- Accelerated
Posedla: The first fully personalised 3D printed bicycle saddles
From the idea of two „obsessed“ cyclists to a brand that today delivers saddles to customers in more than 50 countries worldwide. In 2021, the startup Posedla went through the PrusaLab acceleration programme, where the first functional prototypes of a product that is now changing the way cyclists choose a saddle were created. Instead of the trial-and-error method, it brings a saddle tailored to each rider using data, parametric design and 3D printing.
Start-up
Posedla – Jiří Dužár, Martin Řípa
Region
Cycling, personalised manufacturing, 3D printing
Year of Acceleration
2021
Aim of the programme
Development and verification of a functional prototype of a custom 3D printed saddle
When one saddle cannot fit all
The saddle fundamentally affects the comfort, health and performance of the cyclist. Yet most people still choose the right model by trial and error.
Martin Řípa and Jiří Dužár therefore asked themselves the question: why do we use mass-produced saddles for people with different anatomies?
It was precisely this idea that stood at the birth of the startup Posedla.
A saddle tailored to a specific person
The aim of the project was to use parametric design and 3D printing to produce a custom saddle tailored to every rider.
Every saddle is created based on individual data, such as an impression of the sit bones, body proportions or riding style. The software then designs the optimum geometry.
The result is a product combining advanced algorithms, carbon composites and 3D printed flexible structures.
First steps in PrusaLab
The startup entered the PrusaLab acceleration programme with a clear vision and initial technical concepts.
Within a few months, the first prototypes, test series and production procedures were created. At the same time, the team verified the ergonomics, materials and possibilities of future production.
The acceleration also helped with building a network of suppliers, partners and expert consultants.
Parametric design and 3D printing
The parametric design of the saddle became a key component of the project.
Every customer receives a unique geometry tailored to their anatomy. The shape and stiffness of individual parts are generated automatically based on the input data.
3D printing enables the creation of complex structures with varying stiffness that cannot be produced by conventional methods.
Because of this, the saddle can be softer in areas with higher pressure and firmer where greater support is needed.
The investment that kick-started growth
The acceleration culminated in a significant milestone.
Prusa Research decided to invest 15 million crowns in the startup, which made it possible to complete the product's development, prepare production and launch the first saddles on the market.
Sales officially launched before the 2022 season, and within a short space of time Posedla became one of the most visible Czech hardware startups.
From a startup to a global brand
What began as an experimental project in 2021 has transformed over the course of a few years into an internationally successful brand.
Today, Posedla manufactures saddles under the name Joyseat, which it supplies to customers in over 50 countries worldwide. The company has recorded more than 10,000 customers and its products are used by professional athletes, Olympians, world champions, and amateur cyclists.
The product has received extensive media attention in cycling and technology media around the world and is often referred to as the first truly fully personalised 3D-printed saddle on the market.
Awards and recognition
Already during the first years of its existence, the company won several significant awards:
- Innovative Company of the Ústí Region 2021 – 1st place
- TOP 10 Innovators of the Year 2022 according to Hospodářské noviny
- Creative Business Network National Finals 2022
However, besides the recognition, the greatest success is the fact that it was possible to build a product that stood up to global competition and managed to turn the original technological experiment into a real business.
Result
Posedla represents a prime example of a startup that managed to harness the potential of an acceleration program to the full. Within a few months, it succeeded in verifying the technical feasibility of the product, preparing the manufacturing process, securing investment and laying the foundations of the future company.
Today, Posedla is among the most successful projects to have passed through the PrusaLab accelerator. It is proof that the combination of cutting-edge technology, deep knowledge of a specific problem and a determined team can lead to the creation of a product that succeeds not only in the Czech Republic, but also on the global market.
