Two manufacturing startups raise fresh capital in China, India

Desktop manufacturing startup InfiMaker has raised tens of millions of dollars in a Pre-A+ round led by IDG Capital and Kunlun, Technode reported. The company did not disclose the exact amount.

Separately, Indian manufacturing startup ThinkMetal has secured ₹27 crore ($2.8 million) in a round led by IAN Alpha Fund, with participation from deep-tech investor 3i Partners, according to MSN. The capital will support commercialization of its technology.

The deals follow a string of larger funding rounds in AI-driven manufacturing, including CADDi’s $114 million Series D and D-Robotics’ $400 million Series C, both covered by StartupReader in September. While those rounds pushed valuations into unicorn territory, InfiMaker and ThinkMetal’s raises reflect smaller, earlier-stage bets on hardware startups targeting niche production challenges.

Some investors may see potential in decentralized, small-scale production models, particularly as localized supply chains gain attention. Similarly, startups in regions with growing manufacturing sectors could attract capital as governments and firms seek to expand capabilities. Neither company has appeared in StartupReader’s directory, indicating they remain under the radar for now.

Investors appear willing to back hardware startups despite a broader slowdown in venture funding, as noted in StartupReader’s 21 September coverage. Whether these rounds translate into scalable businesses—or attract follow-on capital—will hinge on execution in an increasingly competitive sector.

Sources: technode.com · msn.com