Additio d.o.o.

Additio doo – From the first 3D printer to a successful company

When a hobby turns into a business and a home 3D printer into a modern park with more than 50 devices - this is the story of the company ADDITIO doo and its founder Alen Šapka.

Alen began his entrepreneurial journey with 3D printers in 2019, when he began developing his first prototypes in his home garage out of excitement over his first 3D printer. He quickly realized that he could turn his hobby into a business, and in 2022, Additio doo was founded, developing and manufacturing innovative 3D-printed products and services for industrial and personal use.

We talked to Alen about his journey, challenges, and plans for the future.

What were your first steps?

The beginning was very practical – a home space, one printer and countless hours of experimentation. The biggest challenge, however, was not technical, but business: I quickly realized that entrepreneurship does not work by having customers knock on the door. The business model had to be constantly adapted and actively sought out new opportunities.

What was a turning point for you?

The first major breakthrough was when I succeeded with a project with my first industrial partner. Although the project was small at first, it meant a lot to me - it showed that we can transfer technology from the hobby level to an industrial environment. This small step opened big doors for us and confirmed that we were on the right track.

What were the biggest lessons on your journey?

One of the biggest lessons was the realization that a business model should never be taken for granted. If you don't adapt, you quickly become stagnant. At first, I thought that just good technology would be enough, but I realized that understanding the market, customers, and the ability to adapt quickly and continuously is essential.

Where are you today and where are you going tomorrow?

Today we have more than 50 printers, we offer more than 100 different materials and we are a development partner for several major Slovenian and foreign companies. In addition, we also sell equipment and materials. In the next 12 months we want to:

expand operations to foreign markets, first to the DACH region, via a new configurator,
increase the number of printers to more than 100,
successfully start selling their own products created with 3D printing technology.

What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs today?

Start, even if it's just with one printer or a small project. Most importantly, listen to your customers and learn as you go. There is no perfect moment – the journey is what shapes you.

Your motto?

"Progress happens when you put theory into practice and have the courage to persevere even when it's most difficult."

ADDITIO doo is proof that a small idea can become a big story if driven by passion, knowledge and perseverance. In MPIK they found an environment that supports such visionaries – and today they are shaping the future of 3D printing far beyond the borders of Koroška.

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One of my first challenges was very practical - finding a suitable location for an office. I would like to highlight the support of MPIK-a who strives to create a stimulating environment for new entrepreneurs. Such support means a lot at the beginning, as it allows an entrepreneur to focus their energy on developing their idea and business.

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