Lucas Hoffman

Lucas Hoffman has dedicated his career to additive manufacturing since working as a mechanical engineer at Stratasys in the early days of 3D printing. His engineering degree from Georgia Tech and years developing industrial 3D printing systems give him deep understanding of different additive technologies, materials science, and the applications where additive manufacturing offers genuine advantages over traditional production. Lucas watched the industry cycle through hype, disappointment, and gradual maturation into production applications. After earning his MBA from MIT Sloan, he joined an industrial technology investment firm to analyze 3D printing companies. Lucas excels at distinguishing between hype and reality, evaluating which technologies and applications have sustainable economics. He understands polymer versus metal printing, different process technologies (FDM, SLA, SLS, DMLS), and the total cost considerations beyond just machine prices. Lucas was realistic about how long production adoption would take while identifying companies with defensible positions in valuable niches. His analysis covers equipment manufacturers, materials suppliers, and service bureaus. He evaluates technological capabilities, addressable markets, and whether 3D printing can truly transform manufacturing or remain a specialized tool. Based in Detroit, Lucas maintains connections across automotive and aerospace—industries driving additive adoption.