03-14-2017: Snapmaker launched its Kickstarter campaign
It opened the door to a major international career
On March 14, 2017, Shenzhen-based Snapmaker started a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for the development of a modular 3D printer that combined 3D printing, laser engraving, and CNC milling. While the device itself was not groundbreaking in terms of functionality (as seen with the Polish Zmorph), its pricing was highly innovative—just $299 for the standalone 3D printing module and $449 for the full set (3D printing, laser, and CNC). This proved to be a massive success! Within the first 24 hours, Snapmaker raised over $100,000. The total funding eventually exceeded $2.2 million.
Snapmaker was founded on June 1, 2016, in Shenzhen, China, by Daniel Chen. Chen aimed to develop a compact, modular device that combined three technologies—3D printing, laser engraving, and CNC machining—into one easy-to-use product. In 2016, the team began working on a prototype.
Snapmaker’s crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter was launched on March 14, 2017, and ended on April 28, 2017. The campaign’s funding goal was set at $50,000 to cover the production costs of the first batch of devices. Snapmaker offered different pledge levels, with the basic package priced at $299 for the 3D printing module and the full set (3D printing, laser, and CNC) available for $449. These prices were significantly lower than competing solutions on the market, making them one of the campaign’s key selling points.
The campaign was an immediate success. Within the first 24 hours, Snapmaker raised over $100,000—doubling its original goal. By the end of the campaign, Snapmaker had raised $2,277,182 from 5,050 backers, making it one of the most successful crowdfunding campaigns in the technology category at the time. The project exceeded its funding goal by more than 4,500%.
The funds raised allowed the company to begin full-scale production. Snapmaker partnered with local suppliers in Shenzhen, enabling large-scale component manufacturing. The first 3D printers reached backers by the end of 2017, though with slight delays—common for crowdfunding campaigns.
Two years later, in October 2019, Snapmaker launched another crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter for the Snapmaker 2.0, which introduced three models: the A150, A250, and A350. These models featured larger build volumes, improved precision, and enhanced features compared to the original Snapmaker. The Snapmaker 2.0 campaign raised over $7.85 million, making it the second most-funded 3D printer on Kickstarter.
Today, Snapmaker is a globally recognized and award-winning 3D printer manufacturer.
Source: www.kickstarter.com
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