3D printing entrepreneur secures a UK first with two King’s Awards

A young Warwickshire entrepreneur has gone from replacing his mum’s dishwasher with a homemade 3D printer to becoming arguably the youngest ever recipient of two King’s Award for Enterprise. 

Mitchell Barnes, who is about to turn 30 years old, founded RYSE 3D in 2017. Since then, he has created one of the UK’s biggest disruptors in additive manufacturing, supplying high-performance production parts to 23 of the world’s hypercar projects and delivering complex components to exciting new contracts in aerospace, defence and energy.

Global success has led to the business securing the King’s Award for International Trade, following its earlier success in the Innovation category in 2024.

“To win one King’s Award is special; to win a second for our efforts in growing the business overseas is mind-blowing – I still can’t quite believe it,” remarks Mitch, who runs the company with his brother Cameron.