The latest addition to Boeing’s venture-capital portfolio is Morf3D, a California startup that focuses on aerospace applications for 3-D printing.
Boeing HorizonX Ventures is a co-leader of the Series A investment round, announced by the companies today. Neither Boeing nor Morf3D detailed how much Boeing was investing, or the total amount raised. However, HorizonX’s investments typically range from seven figures to the low eight figures.
Morf3D is based in El Segundo, Calif., and has been producing 3-D-printed aluminum and titanium components for Boeing satellites and helicopters since the startup was founded in late 2015.
The company uses state-of-the-art software and engineering expertise to reduce mass and increase the performance and functionality of metal parts created through additive manufacturing.
In a statement, Morf3D CEO Ivan Madera said his company was “excited to be a distinguished and trusted partner of Boeing’s additive manufacturing supplier base.”
“This investment will enable us to increase our engineering staff and expand our technology footprint of EOS M400-4 DMLS systems to better serve the growing demands of our aerospace customers,” Madera said.
Boeing will get a boost from having Morf3D as part of its investment portfolio as well as a supplier, said Kim Smith, vice president and general manager of Boeing Fabrication and leader of Boeing’s additive manufacturing team.
“Developing standard additive manufacturing processes for aerospace components benefits both companies and empowers us to fully unleash the value of this transformative technology,” she said.
HorizonX was created last year to serve as Boeing’s channel for outside investments in technologies that are relevant to the company’s interests in aerospace, manufacturing and communication. Other companies in the HorizonX Ventures portfolio include:
- Reaction Engines, a British venture focusing on hypersonic flight.
- Myriota, an Australian venture focusing on satellite communication services for Internet of Things devices.
- Fortem Technologies for drone radar navigation systems.
- Cuberg for advanced batteries.
- Gamma Alloys, for next-generation aluminum alloys.
- Near Earth Autonomy for autonomous flight control systems.
- C360 for augmented reality and virtual reality used in immersive videos.
- Upskill for augmented-reality solutions for industrial settings.
- SparkCognition for AI tools used with the Internet of Things.
- Zunum Aero for hybrid-electric airplane propulsion.
