Ethical Dilemmas, 7x Revenue Growth, and a Successful Exit in 3D Printing

Blake will share how Essentium grew revenue 7x in one year and ultimately achieved a successful exit to Nexa3D.
About this Event

Building a startup is often glamorized, but what happens when things don’t go as planned? , co-founder and former CEO of Essentium, Inc., will pull back the curtain on the less talked-about aspects of entrepreneurship. Hear how he navigated difficult decisions and addressed ethical challenges when pivoting into defense technologies.

Blake will also share how Essentium grew revenue 7x in one year, built a thriving government business, and ultimately achieved a successful exit to Nexa3D. This session will blend lessons in resilience, strategic pivots, and long-term thinking, offering an honest look at the realities of startup leadership. Whether you’re preparing for growth or navigating challenges, Blake’s story will leave you with invaluable insights on the importance of both ascent and descent in a founder's journey.

Opening Remarks @ 9:30am PT

Join us for opening remarks with Dina Fattom, Member Success Manager at Founders Network, to get the latest updates from the Network and opportunities for getting involved.

Keynote Speaker @ 9:40am PT

Blake Teipel is the former CEO and co-founder of Essentium, Inc., a leading 3D printing technology company. With over 15 years of experience in materials science and engineering, he specialized in additive manufacturing. Blake led Essentium through key challenges, including a failed IPO, restructuring, and ultimately a successful exit to Nexa3D.

Blake holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Texas A&M University and has a background in mechanical engineering. His work spans across various industries, including biomedical and manufacturing technology.

Stage-Based Roundtables @ 10:30am PT

Complimentary Ticket:

Are you a full-time tech founder? Be our guest! We’re making our events available to tech founders everywhere. Enjoy a complimentary ticket to come learn from fellow tech founders, partners and investors. Already used your complimentary guest pass? to see if you qualify for membership.

About Founders Network:

Founded in 2011, Founders Network offers lifelong peer mentorship to over 600 tech startup founders globally. Our platform, programs and high-touch service facilitate authentic experience sharing, warm introductions and long-term professional relationships. Additional benefits include over $500k in startup discounts and promotion to 2,000 newsletter readers. Members are located in San Francisco, New York City, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Toronto, London and other tech hubs. Each month our Membership Committee admits a new cohort of full-time tech founders who are nominated by an existing member. Learn more about us here

Confidentiality Policy

All information shared within Founders Network is strictly confidential. We are built on a foundation of trust, and the community takes confidentiality seriously. Investors, members, and staff all share experiences and opinions off the record. In this roundtable forum, we continue to model our fnValues of Reciprocity, Humility, Authenticity and Inclusivity. Read more about our Privacy Policy here.