During the Phase 1 of the SME Instrument Chervona Hvilya has completed the activities set out in the work packages, and achieved a clear understanding on how to move forward with business development and up-scale of the xBeam 3D printing technology on a global level. Following activities have been completed:
1) Market research. It helped to better understand the market trends in additive manufacturing, clearly define the target market for xBeam 3D printing technology, identify users' needs, estimate the size of the market, and define clear value proposition of xBeam in the global market. Main findings:
- Demand for 3D printing is rising rapidly. Moreover, 3D-printing is now applied not only prototyping but also for final part production, and metal AM was the driving force for that;
- Metal 3D printing is expected to grow faster than plastic. Production companies, as well as 3D printing service providers, that are planning to adopt 3D printing in their businesses/production, believe that metal 3D printing technologies have huge potential and are more profitable than 3D printing from other materials;
- 3D printing services are growing faster than sales of the AM systems and equipment. This is mostly because of the very high purchasing costs and operating costs (materials and productivity) of the industrial AM systems, and the complexity of the operation, that requires highly specialized staff.
- All the above mentioned findings prove that xBeam 3D metal printing will have demand in the global market due to the high growth rates of the AM market and also because xBeam will provide solution to the biggest challenges and problems in metal AM.
2) User needs research and analysis. Four target customer groups for xBeam 3D printer were identified. The CEO of Chervona Hvilya Dmytro Kovalchuk attended 4 major AM industry conferences in Germany, USA and China, where he presented xBeam 3D metal printing technology to public. In these conferences Dmytro Kovalchuk could challenge his assumptions, identify his potential customers’ needs and get feedback from industry leaders and potential customers. He made numerous contact with engineers and managers from such companies as GE, Lockheed Martin, NASA and others, as well as professors from the biggest universities and research institutes such as Fraunhofer, University of Bremen, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology and others.
3) IPR Strategy development. Chervona Hvilya researched the patent landscape and conducted freedom to operate analysis for xBeam 3D printing technology. Patents and trademarks applications were submitted in the chosen countries. Finally, the plan for next steps in IPR protection were developed together with specialized lawyers.
4) Business Model and Comprehensive Business Plan. All of the findings were translated into an elaborated Business Plan. Chervona Hvilya, with the help of external experts, developed the business model for xBeam and designed next steps and actions for further implementation of the project. Four main business lines have been identified for Chervona Hvilya: sales of xBeam 3D metal printers in different configurations, research contracts, 3D printing services, and other additional services. The sales plan, financial model and clear market entry strategy were developed, and the funding requirements for further development of the company were calculated.
