The desktop 3D printer market may soon look less like a hobby and more like a serious, high-stakes race. Between rumors of mega-investments, changing alliances, and a boom in consumer demand, we could say the market is entering a new, more competitive phase. Unconfirmed reports of a large Tencent-led funding round for Bambu Lab, and the rise of DJI-backed competitors, show just how quickly pressure is building across the prosumer desktop segment. At the center are established hardware veterans, fast-growing newcomers, and engineers with deep experience in robotics, drones, and other precision hardware.

Founded only a few years ago by former engineers of DJI, Bambu Lab has become the leading company in this…

Featured image courtesy of Bambu Lab