It seems that Aniwaa is shutting down.
The popular online service was almost certainly the most accurate database of 3D printers and related products on the Internet. As of this writing, the site provides details for an astonishing 1,472 3D printers, 441 3D scanners, and 154 post-processing devices.
In a post on LinkedIn, CEO and co-founder Martin Lansard writes:
“Earlier this year, I made the difficult decision to shut down Aniwaa.
What started as a side project with my co-founder Pierre-Antoine over 10 years ago grew into a global B2B platform for the additive manufacturing industry. We built a trusted resource that helped professionals navigate the complex world of AM equipment.
But despite our best efforts, we didn’t manage to get enough traction.
After exploring various options, I ultimately made the call to close the company. It was not an easy decision, but it was the right one.”
Lansard has since moved on to join Wohlers Associates, Powered by ASTM, as their new Head of Digital Platforms. His experience with Aniwaa should put him in a good position to take on that role.
For now, the Aniwaa site still appears online, although it’s not clear for how much longer. It’s likely the data is no longer being updated, but for earlier equipment, the information should still be useful for some.
This is obviously disappointing for Lansard and his team, but also for the rest of us. Aniwaa was one of the most useful sites in the 3D print space. It was the go-to place to find obscure equipment and specifications, but evidently, the monetization was not sufficient to proceed.
All of us at Fabbaloo wish Lansard and his team success in their future ventures, and thank them for building Aniwaa so many years ago.
This is a time of change in the 3D print industry, and the end of Aniwaa is a signal of the challenges facing every 3D print company in today’s unpredictable and competitive world.
Via LinkedIn
