GE Ventures and Autodesk Expand Historical Collaborations with Optomec

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.--Optomec, a global leader in production-grade Additive Manufacturing solutions, today announced that GE Ventures, and Autodesk, Inc. through its Spark Investment Fund, have made strategic investments in the company. The proceeds will be used to further the development, promotion and deployment of Optomecs proprietary solutions for a range of production applications, including 3D Printed Sensors/Antenna, Advanced Electronics Packaging and 3D Printed Metal. Additionally, the companies intend to expand on a variety of historic collaborations.

Optomecs commercial relationship with GE dates back to 2005, when GE Global Research was one of the first customers to acquire an Aerosol Jet printed electronics system. More recently, GE has expanded its installation with systems at Power & Water, Aviation and Healthcare. One key area of collaboration is 3D Sensors that are directly printed onto high-value components. Such tightly integrated sensors provide critical input to structural health and have the potential to substantially reduce the life cycle cost of complex mechanical systems.

"Its always a great opportunity when we are able to invest in a company weve been working with as part of a customer relationship," said Steve Taub, Senior Director, Advanced Manufacturing at GE Ventures. "We know from direct experience that Optomecs Advanced Manufacturing solutions are successful and look forward to its continued developments within the space."

Similarly, Optomec has previously worked with Autodesk using its software tools to generate design data that ultimately drives Optomecs printers. Both companies intend to work to collaboratively develop software tools that leverage the Spark 3D printing platform in better connecting hardware and software for additive manufacturing.

"The Spark Investment Fund aims to push the boundaries of additive manufacturing, and we believe a connected ecosystem between hardware and software is key in spurring innovation and collaboration," said Samir Hanna, vice president and general manager, Consumer and 3D Printing, Autodesk. "Were excited to have a shared vision with Optomec in enabling additive manufacturing technology to be seamlessly integrated into conventional production platforms to advance the overall design and fabrication process."

Together, the ultimate aim of such collaborations is to enable Optomec to offer more seamless industrially hardened solutions that reduce barriers in the adoption of additive manufacturing.

"Optomec is extremely pleased to welcome GE Ventures and Autodesk as strategic investors. Both companies are at the vanguard in embracing additive manufacturing as a next generation production technology," said Optomec CEO Dave Ramahi, adding, "Our strategic visions are well aligned on many fronts, ranging from the need for an open systems approach to drive adoption, to the role that these technologies can play in advancing key initiatives such as the Industrial Internet and IoT. We are very fortunate to be able to draw on their technical and commercial expertise."

About GE Ventures:
GE Ventures identifies, scales and accelerates ideas that will help make the world work better. Focused on the areas of software, advanced manufacturing, energy and healthcare, GE Ventures combines equity investing, new business creation, licensing and technology transfer to deliver an innovation platform designed to drive growth for partners and GE. For more information, please visit www.geventures.com or follow on Twitter (@GE_Ventures) and LinkedIn.

About Autodesk
Autodesk helps people imagine, design and create a better world. Everyone—from design professionals, engineers and architects to digital artists, students and hobbyists—uses Autodesk software to unlock their creativity and solve important challenges. For more information visit autodesk.com or follow @autodesk.

About Optomec
Optomec is a privately-held, rapidly growing supplier of Additive Manufacturing systems. Optomecs patented Aerosol Jet Systems for printed electronics and LENS 3D Printers for metal components are used by industry to reduce product cost and improve performance. Together, these unique printing solutions work with the broadest spectrum of functional materials, ranging from electronic inks to structural metals and even biological matter. Optomec has more than 200 marquee customers around the world, targeting production applications in the Electronics, Energy, Life Sciences and Aerospace industries. For more information about Optomec, visit http://optomec.com.