Charles R. Goulding and Preeti Sulibhavi consider how TDK Ventures is doubling down on advanced tech—especially 3D printing—as it launches a new fund to back the next wave of hardware startups.
In April 2025, TDK Ventures, the venture capital arm of Japanese electronics manufacturer TDK Corporation, announced the launch of a new US$150 million fund aimed at investing in early- to mid-stage technology startups. TDK Corporation reported consolidated net sales of US$147 million and employed roughly 101,453 people globally for fiscal year 2024.
These startups include those developing hardware, a sector particularly vulnerable to tariffs imposed under the Trump administration. Despite these risks, TDK Ventures President Nicolas Sauvage emphasized that while supply chain risks will be considered, they won’t dominate investment decisions.
The fund will focus on sectors aligned with TDK’s interests, such as robotics, AI, agriculture, manufacturing, and data-center technology. TDK Ventures plans to invest in up to 25 startups over three years, offering initial checks up to USUS$5 million and a cap of US$15 million per company. Since its founding in 2019, TDK Ventures has grown to manage US$500 million in assets and has backed 44 companies, nearly half of which have ties to its parent company.
TDK’s presence at CES 2025 underscored its commitment to innovation. The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is a premier global event where companies showcase cutting-edge technologies. For the 3D printing industry, CES serves as a platform to unveil advancements that can revolutionize manufacturing processes.
3D printing plays a pivotal role in manufacturing electronic hardware in several ways:
- Prototyping: Rapid prototyping of electronic components allows for quicker design iterations. For instance, Formlabs’ SLA printers enable the creation of detailed prototypes for consumer electronics.
- Custom Enclosures: 3D printing facilitates the production of custom enclosures for electronic devices, allowing for tailored designs that meet specific requirements.
- Component Manufacturing: Additive manufacturing can produce complex components like heat sinks or antenna structures that are challenging to create with traditional methods.
TDK has integrated additive manufacturing into its operations in various ways:
- Sensor Prototyping: Utilizing 3D printing to develop prototypes of sensors, enabling faster testing and refinement.
- Custom Fixtures: Creating custom jigs and fixtures for manufacturing processes, improving efficiency and precision.
- Component Development: Employing additive manufacturing to develop components with complex geometries that are difficult to achieve through traditional manufacturing.
- Investment in Fabric8Labs for Metal Additive Manufacturing
TDK Ventures has invested in Fabric8Labs, a company specializing in metal additive manufacturing. Fabric8Labs’ technology enables the production of complex metal components with micron-level precision, which is crucial for applications in electronics and sensors. This investment suggests TDK’s interest in leveraging advanced AM techniques for developing intricate components that are challenging to produce using traditional methods.
5. Partnership with Origin for Photopolymer 3D Printing
TDK Ventures also partnered with Origin, a company known for its photopolymer 3D printing technology. Origin’s platform allows for the production of high-resolution parts suitable for various applications, including electronics. This collaboration indicates TDK’s pursuit of versatile AM solutions to enhance its manufacturing capabilities.
6. Utilization of Additive Manufacturing in Power Supply Components
TDK-Lambda, a TDK Group company, has acknowledged the benefits of additive manufacturing in producing components for power supplies. AM offers advantages such as weight reduction, rapid prototyping, and the ability to create complex designs, which are essential for developing efficient power supply units.
The R&D Center Europe – one of several TDK research centers worldwide – focuses on the development of applications and systems for automotive and industrial electronics applications. Meanwhile the Process Innovation Center, which is also based on the site, is dedicated to ramping up and coordinating expertise in key technologies such as robotics and Industry 4.0. On 3D printers, engineers create prototypes for the research and development departments, including those at other sites. Another current focus is on developing self-driving robots to forge efficient links between different production processes.
The TDK site in Deutschlandsberg has 50 successful years behind it. During this time, the plant has accumulated continuous knowledge and experience in electronic components and launched a stream of innovations on the market. Today, it is well established as a development and production hub within the TDK Group – a byword for technical competence in 3D printing, electroceramics, robotics, and Industry 4.0.
The Research & Development Tax Credit
The now permanent Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credit is available for companies developing new or improved products, processes and/or software.
3D printing can help boost a company’s R&D Tax Credits. Wages for technical employees creating, testing and revising 3D printed prototypes are typically eligible expenses toward the R&D Tax Credit. Similarly, when used as a method of improving a process, time spent integrating 3D printing hardware and software can also be an eligible R&D expense. Lastly, when used for modeling and preproduction, the costs of filaments consumed during the development process may also be recovered.
Whether it is used for creating and testing prototypes or for final production, 3D printing is a great indicator that R&D Credit-eligible activities are taking place. Companies implementing this technology at any point should consider taking advantage of R&D Tax Credits.
Conclusion
TDK’s long-term view and commitment to 3D printing are impressive. They are not allowing current tariff policies and supply chain disruptions to constrain their long-term goals.
