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Celebrating 5 Years of Innovation

Celebrating 5 Years of Innovation

June 12, 2017 – By Becca Golliher

Over six years ago, B9Creations Founder Mike Joyce recognized that there was a large gap in the 3D printing industry when it came to quickly producing high-resolution prints with low-cost technology, especially when it came to resin-based printers.

Since then, Joyce’s desire to create this technology has grown into an internationally recognized 3D printer manufacturing company with a network spanning the entire globe.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves; we’ll start at the beginning of Mike’s 3D printing journey.

In the fall of 2011, Mike’s longstanding passion for all things technology, especially the aerospace industry, led him to research the market for an affordable high-resolution desktop printer.

He quickly realized that no one had offered a resin-based printer on the popular crowdfunding website Kickstarter.com, and a dream to create one of his own sprang to life.  

From the fall of 2011 until the spring of 2012, Mike labored endlessly to develop a new type of high- resolution 3D printer and the materials needed to go along with it. After countless hours of perfecting his idea and bringing it to life, he managed to create a working prototype, secure professional vendors to fabricate components, and develop a resin.  

B9Creations
the first prototype

Mike’s next step was to make 10 demo units, test those units, and prove to the 3D printing industry that the machine he had produced was as valuable as he knew it was.

In May of 2012, Mike excitedly launched his first Kickstarter campaign, B9Creator - A High Resolution 3D Printer,  that lasted for 33 days and ended on June 12, 2012. His campaign was an extraordinary success, stunning him by bringing in over half a million dollars when his goal had been to raise $50,000. With rewards for backers ranging from a vote on the color of the 3D printer to a fully assembled and calibrated machine, Mike gained almost 400 backers who would quickly realize how devoted he was to this dream.

Kickstarter
the color scheme options for backers to vote on

Shocked by the sheer volume of support, Mike knew that it would be a long road ahead to create 200 printers in the time promised with only the help of his wife, 2 kids, and a few part time employees.  

For the next 6 months, Mike and his family worked ceaselessly to build and improve the B9Creator and develop a software to manage prints, once even devoting 32 hours straight for coding. Mike’s constant updates to his backers assured them that no roadblock was too difficult to hurdle and that he was making tremendous progress thanks to their support.

Delivering all the printers and resin to his backers on time, Mike did what most other companies using Kickstarter had failed to do.

Backers received their printers and their reviews, even still today, reverberate words of praise and admiration. 

That’s not where the story ends though. 

Mike, fully committed to his creation, knew that there was no way all his efforts would result in a one-and-done company. So, he continued to provide extraordinary support, updates, and commitment to his creation and the people that had made it possible, while continuously exploring other avenues that might make the product and experience better.

A little less than a year later, Mike launched his second Kickstarter, knowing that the platform had served him successfully before. This time, the campaign’s purpose wasn’t only to sell the B9Creator, but also to make new updates available for the original backers.

Now, 5 years after the original Kickstarter, B9Creations has expanded with two new printers, six resins, (check out more on our newest resin, Gray!), and many new employees, with hopes to continue expanding and growing throughout the jewelry, prototyping, and manufacturing industries and beyond.

With the intent to appeal to craftsmen and tinkerers like himself, Mike never dreamed that his products would one day be at the forefront of 3D printing with industry leading speed, simplicity, and value – he had only hoped to make a high-resolution 3D printer that was valuable, affordable, and dependable.

5 years ago today, Mike’s passion led the Kickstarter campaign to a successful close… and today, that same passion continues to inspire employees and customers alike.

Here’s to you, Mike, for 5 years of nonstop dedication to your (one of many) dreams.