Munich Startup: What does Micro Factory do? What problem do you solve?
Alexander Stieren: Micro Factory develops high-precision, resin-based 3D printers that automate the entire printing process and protect users from the risks of the process. Our goal is to be able to map all development steps from the first prototypes to series production with our Micro Factory, more quickly, easily and flexibly than ever before. One click in our software and the parts are automatically ejected from our printer a few hours later.
Munich Startup: But that already exists!
Alexander Stieren: Not really: normally the printing process consists of three steps, all of which the user has to perform individually and comes into contact with highly toxic substances. Our approach combines automation with integrated safety mechanisms to fully control the process and minimize user exposure. Thanks to our innovative technology, we offer a unique solution that is not available on the market in this form. And in a handy desktop format.
Micro Factory: From the student workshop to your own company
Munich Startup: What is your founding story?
Alexander Stieren: As founders, we met a few years ago in the university’s C.Lab, an open workshop by and for students. There, we often had to deal with SLA printers and saw the disadvantages of the existing solutions. At some point, we sat down together and thought about how we could solve these problems and that’s how Micro Factory was born.
Munich Startup: What have been your biggest challenges so far?
Alexander Stieren: One of the biggest challenges, apart from the technology itself, is the German bureaucracy. From the company structure, employee registrations with health insurance companies, negotiations with the mini-job center to simple orders from subsidies, an incredible amount of time and money is spent on processes that do not provide any direct added value for the product.
Munich Startup: Where would you like to be in one year, where would you like to be in five years?
Alexander Stieren: In a year’s time, we would like to be firmly established as a manufacturer of 3D printers in the dental and audiology industry and have entered into our first major partnerships. In the long term, in five years’ time, we see ourselves as the market leader in the field of automated SLA printers and plan to expand our technology to other sectors.
Munich is a dynamic and supportive location
Munich Startup: How have you experienced Munich as a startup location so far?
Alexander Stieren: Munich is a dynamic and supportive location for startups. The city offers a variety of networking events and access to experienced mentors and investors. The cooperation with UnternehmerTUM and the TUM Venture Labs, which support us with constant feedback, was particularly valuable for us. Overall, Munich is an excellent location for founding and growing a startup.
Munich Startup: Outsource or do it yourself?
Alexander Stieren: Definitely do it yourself first! As a founding team that developed from a workshop for makers, it is very important to us to develop and build as many of our machines as possible ourselves first, so that we can find errors and innovation potential as quickly as possible. Of course, we also rely on experienced external partners for issues such as accounting and legal advice.
