From Duke Football to 3D-Printed Medical Devices: How PROTECT3D Scaled Mass Customization with Kevin Gehsmann
In this episode, we unpack how a college capstone project turned into a scalable system for custom-fit 3D-printed bracing, moving from “hours in CAD” to minutes with automated design templates. We get into the origin story, the technology moat, go-to-market evolution, fundraising, and the founder mindset required to stay in the game.
Highlights covered
How PROTECT3D started with a custom brace for a Duke teammate
Why “one-size-fits-none” is the real problem in bracing
The core workflow: iPhone scan → automated digital design → 3D print
How they reduced design time from 5+ hours to under 5…
The skinny
The skinny isn't ready yet — notes appear once the transcript is processed.