The reason is this. When 3dm started the only thing they really...

The reason is this. When 3dm started the only thing they really had (before all of the current agreements) was the fact that the head guy was also a managing director of 3dg/3di. A company that built some of the world's largest 3d printers. Here he is talking about it to Gary Anderson at 3d printing stocks.
A company with a bright future it seemed.
3dg/3di was placed into VA by 3 of the 4 directors. One of those directors is a director here at 3dm.

You can read all about it for yourself.