11-06-2014: Y Soft acquired a 51% stake in be3D
It was the first Czech manufacturer to gain international recognition
On November 6, 2014, Czech software company Y Soft invested in be3D, acquiring 51% of its shares. be3D was the first Czech 3D printer manufacturer to achieve international fame (Prusa Research was still in its early, open-source garage phase). In the years following the acquisition, be3D developed educational 3D printing solutions that complemented Y Soft’s offerings.
It may seem unbelievable today, but the first Czech manufacturer to achieve global recognition on 3D printing market was not Prusa Research...
Founded in 2013 by David Miklas, be3D made its international debut in the fall of 2013 at the 3D Printshow in London and Euromold in Frankfurt, where it attracted attention with its compact DeeOrange printer. Over the next year, the company introduced two additional 3D printers—the DeeGreen, an upgraded version of the DeeOrange, and the semi-professional DeeRed.
From the outset, be3D’s printers stood out for their sleek, compact design, distinguishing them from competing products. Among the first desktop 3D printers on the market, they featured a color touchscreen, a closed build chamber, and a dedicated, lockable filament compartment. These features placed be3D's models far ahead of their time in terms of functionality, as the market was still dominated by fairly rudimentary, open structures based on the RepRap project.
Unfortunately, there was a significant downside—the print quality and reliability of be3D’s printers left much to be desired. Users found the printers prone to malfunctions, which hindered the overall experience.
Y Soft, founded in 2000 by Václav Muchna, is a tech company focused on 2D printing and document management solutions. Its YSoft SafeQ software became an industry standard in large enterprises, and by 2009, Y Soft had expanded its presence to the U.S.
The investment in be3D enabled Y Soft to enter the emerging 3D printing market. Y Soft’s support accelerated be3D’s development, and Miklas hoped that the combined experience of both companies would lead to the globalization of be3D’s products and significant sales growth. However, challenges soon emerged—Miklas left the company in 2016 and has since moved on to a different field.
After acquiring its stake in be3D, Y Soft focused on integrating 3D printing technology with its existing solutions. The company prioritized the development of 3D printing for educational purposes, with the BE3D brand offering the eDee 3D printer and the BE3D Academy platform, specifically designed to meet school needs. The system includes the SafeQ management software, enabling controlled print environments and user-friendly educational tools.
Source: www.ysoft.com