Jun 6, 2014
Japanese company Kabuku announced today that they have raised 200 million yen (about US$2 million) in series A funding led by CyberAgent Ventures. Nissay Capital and Fuji Startup Ventures also contributed to the investment round.
Kabuku launched "Rinkak" in Jan 2013, an online 3D printing marketplace that allows anyone to easily sell 3D printed products through its network.
Much like Shapeways' business model, designers could register and upload 3D models to the Rinkak and get their design produced through Rinkak's 3D printing service and then sell them through the online marketplace. Rinkak charges 30% of designer's profit (product price minus cost of materials) as commission. In addition, Kabuku also directly provides 3D-printed smartphone accessories, miniatures, and products for the architecture, medical, and dental sectors.
"We will use the funds to enhance its development organization to accelerate service, function, and globalization, in order to rapidly structure and upgrade the platform where creators and companies can conduct production simply by uploading 3D data," said Kabuku CEO Masahiko Inada.
This online marketplace is developed by adamrocker, developer of Japanese keyboard "Simeji" and Masahiko, CEO of Kabuku. According to the company, they have leased professional 3D printers which worth nearly 100 million yen from an operational cooperation and these printers allow them to 3D print all plastic, high-precision ceramic, metal and rubber products for customers.
"As already seen in the smartphone business, any developers can sell their own applications simply by uploading to the platform," Inada added. "Similarly in the manufacturing world, Kabuku will create scenes where anyone can easily manufacture, sell and ship their own products simply by uploading 3D data to Rinkak."
Posted in 3D Printing Services
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