A team of four University of Bristol engineering graduates will take 3-D printing to a new level, having gained backing from ‘the world’s first and largest hardware accelerator’: Hax, which is based in Shenzhen, China.

Alex Michaels, Ed Cooper, Jack Pearson and Glen Cahil have gained a place alongside the top 3% of applicants to the Hax Accelerator programme for their invention Omni Invent, a ‘workshop in a box’ that enables users to create ‘smart’ products on demand.

The idea began as an Engineering Design Masters project at the University of Bristol, supported by the Manufacturing Technology Centre. Tasked with improving 3-D printing, the team looked at improving the strength, speed and functionality of the technology. The result was an automated machine that combines manufacturing, assembly and electronics fabrication.

Ed Cooper said: “This project began with the aim of elevating 3-D printing above making crude ‘looks like’ items. Over time, it has grown into the Omni Invent, a desk-top ‘workshop in a box’ that brings together the benefits of printing, assembly and electronics fabrication. We hope it will empower inventors to create custom products without needing a factory or a team of experts.”

After graduating from Bristol, the team was helped by the Jisc Supporting Technology Startups scheme, with six months of business mentorship and pitching opportunities plus £20,000 to develop the product.

Now, Hax will provide investment, comprehensive mentorship and workshop space in Shenzhen. After 111 days in Shenzhen, the team will travel to San Francisco to seek investment at the Hax Demo Day in September. This next round of funding should enable them to launch their product in early 2018.

Dr Paul Harper, a programme director for the Engineering Design course, said: “This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for a team of very talented young engineers. It is great to see what began as an undergraduate project developing into a successful start-up business.”