefanie Brickwede from DB and the mga association. The holistic cross-category aspect of sustainability will be focused by jury members Carina Lebsack from Würth GmbH & Co KG, Marie-Lucie Linde from "Sustainable Natives" and Virginia San Fratello from Emerging Objects.

All information for entrants, the formalities as well as the online application and registration are available at: www.3dpc.io 
Participation is free of charge for "students", "young professionals / start-ups" and exhibitors of Rapid.Tech 3D.

The deadline for submission is 1 March 2023.

Facts 3DPC 2023

Jury 3DPC 2023
Frank Beckmann_Fraunhofer IAPT
Prof. Christiane Beyer_Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg
Dr. Shajay Bhooshan_Zaha Hadid Architects
Stefanie Brickwede_DB, Mobility goes Additive
Bas de Jong_3YOURMIND
Lutz Dietzold_German Design Council
Sarah Goehrke_Additive Integrity
Pia Harlaß_DyeMansion
Arno Held_AM Ventures
Dr. Karsten Heuser_Siemens Digital Industries
Thomas Hundt_Jangled Nerves
Dr. Cordelius Ilgmann_ Thuringian Ministry of Economic Affairs Science and Digital Society. Gil Lavi_3D Alliances
Carina Lebsack_Adolf Würth GmbH & Co. KG
Marie-Lucie Linde_Sustainable Natives, nextblooming
Ulf Lindhe_Additive Manufacturing Business Innovator – Oqton
Ross Lovegrove_Lovegrove Studio
Dr. Cora Lüders-Theuerkauf_Medical goes Additive e.V.
Prof. Shlomo Magdassi_Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Kristin Mulherin_Women in 3D Printing
Joris Peels_SmarTech Analysis, 3DPrint.com
Sonja Rasch_Materialise
Peter Rogers_Velo3D
Virginia San Fratello_Emerging Objects
Dr. Dirk Simon_FARSOON Europe
Matthew Spremulli_Autodesk Technology Centers
Joachim Stumpp_raumPROBE
Andreas Velten_IFA3D Medical Solutions
Christoph Völcker_Innovation Lab AM, Würth Elektronik

Partner 3DPC 2023
3D Alliances, 3Druck.com, 3D natives, 3DPrint.com, 3D Printing Industry, 3YOURMIND, aed e.V., ALL3DP, AM Ventures, Asiga, Autodesk Technology Centers, avedition, DB Deutsche Bahn, Designspotter, DyeMansion, Farsoon Europe, Fraunhofer IAPT, German Design Council, Haute Innovation, Jangeld Nerves, MakerBot, Materialise, Medical goes Additive e.V., Messe Erfurt, Mobility goes Additive e.V., ndion_News on Design, nTopology, Rapid.Tech 3D, raumPROBE, Siemens, Stratasys, Thuringian Ministry of Economic Affairs Science and Digital Society, Ultimaker, Verband 3DDruck e.V., Woman in 3D Printing, Würth GmbH & Co. KG

About Rapid.Tech 3D
The Rapid.Tech3D is the future-oriented pioneering event of the AM scene at Messe Erfurt/Germany and will take place from May 9th to 11th, 2023. The event offers a successful triad of specialist congress, exhibition and networking opportunities for the AM industry. In addition to a broad information platform, Rapid.Tech 3D is also a creative meeting place for start-ups as well as for experts and industry giants of additive manufacturing. The high-class and strongly user-oriented congress is complemented by a trade exhibition on the additive process chain with suitable opportunities for networking and exchange, e.g. at various evening events or the 3D Printing Conference. The Rapid.Tech3D is proud to offer the additive technologies 2023 a broad stage already for the 19th time.

About 3D Pioneers Challenge
The international competition for Additive Manufacturing processes and Advanced Technologies is the most prestigious award of its kind and is one of the most highly endowed worldwide. The annual announcement and presentation of the finalists is considered to be the innovation monitor of the industry. Unique in its structure, the competition has been addressing specialists who think outside the box since 2015 – pushing boundaries!

3DPC Platform
The Challenge has become a platform with a global network and is an interface for creative future-makers, pioneers of advanced technologies and innovators from research and industry.

„3DPC & Friends“
Under the umbrella of 3DPC & Friends, 3DPC brings together the creative minds and high-tech pioneers of the 3DPC platform in an interdisciplinary way, resulting in new, groundbreaking projects in which everyone can contribute and live out their expertise – design rethought! The 3DPC shows today what tomorrow will bring – pushing boundaries.