Freeform Raises $67M: NVIDIA-Backed Skyfall Platform Promises 25x Faster Metal 3D Printing

$120M Total Funding for AI-Driven Metal AM

Freeform, the California-based AI-native metal 3D printing company, has closed a $67 million Series B funding round led by Founders Fund, with participation from NVIDIA's NVentures, AE Ventures, Linse Capital, Threshold Ventures, and Two Sigma Ventures. The company has now raised over $120 million since emerging from stealth in 2023.

The funding will accelerate deployment of Skyfall, Freeform's next-generation factory platform scheduled to go live in the first half of 2026.

Skyfall: 25x Production Capacity

According to CEO Erik Palitsch, Skyfall represents "the world's fastest laser melting platform," increasing production capacity by 25x compared to conventional systems. The platform integrates AI directly into physical processes, enabling real-time control of industrial lasers for high-precision metal production.

Unlike traditional additive manufacturing, where quality control happens post-build, Freeform's approach uses AI to monitor and adjust parameters during printing. This "Physical AI" enables entirely new classes of products, according to the company.

What Sets Freeform Apart

Freeform's technology addresses several persistent challenges in metal AM:

• Speed — Multi-laser systems with AI coordination dramatically increase throughput
• Quality — Real-time process control eliminates the variability that plagues conventional systems
• Cost — Software-defined factories reduce per-part costs toward production viability

The company says it's already in "continuous production" with mission-critical components being delivered to "the most demanding frontier programs" at "the fastest-growing companies in the world." Industry observers suggest SpaceX and aerospace contractors are among the clients.

The Bigger Picture

The global market for AI in manufacturing is projected to grow at a 35.3% compound annual rate, expanding from $34 billion to over $155 billion by 2030. Freeform's positioning at the convergence of AI and additive manufacturing places it in a strategic position to capture this growth.

NVIDIA's continued investment — first in 2024, now again in this round — signals confidence that AI-native manufacturing represents a fundamental shift, not just incremental improvement.

For the 3D printing industry, Freeform's success suggests that the future belongs to companies that can combine hardware innovation with sophisticated AI control systems.