In a significant development for the 3D printing community, MyMiniFactory (MMF) has announced its acquisition of Thingiverse, the world’s oldest and largest 3D printing file-sharing platform. Originally launched by MakerBot in 2008, Thingiverse holds a vast repository with over 2.5 million digital designs and more than 8 million users.
Background: The Journey of Thingiverse
Thingiverse started as an open-source community project aimed to provide a printer-agnostic space for makers to share and store digital 3D printing designs. Over the years, the platform changed hands several times: in 2013, Stratasys acquired it by purchasing MakerBot, and then in 2022 ownership transitioned to Ultimaker following its merger with MakerBot.
During these years, the platform experienced notable challenges. Post-Stratasys acquisition, users saw declining functionality with broken search features, disappearing thumbnails, and buggy customizer tools. Matters worsened after a 2021 data breach, leading many users to abandon their accounts for more secure alternatives.
MyMiniFactory’s Acquisition and Vision
MyMiniFactory has acquired 100% ownership of Thingiverse from Ultimaker, along with responsibility for its operation and digital overhaul. Unlike other file-sharing sites operated as perks by 3D printer manufacturers, MMF, founded in London in 2012, focuses on curation and guaranteeing printability. Every file on MMF is reviewed and vetted by humans prior to publication, ensuring quality and reliability.
The SoulCrafted Initiative
Thingiverse will join MyMiniFactory as a “SoulCrafted” company while staying a standalone platform. SoulCrafted, launched by MMF in 2025, emphasizes human-made designs, curation, and a sustainable economic ecosystem benefiting digital artists.
Rees Calder, newly appointed Chief Marketing Officer of Thingiverse, highlighted this transition in an interview, framing it as a choice about the future of the internet. Romain Kidd, Thingiverse’s new CEO, expressed concern over the proliferation of AI-generated content, which threatens the livelihoods of human creators. SoulCrafted and the renewed Thingiverse aim to be safe havens where human creativity is valued and protected.
Impact on the 3D Printing Community
MyMiniFactory has championed creator-first economic models, already distributing over $100 million directly to its community. Nearly a million paying customers support thousands of independent creators running small businesses on MMF.
With the acquisition, MMF plans to reinvigorate Thingiverse by restoring its functionality and reinforcing its role as a trusted platform for genuine human-made 3D designs, especially important in an era where AI-generated content is ubiquitous.
Conclusion
MyMiniFactory’s acquisition of Thingiverse marks a pivotal moment to preserve and nurture human creativity in digital 3D design. By integrating Thingiverse under the SoulCrafted initiative, MMF aims to build a sustainable, curated platform protecting creators’ livelihoods amid rising AI-generated content challenges. This move is welcomed by many in the community who seek secure, dependable spaces to share and discover 3D printing files with confidence.
