Novenda Technologies, a startup leveraging AI agents for pharmacy automation, has announced $6.1 million in funding. This investment, led by Glasswing Ventures and Core Innovation Capital, aims to transform dental product manufacturing using their multi-material 3D printing technology. This solution aims to make high-quality, aesthetic, accessible, and affordable dental care a reality for the nearly 3.5 billion people worldwide who struggle with oral diseases.
Founded in 2019 by Klaas Wiertzema, Petra Doelman, and Joost Anne Veerman, Novenda developed its proprietary multi-material 3D printing technology after extensive market research and collaboration with dental professionals. By 2021, their first printer was operational, achieving multi-material prints with their unique software and materials. This led to a successful proof of concept for nightguards and dentures in 2023.
Novenda’s full-stack technology enables the creation of more comfortable, natural-looking dental products that combine hard and soft materials in a single piece, a significant departure from traditional manual assembly. Their platform seamlessly combines multiple materials in one print run, using water-soluble supports. Crucially, their smart print modes achieve precise layer control without mechanical rollers, overcoming limitations of competing systems.
The platform’s impact is already evident through its innovative color management algorithm, offering unlimited color possibilities while maintaining superior mechanical properties. The system can produce up to 15 nightguards and 8 dentures per hour, making it ideal for mid-sized and large dental labs. While the LD100 printer is a one-time investment, it exclusively uses Novenda’s materials, ensuring quality and biocompatibility while generating recurring revenue.
Novenda’s solution arrives as the dental industry shifts towards digital workflows and centralized manufacturing, where their automated platform will have a substantial impact. The company’s team of fifteen experts in physics, chemistry, material science, and software engineering are protected by multiple patents, with more in development. Early industry feedback has been exceptionally positive, praising the surface finish and aesthetic appearance of Novenda’s nightguards.
Looking ahead, Novenda plans to expand its platform to other dental applications and eventually enter new markets requiring individualized mass manufacturing. Their immediate focus is on deploying their high-throughput, automated solution in large and mid-sized dental labs across Europe and the U.S.
KEY QUOTES:
“The combination of water-soluble support and the absence of mechanical interventions to compensate for imprecisions ensures unprecedented long-term accuracy and eliminates the need for extensive post-processing. This is particularly important in a world where dental technicians are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive.”
“Having an idea for a disruptive technology is just the beginning. Realizing this vision requires the right people, the right drive, and the right team spirit. At Novenda, we don’t just say that people are our most important asset – we live it. We are deeply committed to fostering a culture that stimulates and supports our team, ensuring that every member is motivated and empowered to achieve the extraordinary. This drive for excellence is reflected in our approach to providing customers with the most reliable and user-friendly printers, combined with the best support they could wish for.”
Klaas Wiertzema, CEO and co-founder of Novenda Technologies
“As lead investor, Brightlands Venture Partners is proud to support Novenda Technologies in this next phase of growth. Their multi-material jetting technology is a breakthrough in digital dentistry, enabling scalable, high-precision manufacturing with minimal waste and post-processing. This innovation not only sets a new quality standard for dental products but also enhances affordability of dental care for patients that are unable to afford alternatives currently available in the market. This will ultimately drive the transformation of the dental industry towards a more sustainable and equitable future.”
Olga Goor, Investment Manager at Brightlands Venture Partners
“At KBC Focus Fund, we invest in deep-tech companies that push the boundaries of innovation, and Novenda is a prime example of this. Their groundbreaking multi-material jetting technology has the potential to transform the dental industry by enabling cost-effective, high-quality production of dental products with minimal waste and post-processing. We are excited to support Novenda in this next phase of growth as they bring their pioneering solutions to market and redefine digital dentistry.”
Nuno Carvalho, Investment Director at KBC Focus Fund
