From garage prototype to exporting to U.S.: how Ukrainian company created 3D construction printer

3D printing in construction is still a novelty in Ukraine, even though it has been used globally for years. The Ukrainian company 3D UTU, led by founder and CEO Inna Furman, has launched what she describes as a revolution in Ukraine's construction sector, pioneering an industry previously non-existent in the local market.

Furman's team developed a fully Ukrainian-made printer that is currently more affordable and, in some cases, surpasses foreign counterparts in technical features. A few of these printers have already been sold abroad, including to the United States. LIGA.net spoke with the company's founder about the journey to creating this device.

Early days: successes, challenges, and the power of belief

Inna Furman studied law by choice, driven by a desire to understand her rights thoroughly. She actively engaged in civic activities as a student, working with the Kyiv City State Administration (KCSA) to help students secure internships.

"One of my responsibilities was establishing connections with legal firms and government institutions to assist students in finding internships," Furman recalls.

She remembers dreaming of working at KCSA but was met with a sobering reality.

"I used to pass by the administration building, looking at the flowers on the windowsills, thinking I'd soon be part of this system. But when I started working there, I realized the flowers were artificial, and the reality was completely different. It was a moment of disappointment, like in a fairy tale where the king turned out to be naked—a moment of disillusionment that led to a pivotal decision during my studies," Inna says.

After this experience, Furman decided to start her own business. Together with like-minded individuals, she founded an electrical installation company that specialized in interior work for new buildings.

"In my third year, we started studying investment law. I remember seeing a book on investing. It cost almost my entire weekly student budget. But I bought it. That book now sits in my office as a symbol of my first investment in my future," Furman shares.

Her first investments, made with a partner, were used to rent an office in Kyiv's Podil district. Their team initially consisted of four people: her partner, who was also the lead technical expert, an estimator, an accountant, and Furman herself. Her role was to find and negotiate projects.

"Our first major project was a residential complex on Kyiv's right bank. The contract was worth 4.5 million hryvnias ($928,000)—a significant amount in 2008. Although we worked with top specialists, we somehow made no profit. It turned out that my partner had received two apartments in the project, while I gained valuable experience on how NOT to do business. This was my first major lesson: don't work in a field you're not fully competent in, and carefully choose your partners," she recalls.

After three successful years, Furman's company continued without her involvement. She joined Fenix Group, where she worked on development and managed construction projects.

This experience deepened her understanding of every stage of construction, enabling her to avoid future mistakes. With a growing desire for her own business, she founded a legal and consulting company to assist construction firms. However, the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022 drastically altered her plans. High-rise construction came to a halt, and she began volunteering, coordinating humanitarian aid at the border and ensuring its delivery to the front lines.

The war brought personal challenges as well. Furman went through a divorce, partly due to a lack of support for her dreams and plans, including her vision for 3D construction. In 2022, she connected with a company from Sumy that had developed Ukraine's first 3D printer for construction.

The team relocated to Kyiv, where Furman made her first investment, paying off the company's debts. Initially, she had a business partner, but their paths eventually diverged. With a clear vision for advancing the technology in Ukraine and abroad, Furman decided to acquire the entire company.

One of their first major projects was building a charitable home in Irpin for the family of a soldier who had died at the front. Furman funded most of the construction herself. Initially, she tried to involve her acquaintances, but many didn't believe in this project and considered it an adventure.

"My mother was the first to support me with $300, which was a crucial signal that I was on the right path," Furman says.

For this project, the team developed a second prototype of their 3D printer, tailored for constructing the house. All the software solutions, including the Slicer program, were created over several years.

"My rule is simple: before making a decision, I ask myself, 'Why not?' If I don't find reasons against it, I go for it," Furman explains.

Her team is now shaping the rules for Ukraine's 3D printing industry, which will serve as a foundation for its future growth. "Do I realize that our work is paving the way for others? Absolutely. Am I afraid of competition? No. We're creating the future, and that's what matters."

Developing a revolutionary product

"I've been in construction for 14 years, and I know that the biggest challenge for developers is people. While they are a great asset, they also pose significant risks. Today, the labor shortage is so severe that finding qualified workers—or any workers at all—is incredibly difficult," Furman notes.

Drawing from her experience, Furman realized that Ukrainian developers needed a comprehensive solution to minimize risks, reduce labor costs, and accelerate construction processes. The answer was a 3D construction printer.

It took four years to develop the printer. The first prototype was built in a garage. From the beginning, the project was driven by a team of young Ukrainian engineers—"brilliant minds," as Furman calls them. This enabled the creation of a fully functional, innovative, and affordable product.

"We are the first team that printed a house and put it into operation. We created the precedent in Ukraine," emphasizes Inna.

The company founder says that she has repeatedly faced skepticism.

"When I say in interviews that we are the first and only ones in Ukraine who developed a 3D printer, I often get comments that this isn't true, since the first structure was printed by a Ukrainian printer in Sumy Oblast. Well, friends, we are that team that made its first attempt at 3D printing in 2020," says Furman.

The second prototype of the printer, which the company patented, is a unique development from scratch. The printer was created using proprietary software solutions. In particular, they developed the Slicer software that adapts architectural projects for printing.

"This Slicer program helps adapt a regular project for 3D printing. That is, we created not one product, but three: the printer, the software, and the Slicer," explains the founder.

The software "slices" the project created by an architect in ArchiCAD or AutoCAD programs, converting it into data needed for printing. This allows automating and simplifying the process of creating buildings.

Sales and competitiveness in the global market

Printers from 3D UTU have already gained recognition beyond Ukraine.

"We've already sold several printers and continue very active negotiations with developers who build worldwide," says Furman.

An example is cooperation with American customers. One of the purchased 3D printers will be used to print artificial reefs and products for the military sector. Customers from the United States personally visited Ukraine to verify the quality of our printer.

"These are probably some of the few customers who risked coming to Ukraine, saying, 'We want to make sure you really exist.' When they saw our printer, their first reaction was, 'Wow, there's nothing here to break.' And their second reaction, after we printed samples, was, 'Can it be not so beautiful? Because the fish won't sue,'" Inna recalls with a smile.

Moreover, the company owner who purchased the printer admired the design and planning of the house printed in Ukraine. He said, "Please give me the project; I want to print exactly the same one in Florida."

Demand for Ukrainian developments is also growing in Europe. In particular, a company from Montenegro purchased a printer for implementing a project to construct four-story buildings.

3D UTU follows a temporary dumping strategy in the international market as it understands how difficult it is for a Ukrainian product to win its place under the sun.

"Temporary price dumping doesn't mean we're giving up positions to international manufacturers in terms of quality. This is our strategy as we're creating our blue ocean in the 3D technology business," explains Furman.

Additionally, the Ukrainian printer stands out due to its manufacturing speed – six months. According to Inna Furman, the printer's payback period depends on the market where it's used and the specifics of the construction season.

"We calculated that the printer's payback period starts at four years, considering Ukrainian realities," she explains.

However, in countries with more stable construction markets, such as Montenegro or Spain, where real estate demand is high, payback can be much faster.

What industry challenges the Ukrainian 3D printer solves

The 3D printer became an answer to three key challenges facing the modern construction industry: personnel shortage, construction costs, and project implementation speed.

"The lack of personnel is one of the most pressing issues in Ukraine's construction sector. Our printer minimizes the human factor: it requires only three people to operate—an operator and two assistants. All other processes are automated," explains Inna Furman.

This allows developers to reduce dependence on labor resources and significantly optimize processes. One 3D printer in a standard construction season (7 months) can print approximately 7,000 square meters of buildings. 3D printing technology ensures reduced construction costs. The printer prints with a cement-sand mixture developed for UTU company in partnership with Henkel. Essentially, one can say that the printer prints with concrete.

"We printed a 130-square-meter house in just 58 motor hours. With adequate funding, such a house could realistically be commissioned within two months. The cost of a printed square meter remains nearly the same across different countries, with logistics for the mixture being the only variable. However, the real estate market in countries like Montenegro, where prices start at €2500 ($2581) per square meter, offers a completely different profit margin," notes Inna.

The approximate cost per square meter of the house is $700. The price includes the foundation slab, insulated and painted walls, windows, doors, roof, and utilities routed through the walls.

Furthermore, after conducting detailed laboratory studies, the team received confirmation that a running meter of the wall can withstand a load of 64 tons. This makes it possible to print 3-5 floors using 3D technology.

Reconstruction of Ukraine and the future of 3D construction

"The primary goal of 3D UTU is to contribute to Ukraine's reconstruction after the war. The company actively collaborates with leading experts from O.M. Beketov National University of Urban Economy in Kharkiv and Lviv Polytechnic National University to develop innovative technical solutions that integrate classical construction methods with 3D printing.

"We are developing universal solutions that will be applicable not only in Ukraine but worldwide," says Inna.

A key aspect of the company's mission is to shift Ukrainians' perception of 3D printing in construction. Inna envisions a future where 3D-printed houses are regarded as equal to those built with traditional methods.

According to her, Ukrainians should have access to high-quality housing that is built quickly and affordably.

"I believe every Ukrainian deserves to live in a quality, reliable, and beautiful home within two to three months. It's better to focus on family and loved ones than to spend endless time on construction and renovations," says the company founder.