We regret to inform our community about a significant change regarding the Shapeways marketplace. Unfortunately, the marketplace will not continue operating in its previous format beyond July 2024. We understand this news has created considerable challenges for our dedicated shop owners and their valued customers, and we sincerely apologize for the disruption. This update explains the circumstances leading to this difficult decision and provides resources for further information regarding Shapeways 3d Printing services.
In July 2024, Shapeways Inc. faced severe financial difficulties, resulting in the company filing for bankruptcy. However, in November 2024, a new chapter began as the management team of the Eindhoven factory, along with two original Shapeways founders who have been uninvolved for over a decade, reunited to revitalize the company. This new team successfully acquired the available Shapeways intellectual property assets. Regrettably, the marketplace data was irretrievably lost during the bankruptcy proceedings and was not recoverable. Furthermore, the technology underpinning the marketplace was outdated and lacked the scalability needed for future growth. These combined factors, unfortunately beyond our control, make it impossible to relaunch the marketplace in its original form.
Despite this setback, we remain committed to the core concept of Shapeways Shops and are actively exploring innovative approaches to provide a replacement service for the Shapeways 3D printing community. Developing a viable alternative will require time and careful consideration, and we appreciate your patience as we navigate this process.
To ensure we develop the best possible solution, we are forming a small advisory group comprised of former shop owners. If you are interested in contributing your expertise and insights to shape the future of Shapeways 3D printing services, we encourage you to contact us at [email protected].
For a comprehensive overview of the recent developments at Shapeways and what you can expect moving forward, please refer to our recent Press Release. To learn more about our new CEO, Marleen Vogelaar, and her vision for the future of Shapeways 3D printing, you can read her letter to our community here. If you have specific questions regarding the marketplace, including account data and order statuses for orders placed before the bankruptcy, please consult our FAQ. For any further inquiries not addressed in these documents, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Finally, to stay informed about future Shapeways announcements and updates, we invite you to join our mailing list.
