US based Autodesk has declared that it would invest $100 million (about Rs 614 crore) into 3D printing startups to further the 3D printing revolution. The fund has enthused many startups across the world (including India) and many of them have already applied after the company made the announcement. The Spark Investment Fund will invest in entrepreneurs, startups and researchers to push the boundaries of 3D printing technology and accelerate the new industrial revolution.

Autodesk encourages companies and individuals developing groundbreaking hardware, software, materials, marketplaces and maker spaces to apply for part of the Spark Investment Fund’s investment portfolio.In addition to the financial investment, Spark Investment Fund recipients become part of the Spark partner program and have access to marketing and other developer services available to Spark partners. Many companies from India have already applied to this Spark fund. Applicants include Manipal-based Fracktal works, df3d and Bangalore-based REALiz3D.

“The 3D printer market is at an inflection point,” Pete Basiliere, research vicepresident at Gartner, said in a recent market report, which forecast that shipments of 3D printers will more than double every year between 2015 and 2018, by which time they would exceed 2.3 million. Startups believe the initiative by Autodesk is a smart move of their part.