3D Pioneers Challenge celebrates 10 years of innovation and honours the ‘Pioneer of the Decade’!

The focus of this year's competition was:

"Where did the journey lead? - Looking back at the pioneers of yesteryear and their current impetus for tomorrow."

A central highlight was the anniversary exhibition, in which 33 selected finalist projects were presented - with participants from Israel, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the UK, Austria, Italy and Portugal also travelling to the event. The exhibition was celebrated as one of the highlights of rapid.tech 3D and gave visitors a unique insight into the development of innovative projects and their current relevance for the AM industry.

At the 3DPC exhibition stand, image sequences from the past ten years provided moving moments of remembrance - of innovative projects, inspiring encounters with partners, jury members and companions of the platform.

‘Pioneer of the Decade’: Award ceremony and festive highlight

The highlight of the anniversary was the festive award ceremony. The winners were honoured with the title ‘Pioneer of the Decade’.

Represented by Hadas Oved and Itai Cabilly, the team travelled to Erfurt with their project - a heart 3D-printed entirely from stem cells. The entry is an example of the pioneering combination of technology and human medicine.

Jury statement: "The bio-printed heart marks a turning point in tissue engineering and personalised medicine. With the integration of stem cells and complex, biomimetic structures, this research project demonstrates the enormous potential of additive manufacturing - far beyond prototyping, towards functional, life-saving organs. The DVIR Lab is an innovation hub that is helping to shape a future where technology and human needs come together in a visionary, disruptive and deeply human way."

Following the award ceremony, a very special highlight awaited the guests at the 3D Pioneers Challenge stand: “Print A Drink”, a finalist from 2017 and part of the anniversary exhibition, was on site and printed cocktails live. The innovative combination of technology and taste was not only a source of amazement, but also a celebratory toast-  to ten years of 3DPC and the winners!

On the gala evening of rapid.tech3D in the special ambience of the Steigerwald Stadium, the award winners were once again honoured in the presence of high-calibre guests - including trade fair boss Michael Kynast, former Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee and Thuringia's Minister President Mario Voigt. 

The Dvir Lab was awarded the anniversary 3DPC Trophy - designed by Ross Lovegrove, Hyperganic and Materialise. The winning team will also be part of the ‘pushing boundaries’ book project. The book will be published by avedition Verlag in October 2025 and documents pioneering developments of the last decade and provides a visionary outlook on the future of additive manufacturing. The award winner will be represented in the book with an exclusive contribution.

Insights behind the scenes: Panel discussion with the jury

Before the award ceremony, an interdisciplinary panel discussion with jury members Naomi Nathan (mga e.V.), Karsten Heuser (Siemens Digital Industry) and Dirk Simon (Simon-in-AM-Consulting) provided exciting insights into the work of the jury and the development of the industry.

In a lively round of talks and a packed audience, the panellists discussed the technological milestones of the last ten years, the highlights of the competition entries and the importance of the 3DPC as an international innovation platform. The role of the Challenge as a bridge between young talents, established players and industries was particularly emphasised. The event concluded with a look into the future with the question:

‘In 10 years, thanks to AM we will...’ - the answers ranged from biomedical breakthroughs and more sustainable production methods to the integration of AI in combination with 3D printing in industrial production.

At the end of the anniversary, initiators Simone and Christoph Völcker looked back on a particularly touching edition of the 3DPC: "It was wonderful to see the 3D Pioneers Challenge community come together again in Erfurt - familiar faces from previous years, old and new companions. The personal dialogue, the reunions and the many encounters showed that the platform is alive - thanks to the people who to provide impulses with their ideas to shape the future."

Contact 3D Pioneers Challenge:

Simone Völcker
Phone: +49 (0) 711 658 4499

info@3dpc.io

www.3dpc.io
Follow us: #3DPioneersChallenge
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FACTS

About rapid.tech 3D

Under the motto "Innovative & Profitable - The Future of Additive Manufacturing", rapid.tech 3D focused on practical applications, innovative technologies and pioneering AM trends for three days from 13 to 15 May 2025.

About 3D Pioneers Challenge

The international competition for additive manufacturing processes and advanced technologies is the most prestigious award of its kind. The annual call for entries and presentation of the finalists is regarded as the industry's innovation monitor. Unique in its structure, the competition has been addressing specialists who think outside the box since 2015 - pushing boundaries!

About 3DPC platform

The Challenge has become a platform with a global network and is an interface for creative future makers, pioneers of advanced technologies and innovators from research and industry.

About ‘3DPC & Friends’

Under the umbrella of ‘3DPC & Friends’, 3DPC connects the creative minds and high-tech pioneers of the 3DPC platform on an interdisciplinary basis. This generates innovative, ground-breaking projects in which everyone can contribute and live out their expertise - design rethought! 3DPC is already showing today what will come tomorrow - pushing boundaries.