Dan Shapiro
Dan Shapiro is the co-founder and CEO of Glowforge and founder of Robot Turtles, and serves as Senior Research Fellow at The Wharton School. He previously founded Ontela, which was acquired, and has held leadership roles at Google, Microsoft, RealNetworks, and Photobucket.com. His expertise includes entrepreneurship and innovation.
Glowforge Co-Founders Dan Shapiro and Mark Gosselin Reacquire Startup Assets After Restructuring
Glowforge, the Seattle-based laser engraver startup, has undergone restructuring after financial troubles, with co-founders Dan Shapiro and Mark Gosselin reacquiring key assets to restart operations. They plan to focus on improving hardware, software, and customer service with a smaller team.
Glowforge to Close Seattle Factory and Lay Off Workers After Less Than a Year, Citing Expiring Lease and Redevelopment
Glowforge is closing its Seattle manufacturing facility and laying off workers less than a year after moving some production there, citing an expiring lease and neighborhood redevelopment. The company plans to find a new Seattle office and previously improved production quality compared to its old factory in Mexico.
Glowforge CEO Dan Shapiro Announces Layoffs After Merging Sales and Marketing Teams Amid Funding Challenges
Seattle laser engraver maker Glowforge announced layoffs impacting its sales, marketing, senior executives, and customer care teams following a recent merger of sales and marketing departments. Founded in 2015, the startup has raised $183 million but faced challenges in 2023 and 2024 after a funding round fell through.
Glowforge Reshoring Production to Seattle Facility with AI Amid Tariff Uncertainty
Glowforge, a Seattle-based laser engraver maker, moved production from Mexico to a new Seattle facility to gain manufacturing flexibility and better leverage AI amid uncertain tariff policies. Founded in 2015, the startup has raised $183 million and navigates challenges from changing economic conditions by reshoring production.
VCs Urge Startups to Focus Long-Term Despite $3 Trillion Market Loss from Trump’s Tariff Announcement
Venture capitalists advise startups to maintain a long-term focus despite uncertainty caused by President Trump’s new tariffs, which triggered a $3 trillion market value loss. While tariffs pose short-term challenges for hardware and manufacturing startups, many emphasize resilience and product-centric growth strategies.
Glowforge Launches Spark $699 3D Laser Engraver for Home Crafters with Presale at $599
Glowforge introduced the Spark, its lowest priced 3D laser engraver at $699, targeting home crafters with the same laser technology as its higher-end models. The company is offering a presale discount price of $599 and plans retail distribution through major stores.
Glowforge Sues Tech Activist Jonathan Gleich Over Safety Claims, Later Moves to Dismiss Lawsuit
Seattle startup Glowforge sued tech activist Jonathan Gleich in October 2023 for allegedly spreading false claims about the safety of its 3D laser engravers, but recently filed to dismiss the lawsuit without prejudice. CEO Dan Shapiro expressed concern over the unfounded allegations but declined to comment further due to the pending legal matter.
Glowforge Cuts Workforce to About 75 After Funding Round Cancellation, Despite Successful Aura Laser Engraver Launch
Glowforge laid off more employees after a planned funding round was canceled, reducing its workforce from about 145 to roughly 75 employees. CEO Dan Shapiro emphasized the company remains operational with revenue from its laser engravers but had to restructure to become cashflow positive.
Glowforge Lays Off 30 Employees Amid Preparations for 2024 Growth, Offers Support Packages
Seattle-based 3D laser engraver maker Glowforge has laid off 30 employees as part of preparations for future opportunities, with CEO Dan Shapiro emphasizing support for those affected. The company, which had 145 employees as of July 2023, plans significant developments in 2024.
Glowforge Launches $1,200 Aura Laser Printer for Home Crafters, Available at JOANN, Michaels, and HSN
Glowforge announced the Aura, a $1,200 compact laser printer/engraver designed for home crafters, distinct from their higher-end models aimed at businesses. The Aura will be available at major craft retailers and includes an optional $400 air filter to manage fumes.
Glowforge Raises $20M in Series E Extension to Expand AI-Powered 3D Laser Printer Features and Subscription Services
Glowforge, a 3D laser printer startup, raised $20 million in an extension of its Series E funding to enhance new product features and expand its subscription business. This follows the recent launch of Magic Canvas, an AI image generator that creates copyright-free artwork for use with its printers.
Glowforge Launches Magic Canvas AI Image Generator for 3D Laser Printing Creations
Glowforge launched Magic Canvas, an AI-powered image generator that creates artwork from text prompts optimized for 3D laser printing on materials like wood and acrylic. The tool simplifies the design process by producing copyright-free images ready for engraving and cutting.
Glowforge Raises $43M Series E Led by DFJ Growth, Expands Sales to Schools and International Markets
Seattle-based 3D laser printer startup Glowforge raised $43 million in a Series E round led by DFJ Growth, aiming for profitability in 2022 with over $100 million revenue in 2021. CEO Dan Shapiro highlighted expanded sales to schools, international growth, and retail partnerships as key business developments.
GeekWire surveys Seattle-area VCs to name Pacific Northwest startups they predict will become unicorns in 2022
GeekWire surveyed more than a dozen Seattle-area venture capitalists for their picks of Pacific Northwest startups likely to reach unicorn status this year, compiling a list of candidate companies with reasons for each selection. The piece notes rising valuations nationwide and excludes VCs' own portfolio companies to reduce bias.
Glowforge partners with Michaels to sell Plus and Pro 3D laser cutters, filters and materials online and in select stores
Glowforge announced a retail partnership with Michaels to sell its Plus and Pro 3D laser cutters, air filters and Proofgrade materials on Michaels.com and in select stores, aiming to reach more home and school customers. The Seattle startup, founded in 2014, has raised about $120 million and sells its printers for $2,995–$5,995.
Mason founders Jim and Nancy Xiao swap CEO and President roles as startup, backed by $25M Series A, tops 50 employees; Microsoft CVP Gavriella Schuster departs to focus on DEI
Seattle IoT startup Mason is swapping CEO Jim Xiao and President Nancy Xiao, with Nancy becoming CEO after the company raised $25M in Series A and grew to 50+ employees; longtime Microsoft CVP Gavriella Schuster has left Microsoft to focus on DEI work.
GeekWire 200 CEO Survey: Most Seattle-Area Startups Report Little or No Pandemic Impact and Plan Hiring
A GeekWire 200 CEO survey of nearly 50 Pacific Northwest startup leaders found most report little or no negative impact from the pandemic, many plan to hire, and significant optimism about the regional economy over the next 18 months.
Glowforge and Lytics Turn Down ~$3.85M in Approved PPP Loans to Leave Aid for Smaller Businesses
Two venture-backed Pacific Northwest tech startups, Glowforge and Lytics, declined approved Paycheck Protection Program loans of about $1.85 million and $2 million respectively, choosing to leave funds for smaller businesses that lack access to capital after concluding they could avoid layoffs and survive the crisis.
Organizations
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The Wharton School Senior Research Fellow 2025–present · current
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Glowforge Executive Officer, Director, Promoter 2016–present, Co-founder and CEO 2014–present · current
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Robot Turtles Founder 2013–present · current
Education
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Harvey Mudd College B.S., Engineering · 1993–1997
