# Startups, Tariffs & AI: What's Really Shaping the Future of Additive Manufacturing?

- Show: [Additive Snack](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack)
- Published: 2025-04-22
- Length: 34m
- Episode: 7
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2025-04-22-startups-tariffs-ai-whats-really-shaping-the-future-of-additive-manufacturing
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/7e4416cf

## Summary

Arno Held, co-founder and managing partner of AM Ventures, discusses the additive manufacturing landscape with host Fabian Alefeld, highlighting the financial pressures, tariff impacts, and the transformative role of AI. Held explains that application-focused startups like Additive Drives and Conflux Technology are currently outperforming hardware-only ventures, while AI companies such as Euler 3D and Thousand Kelvin are accelerating material qualification and defect detection. He also details the severe refinancing challenges facing early-stage companies due to valuation drops and debt loads, noting a recent uptick in US startup activity despite broader industry turbulence.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2025-04-22-startups-tariffs-ai-whats-really-shaping-the-future-of-additive-manufacturing#t=6) Introduction: Arno Held and AM Ventures
- [1:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2025-04-22-startups-tariffs-ai-whats-really-shaping-the-future-of-additive-manufacturing#t=69) Financial Landscape and Industry Bottom
- [4:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2025-04-22-startups-tariffs-ai-whats-really-shaping-the-future-of-additive-manufacturing#t=248) Political Changes, Tariffs, and Defense Spending
- [7:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2025-04-22-startups-tariffs-ai-whats-really-shaping-the-future-of-additive-manufacturing#t=457) AM Ventures Overview and Startup Trends
- [13:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2025-04-22-startups-tariffs-ai-whats-really-shaping-the-future-of-additive-manufacturing#t=823) The Role of AI in Additive Manufacturing
- [20:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2025-04-22-startups-tariffs-ai-whats-really-shaping-the-future-of-additive-manufacturing#t=1244) Challenges Facing Additive Manufacturing Startups
- [27:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2025-04-22-startups-tariffs-ai-whats-really-shaping-the-future-of-additive-manufacturing#t=1660) Future Outlook and Regional Growth

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- AM Ventures (company)
- Additive Drives (company)
- Conflux Technology (company)
- Euler 3D (company)
- Thousand Kelvin (company)
- EOS (company)
- Vector Flow (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Down at the Doctor's with Dr. Bill Cardoso and Dr. Eric Miscoll: AI Curiosity, Tariff Turmoil, Economic Uncertainty, and Much More](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-03-25-down-at-the-doctors-with-dr-bill-cardoso-and-dr-eric-miscoll-ai-curiosity-tariff) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [The Future of Hardware, Manufacturing Startups, and Industrial Policy with Nick Pinkston (Part 2 of 3)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-10-21-the-future-of-hardware-manufacturing-startups-and-industrial-policy-with-nick-pi) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [PCB East 2025: Exhibitors, AI Trends & Networking Opportunities](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-05-09-pcb-east-2025-exhibitors-ai-trends-networking-opportunities) (OnTrack)
- [Navigating Tariffs, Talent, and Technology: Parting Insights from IPC APEX 2025](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-03-21-navigating-tariffs-talent-and-technology-parting-insights-from-ipc-apex-2025) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [That SCOOPshow - Season 6, Productronica 2021 - Valentin Storz, Nano Dimension](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2021-11-11-that-scoopshow-season-6-productronica-2021-valentin-storz-nano-dimension) (EMS@C-LEVEL)

## Citing this page

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