Developing a business model for concurrent enterprising at the Fab Lab

Fab Labs are fabrication laboratories equipped with digital fabrication machines. As digital manufacturing facilities they form the nuclei for collaborative innovation ecologies, based on the paradigm of commons based peer production. For the first time, a study into the business models of Fab Labs has been carried out. This paper reports initial results of this study in terms of value proposition, revenue model, processes, resources, marketing, and innovation partnerships. A distinction between labs providing facilities and labs providing innovation support is suggested. The findings of the study are then used to develop a business model for a new Fab Lab that aims to support concurrent enterprising an innovation among its users, building on four key ingredients, openness, interdisciplinary collaboration, effectiveness, and transferability. A tentative description of the business model is provided and discussed in terms of these four aspects and its contribution to concurrent enterprising.