FABulous · Future Internet Web-Entrepreneurship for 3D Printing Virtual Fabrication in Europe

The potential of 3D printing to become a major source of economic growth is huge - market size of $8.41 billion in 2020. It could (a) bring significant environmental benefits removing the need to bulky transport (b) vastly reduce the capital manufacturing costs making it easier for entrepreneurs to launch ideas (c) give customers a new level of choice for products to be custom-built to their needs. IT industry is realising that 3D printing technology goes beyond a manufacturing technology. It represents a software-enabled ecosystem. This ecosystem includes 3D printers, CAD applications; scanners and online collaboration, much of which is open source.Successfully providing a FI based innovation ecosystem in 3D printing (FABulous) will secure employment and growth, capitalising on European global tangible assets (manufacturing capabilities, bespoke services, digital marketplaces) and intangible ones (creativity, design). Failing to meet the challenge means once more we loose the innovation battle to American counterparts.FI is at the epicentre of the 3D printing ecosystem. All required infrastructures and enabling technologies for FI response are available- FI-WARE GEs, FITMAN FIspace and FI-Content platforms. Therefore, FABulous FI service scope will lie in key areas: • Crowd-sourcing design. • Cloud based design with IPR management. • 3D printing mobile apps. • Logistics & manufacturing services.FABulous will bring together 150 entrepreneurs, creative professionals, 3D printing adopters and investors. It is a highly connected (EIT ICT Labs, EIG, EuroHub, EMN, EBN, ECIA, EFFRA) high-performance business acceleration programme combining best of breed technical background (FI), with solid business modelling routed in the FI, with access to smart investment strategies from public and private investors leveraging FI services for 3D printing. The European Talent Mobility network provides FABulous access to high-quality talent to support SME growth.