Crowdfunding Investors Support Startup MyCello to Bring 3D-Printed Instruments to Market

By James White | Sunday, 22 August 2021 | Startup, Art & Music

3D printing allows entrepreneurs to reimagine how products are designed in numerous industries. Recently, 3D printing technology has been used to redesign centuries-old musical instruments. Startup company MyCello is raising funds from crowdfunding investors to help its business produce cellos with 3D printing techniques.

Extending a Successful Campaign

MyCello is currently fundraising for its company on the Indiegogo crowdfunding platform. The newest fundraising campaign for the startup business is acting as an extension of a successful crowdfunding effort on Kickstarter. On the previous crowdfunding platform, investors managed to raise over $18,000 for the company and its 3D-printed instruments.

“Playing cello is my passion,” said Ondrej Kratochvil, creator of MyCello. “I have always wanted to be able to play at home for long hours without disturbing the neighbors or my family. I discovered that there was no such instrument available on the market, so I decided to design one. MyCello is a cello without compromise.”

So far, the extension of the crowdfunding campaign has secured the startup business about $1,000 on top of the funds generated from Kickstarter. MyCello is currently offering its 3D-printed instruments to investors in its company at a discount from its expected retail price of roughly $1,485.

The startup business is now in the production phase thanks to the initial success of its first crowdfunding campaign and is actively working to fulfill orders for its Kickstarter investors. MyCello expects shipping for its Indiegogo investors to begin in November.

3D Printing Musical Instruments

The cello created by the startup business does not look like the usual design used by a typical wooden cello. MyCello is lighter due to the 3D printing material used to manufacture it and much thinner than a traditional cello. However, the startup company did not design its product to replace existing instruments but to afford musicians more flexibility when it comes to playing where and when they want.

MyCello is designed to produce both acoustic and electronic music. Importantly, the device allows musicians to plug in headphones and practice silently when they do not wish to disturb those around them. If musicians want to perform for an audience, the cello can also be plugged into amplifiers to fill a venue. Furthermore, due to the nature of 3D printing manufacturing processes, the startup business can easily customize the size and color of a cello to fit the user’s preferences.

At the Junction of Two Growing Markets

MyCello's unique application of technology has put its company at the junction of two expanding industries: 3D printing and musical instruments. Market research expects the global musical instruments market to grow by nearly $808 million from 2021 to 2025. Likewise, the global 3D printing market is projected to register a massive CAGR of 21% from 2021 to 2028. The industry was valued at $13.78 billion in 2020.

While MyCello is not aiming to replace traditional cellos, the business will likely find itself competing for space in the musical instruments industry alongside existing manufacturers. Competitors in the market include names such as Yamaha, NS Design, and Eastman Strings, among others.

About the Author

James White

James White is a Michigan State University graduate with a BS in Environmental Biology. He is interested in reporting emerging trends in technology, especially with regard to alternative energy and environmental conservation.