Amsterdam-based startup 3D Hubs closed the best startup deal of the year. The jury of the NextStage and Emerce election chose the print service out of five finalists during a grand finale on Thursday afternoon.
3D print service 3D Hubs raised 4.5 million dollars in a Series A round led by renown UK VC firm Balderton Capital. The winner will be taken on a startup trip to New York City or London.
“This is the kind of deal that has the envy-factor”, said Edwin Hengstmengel of VC firm Van den Ende & Deitmers and chairman of the jury. “We all agreed that we would have wanted to close this one.”
The jury was looking for deals in 2014 and 2015 of companies no older than five years. Opinions of investors Erik Aeyelts, Michiel de Vries, Edwin Hengstmengel, Floris van Alkemade, Johan van Mil and Frank Maene were combined with a public poll.
3D Hubs founders Brian Garret and Bram de Zwart are using the investment to accelerate the company’s international expansion. Last year an office was opened in the United States to connect people all over the world to local 3D printers.
“Balderton is one of the best VC firms in the world and is also able to fund us in next rounds”, said Brain Garret.
The other finalists included:
- Snappcar. The car sharing platform with a crowdfunding record of over half a million euros.
- The Cloakroom. The online personal shopping startup announced a 1.2 million euros funding round last year.
- Fitmo. The fitness app raised 1.2 million euros.
- Iceleads. This e-commerce sales optimalization startup secured 3 million euros from Vortex Capital Partners.