KAWASAKI, Japan, Oct. 21, 2022 — SUN METALON Inc., a startup company developing an ultra-fast metal 3D printer, has announced the procurement of US$5.6 million in its pre-series A funding round. The funds were raised from new investor GLOBIS CAPITAL PARTNERS & Co., along with existing investors UTEC (The University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners Co., Ltd.), D4V (Design for Ventures), and Berkeley SkyDeck Fund (associated with the University of California, Berkeley). This new round of fundraising brings the total investment in SUN METALON to US$7.7 million.
With its unique ultra-high-speed metal 3D printing technology — up to 500 times faster than the conventional machines — originating in Japan, SUN METALON aims to create a world where metal products can be produced from local ores anywhere in the world. The company will expand its business globally to democratize metal 3D manufacturing and contribute to the shift into the next age of industrialization.
Comments from investors and SUN METALON’s CEO:
GLOBIS CAPITAL PARTNERS & Co., Tatsuya Nakamura: Ever since I met with Mr. Nishioka last year, I have been excited by the scale of the project explained at every meeting and amazed by the speed and power of its realization. Japan has historically been strong in the area of production machinery, however, in metal 3D printers, the mainstay of next-generation manufacturing, the nation has lagged behind Europe and the U.S. SUN METALON shows potential to lead technological innovation globally and across industries. We look forward to the day when SUN METALON becomes a deep-tech unicorn from Japan, contributing to society at large.
UTEC (The University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners Co., Ltd.), Partner/Managing Director, COO and Board Director, Noriaki Sakamoto: From our first meeting, back when they had no actual product, just the idea of what is capable with his idea of new technology, Mr.Nishioka talked passionately about how 3D printing could build structures on Mars. Since that time, he has remained true to his vision, and has been working with Japanese industry leaders as clients.He has also assembled a dream team and is racing forward to the next stage in the company’s development. I believe that, working together as a team, we can use the power of manufacturing to make a positive impact on the world.
D4V Design for Ventures), Principal Asumi Ota: SUN METALON is a Japanese manufacturing venture led by a highly motivated global management team. We are very excited to work with the global minded Japanese entrepreneurs with a leading edge technology. The team had a bold vision to make metal part manufacturing available anywhere. Combining their technology and D4V/IDEO’s design expertise, we felt we could support SUN METALON to become a global leader in metal 3D printing.
Berkeley SkyDeck, University of California Berkeley, Chon Tang: SkyDeck is focused on bringing the world’s best startups to Silicon Valley – and Sun Metalon absolutely fits that profile. It’s unique technology is truly a moonshot opportunity that could redefine how manufacturing is done for the next generation.
SUN METALON Inc., CEO＆Co-Founder, Kazuhiko Nishioka: We would like to once again thank everyone involved in this large-scale seed round. It is very encouraging to have the support of investors with notable achievements and strengths in Japan, the U.S., and globally, as we target the global and all-space markets with technologies originating in Japan. By the collective efforts of all members, we will complete the test sales of the first model in October 2022 and the official release of the first model in early 2023 without delay. We also look forward to the participation of those who share our vision and are willing to take on the challenge with us.
