The 13-Year-Old CEO Building a 3D Printing Business

At just 13 years old, Dominik Schkalei has transformed his 3D printing hobby and fascination into his very own business. But his path to entrepreneurship wasn’t easy.

“The biggest hurdle was getting legal approval to start my business as a minor. Even after that, challenges kept coming.” - Dominik S., Germany’s youngest entrepreneur

Dominik’s journey began in 2022 when he purchased his first 3D printer. Though it was far from perfect and required constant tinkering, this entry point into 3D printing got Dominik hooked. He quickly learned the ins and outs of 3D printing, experimenting with different materials and troubleshooting issues.

“Fixing that printer taught me so much,” Dominik says. “It was frustrating at times, but the lessons I learned are still helping me today.”

As his skills grew, so did his ambition. What began as a personal passion quickly caught the attention of family, friends, and classmates. Their fascination planted an idea in Dominik’s mind: Why not turn his hobby into a business? 

What it Took to Start a Business as a Minor

This journey was anything but simple. Dominik had to go to court in April 2024 to request special permission to legally operate his business.

He had to compile an extensive list of documents, fill out several forms, and even get recommendation letters from his teachers. A time-consuming and tedious process that would deter many, but that Dominik navigated with determination. After five months of patience, he finally received approval to operate Nudaim 3D in September 2024. 🎉

While securing legal approval was a major milestone, Dominik quickly realized that running a business as a teenager came with its own set of ongoing challenges. Despite his legal status, he frequently has to prove his credentials to online services and clients who sometimes hesitate to take him seriously due to his young age. Banking, in particular, remains a hurdle. He often faces requests for additional verification or encounters restrictions that complicate his business operations.

But, through it all, Dominik embraces both the challenges and opportunities that come with being a young entrepreneur. Today, Nudaim 3D offers modeling services and creates custom gifts, prototypes, lithophanes, spare parts, and decorative items.

“Every obstacle is a chance to learn,” he says. “I’ve realized that being young sets me apart, and I’m using that to my advantage.”

From troubleshooting printers to conquering courts and building trust with clients, Dominik’s resilience and resourcefulness have been key to his success.

Currently, Dominik is working on an open-source robot project with the ambition to create a fully functional robot body. While progress is slow as he juggles school, family, and friends, he is determined. “It’s a big goal, but I love challenges. That’s where the fun is,” he says.

Looking ahead, Dominik is particularly excited about the future of 3D printing, especially the possibilities of integrating AI. He envisions a voice-activated system where you describe a model idea, and AI not only creates the design but also launches the print on a fully autonomous machine. For now, though, his focus is on expanding his business with a print farm and setting up a professional workspace.

While it’s just beginning, Dominik shows us what determination and creativity can accomplish, no matter your age. His advice for young aspiring entrepreneurs?

“Just start. You’ll never know what you can achieve until you try.”

Ready to support young entrepreneurship?

Visit Nudaim to start your project with Dominik.