
In 2025, the 3D Pioneers Challenge (3DPC) celebrated its 10th anniversary! Since 2015, the international competition for additive manufacturing and advanced technologies has provided a stage for pioneers shaping the future.
Over the past decade, the challenge has recognized groundbreaking innovations that have pushed the boundaries of what is possible, inspired the industry, and driven it forward – pushing boundaries.
From students and start-ups to research institutions and industry leaders, submissions have grown in both number and international reach year after year. At the same time, the categories have become increasingly diverse, and the jury has brought together expertise from an ever-wider range of industries and disciplines..
All finalists of the last nine years of the competition were nominated to submit their latest projects and their "story".
This years challenge was all about:
“Where did the journey take the pioneers in the last decade? Where were they with their projects then, where are they now? What impact are they currently creating for the 3D printing sector or the manufacturing industry? What are their impulses to push the future?“
The jury also considered, beside of the latest project, the journey of the former submission, the company, the person or the team behind it.
For the first time, the entries were presented to the complete jury panel of the last decade.
3DPC Trophy
The winner will be awarded the coveted "3DPC Jubilee Trophy". This limited edition design object, created especially for the 3DPC, was developed in 2020 as a project within "3DPC & Friends", in cooperation with the jury member Ross Lovegrove, the winner of "3DPC 2019 Digital" Hyperganic and partner Materialise .
The Book - pushing boundaries
The Pioneer of the Decade won the opportunity to become part of the book pushing bounadries, that was published as a highlight of 3DPC in the anniversary year 2025.
In the year of the 10th anniversary of the 3D Pioneers Challenge, the time was just right to capture the groundbreaking innovations of the last decade that make an impact and create history. And these stories are written in books. Beside the industry leaders from the platform's network the winner had his say with an exclusive impulse contribution. The book summarizes the major movements and milestones of the decade and draws an outlook for the future - in the spirit of pushing boundaries.
Under the motto "Innovative & Profitable - The Future of Additive Manufacturing", rapid.tech 3D focuesed on practical applications, innovative technologies and forward-looking AM trends. Special 10 years 3D Pioneers Challenge event, including exhibition, panel discussion and awarding Pioneers of the Decades!
Pre-Launch of "The book", exhibition and talk about 10 years 3D Pioneers Challenge whilst the MGA Annual Meeting + Women in AM Summit. MGA, the network for industrial AM in medical and mobility sector.
Publication at International Frankfurter Buchmesse, October 2025
3DPC book launch, at Siemens, get together and presentation of the book to the AM and 3DPC community at Formnext. Meet the editors and co-authors.
Together, AED and the 3D Pioneers Challenge brought international perspectives and visionary projects to Stuttgart, exploring the intersection of digital fabrication, sustainable architecture, and advanced technologies. Inspiring talks by Arthur Mamou-Mani and Ekin Sıla Şahin, followed by a panel discussion and networking, offered fresh perspectives on the Future of Making.



