The 3D printing world is a dynamic and rapidly expanding market. A quick search on Wikipedia showed approximately 120 different companies. Venturescanner.com perports to be currently tracking 257 3D printing companies. It is should be pointed out that Venture scanner includes in that number, companies that may not produce their own printer, instead they are simply connected to the printing industry.
The graphic above is merely a snapshot of total number of companies competing in this market. Beyond the number of companies, it is worth noting the variety of realms available within the context of 3D printing for ventures to start.
To assess which companies are competing with Tinkerine I chose to focus on those companies that offer an educational component. Tinkerine offers a specific curriculum and its competitors needed to provide the same type content. It turns out there are multiple companies who have begun to offer more than just the 3D printer and are starting to add educational curriculum. I have chosen to highlight a company that is one of the most well known in the 3D printing world, MakerBot.
To assess which companies are competing with Tinkerine I chose to focus on those companies that offer an educational component. Tinkerine offers a specific curriculum and its competitors needed to provide the same type content. It turns out there are multiple companies who have begun to offer more than just the 3D printer and are starting to add educational curriculum. I have chosen to highlight a company that is one of the most well known in the 3D printing world, MakerBot.
MakerBot
MakerBot was founded in 2009 and is based out of New York. MakerBot is considered by many to be the premier 3D printing company in the market, and currently offers 4 different 3D printers. Beyond their hardware MakerBot hosts a massive online community called the Thingiverse. In the Thingiverse users share project ideas with each other, and create a collection of printable objects.
Beyond the Thingiverse MakerBot has begun to create unique lesson plans and curriculum. To see watch some examples of what MakerBot is offering in the realm education follow this link.
Beyond the Thingiverse MakerBot has begun to create unique lesson plans and curriculum. To see watch some examples of what MakerBot is offering in the realm education follow this link.
Summary
,The 3D printer market is not a small one. Multiple companies providing different machines and experiences are competing to corner their section of the market. Tinkerine is not unique in its focus on education, however adding this focus has differentiated the company from many of the ventures out there. One thing going for the company is the fact that they are a British Colombia company based out of Vancouver. There are few Canadian 3D printer companies in existence, and if they are able to create unique Canadian educational content they may be able to out compete the larger American companies.