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Protolabs Network

Protolabs Network, (formerly 3D Hubs), is a B2B online manufacturing marketplace that provides businesses on-demand access to a global network of more than 250 manufacturing partners. It is part of Protolabs’ global manufacturing services, offering 3D printing, CNC machining, injection molding and sheet metal fabrication.

Founded as "3D Hubs", and later renamed "Hubs", it was acquired by Protolabs in 2021, and is primarily used by designers and engineers. In 2024, it renamed the platform Protolabs Network.

Company

Protolabs Network was founded in Amsterdam in April 2013, as 3D Hubs, by Bram de Zwart and Brian Garret, with Filemon Schöffer.[1] In 2021, it was the world's largest peer-to-peer network of 3D printing services.[2]

In January 2021, Minnesota-based Protolabs, a publicly traded custom part manufacturer, acquired the company for $280 million in cash and stock, plus $50 million for reaching targets based on performance.[1] The subsidiary then rebranded to Hubs.[3] In January 2024, Hubs again rebranded, as Protolabs Network.[4]

Protolabs’ technology-enabled factories in the US and Europe integrate more than 250 vetted manufacturers.[5]

Industry reports and initiatives

The company releases regular reports on leading trends and developments within the manufacturing industry, including the 3D Printing Trend Report and the Supply Chain Resilience Report.[6][7][8]

Hubs sponsors a yearly student grant that supports engineering students in the development of innovative projects.[9] In 2020, Hubs launched the COVID-19 Manufacturing fund, to help fund and manufacture vital protective equipment such as face shields for hospitals in need during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.[10][11]

Awards

  • In 2014, Wired UK named 3D Hubs Startup of the Week.[12]
  • In 2018, 3D Hubs won the Dutch market challenger award by Sprout.[13]
  • In 2019 and 2020, Hubs was named amongst the Deloitte Fast 50 list of fastest growing technology companies in the Netherlands.[14][15]
  • In 2020, 3D Hubs CEO Bram de Zwart was named in Business Insider's list of 100 leaders transforming business in Europe.[16][17]

See also

  • 3D Printing
  • 3D Printing Marketplace

References

  1. 15 Amsterdam-based startups that got acquired in 2021 - Silicon Canals 2021-12-23, retrieved 2026-01-19^
  2. Madeleine P. 3D Hubs and Protolabs Want to Create the World's Largest Manufacturing Package 3Dnatives, 2021-03-02, retrieved 2026-01-19^
  3. Michael Molitch-Hou. Upon Protolabs Acquisition, 3D Hubs Becomes “Hubs” 3DPrint.com, 2021-05-11, retrieved 2026-01-19^
  4. Paul Demery. Protolabs rebrands its digital manufacturing network Digital Commerce 360, 2024-01-12, retrieved 2026-01-19^
  5. Protolabs Network (Hubs) vs Xometry: The Differences All3DP, 2024-02-20, retrieved 2026-01-20^
  6. Laura Griffiths. 40% of online 3D printed parts in 2019 were for serial production says 3D Hubs TCT Magazine, 2020-01-30, retrieved 2020-12-16^
  7. Greg Nichols. 2020 predictions: 5 telling trends in 3D printing ZDNet, retrieved 2020-12-16^
  8. Industry Today. Supply Chain Resilience Report 2020 Industry Today, 2020-08-10, retrieved 2020-12-16^
  9. Winners: 2019 3D Hubs Student Grant « Fabbaloo Fabbaloo, 2019-07-17, retrieved 2020-12-16^
  10. 3D Hubs launches COVID-19 Manufacturing Fund to facilitate production of medical equipment Tech.eu, retrieved 2020-12-16^
  11. How startups are supporting Europe's coronavirus efforts Sifted, retrieved 2020-12-16^
  12. WIRED. Startup of the Week: 3D Hubs Wired UK, 2014-09-12, retrieved 2020-12-16^
  13. 3D Hubs wint de Challenger50 van 2018 MT/Sprout, 2018-11-22, retrieved 2020-12-16^
  14. Technology Fast 50 2020: The nominees Deloitte Netherlands, retrieved 2020-12-16^
  15. Deloitte Technology Fast 50 2019: deze snelst groeiende technologiebedrijven maken kans Deloitte Netherlands, retrieved 2020-12-16^
  16. Transforming Business Transforming Business, retrieved 2020-12-16^
  17. Transforming Business Transforming Business, retrieved 2020-12-16^