Ric Fulop

In this bonus episode, Alex and Danny interview Ric Fulop, co-founder and CEO of Desktop Metal. Desktop Metal has recently concluded merger talks with Stratasys after a shareholder vote led to a termination of the deal. In this interview, Ric dives into his motivations for the merger, and shares much of the background context on Desktop Metal’s history with Stratasys, plus other players such as Nano Dimension and 3D Systems. Additionally, Alex and Danny dive into some of the history around Desktop Metal, Ric’s move from VC back into the entrepreneurial world, his thesis for forming Desktop Metal, motivations for the SPAC, and the acquisition strategy thereafter.   0.00: Intros   3.56: Ric’s background and DM’s history   11.20: Development and launch of DMs Production System   15.45: Ric’s move from VC to Founder   17.50: DMs fundraising prior to their SPAC   22.05: The reasons DM listed via a SPAC   26.45: DM’s acquisition strategy and early talks with ExOne   28.07: DMs initial offer to acquire Stratasys in January 2021   31.26: DM’s acquisition of EnvisionTEC and Adaptive3D   34.39: Nano Dimension’s offers to acquire Desktop Metal   38.25: 3D Systems offers put to Stratasys   39.14: Termination of merger with Desktop Metal and Stratasys   40.55: Did Stratasys shareholders make the wrong decision?   45.17: Latest DM financials and cost savings   48.35: Integration strategy of DM of the acquired companies   51.55: What will Nano Dimension, 3D Systems and Stratasys do next?   54.32: Potential for another Desktop Metal merger in future?   55.50: Any future Desktop Metal acquisitions?   57.55: Wrap-up

Ric Fulop, CEO of Desktop Metal, shares his extensive experience in taking companies public, contrasting traditional IPOs with SPACs. He reveals the revolutionary impact of metal 3D printing on industries, discussing its efficiency and design flexibility. Fulop delves into the future of computer-aided design driven by AI, emphasizing sustainability and the transformation of engineering practices. Additionally, he reflects on the emotional journey of navigating the IPO landscape and the rising significance of SPACs in today's financial markets.