3D-Printed Figurines are Back in the Spotlight! "Second Life" Completes Tens of Millions in Pre-A Round Financing—The Next Pop Mart?

Pande3dp.com Guide: In 2013, 3D-printed figurines saw a surge in popularity in China, leading to the establishment of dozens of 3D printing studios, some of which burned through millions in funding only to eventually shutter. However, in recent years, 3D-printed figurines and collectible toys have once again become a consumer trend.

On November 10, 2024, it was announced that Hangzhou Second Life Technology Co., Ltd. (hereafter referred to as "Second Life") （杭州第二人生科技有限公司）successfully completed a Pre-A funding round in the tens of millions, led by Daosheng Capital, with the primary objective of expanding store locations and refining AI algorithms and marketing strategies.

According to Panda3dp.com, there are some reasons for the resurgence of 3D-printed figurines:

- The increasing sophistication of full-color 3D printing technology, which now produces lifelike figurines.

- Lowered costs for acquiring and printing portraits.

- The evolving consumer mindset, which has begun to embrace 3D-printed figurines as a novel form of expression.

Currently, Second Life operates multiple brand stores nationwide and has collaborated with several stores abroad, selling thousands of 3D-printed figurines and collectible models each month. The founding team, with roots in 3D technology development since 2013, has served numerous VR projects for real estate companies, participated in 3D visual effects for the Beijing Olympics, and contributed to the VR setup for the China Pavilion at the World Expo.

Panda3dp.com found that Second Life, as showcased in hundreds of short videos, primarily offers custom 3D-printed figurines of people, pets, and collectible toys. "The market for custom 3D-printed figurines alone could reach tens of billions." The technology involved spans 3D scanning, AI model generation, full-color 3D printing, and digital twinning, with the potential for these 3D digital models to serve as digital assets connecting to virtual realms. In addition to figurines, Second Life can print 3D IP-based figurines and collectibles. Professor Lu Bingheng, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a mechanical engineering expert, serves as Second Life’s chief technical expert, with Dr. Nan Zheng as the chief AI algorithm engineer.

△3D Life-Size Figurines Made by an Elderly Couple. Photo Source: Second Life

In 2023, Second Life was featured in CCTV's coverage of events like the Hangzhou Asian Games and the World Internet Conference, where it provided 3D scanning and printing services for athletes.

Second Life’s state-of-the-art 3D photography cabin captures 196 images in an instant, covering all angles in 720 degrees, and reconstructs 3D human and pet models using AI in just 10 minutes, achieving over 95% likeness. These models can be printed as 3D figurines for keepsakes or used as avatars in virtual worlds and games. With new store promotions, prices start as low as 99 CNY, while standard figurines range in price, typically in the hundreds.

△Photo Source: Second Life

Second Life’s in-house algorithm and hardware developments are advancing the TSL-AMRS Intelligent Construction System and the TSL-DTS Digital Twin System, transitioning from synthetic algorithms to a synthesis-generation approach for better model results. This technology has already been marketed in Japan, Singapore, Africa, and other regions.

In 2024, Second Life's business model focuses on opening offline stores, typically in high-traffic locations like malls, to popularize the concept of personalized 3D collectibles, aiming to make custom 3D figurines as commonplace as portrait studios. Customers can choose from passport photos, wedding photos, cosplay, and other tailored scenarios, as the 3D printing concept reaches a wider audience through neighborhood stores.

△The scanned 3D digital humans can be imported into games to serve as game characters

Second Life strives to blend technology and culture, offering a groundbreaking consumer experience that allows individuals to enjoy personalized, high-tech products based on 3D printing, AI algorithms, and digital twin technologies. The company plans to explore even more possibilities in the 3D printing domain.

According to Panda3dp.com, other companies such as Suwa, Sena 3D, and Qizai Elf have introduced similar services.

Postscript

The collectible toy industry is primarily a youth-driven field, with limited awareness among older generations. Domestically, blind box industry leader Pop Mart achieved 6.3 billion CNY in revenue in 2023, with a growth rate of 50% in 2024, and its market cap soared to nearly 100 billion CNY.

Panda3dp.com recalls that in Pop Mart’s early days, few believed in its potential, and investors largely overlooked the opportunity. However, as demand surged, the company went public, proving its doubters wrong. In Panda3dp.com's view, 3D-printed figurines and collectible dolls might just become the customizable "Pop Mart" of the future, marking the rise of a new consumer trend with potential to transform into a massive billion-CNY market.