Development of Small Business on FabLab Platform

Abstract

Small business is characterized by a number of advantages while serving niche markets with products designed for a narrow target audience. Demand for such products fosters not only high prices setting up, but also ensures long-term partnership relations with buyers. However, high quality products or services require the use of expensive, up-to-date equipment which is not always available to small businesses. Fabrication laboratories (fablabs) became the original platforms for: rapid implementation of business ideas in the form of product prototypes, transferring knowledge about innovative “digital” technologies for industry, research and introduction of new equipment. These mini-factories are equipped not only with a set of advanced rapid prototyping equipment and software for the design of 2D and 3D models, but they also use modern project management techniques, approaches for finding perfect solution of product design, innovation marketing. Products’ adaptation on the basis of the fablab platform by introducing innovations required by the end-user aimed at improving the efficiency and competitiveness of small businesses is offered.