Fab Labs are an international network of innovation hubs that invite members to imagine and prototype their inventions using openly available equipment and software.

Fab Labs are open spaces for innovation and prototype development, which are equipped with industrial-grade machinery, power tools and electronics tools, in addition to open-source software and computers. The initiative started as an outreach project at MIT’s Center for Bits and Atoms, and has expanded to more than 1,000 Fab Labs in operation in 78 countries. The labs are increasing access to modern tools and technology, and stimulating local entrepreneurship.

The Fab Foundation concentrates their efforts in reaching out to young people. Many schools use Fab Labs to provide hands-on science, technology, engineering and maths education for students. By seeing a project through ideation to prototyping and further iterations, students develop a complete learning experience that will help them continue innovating.

Fab Labs embody the growing ‘maker movement’ that is steadily democratizing access to tools for innovation and invention around the world. Empowering talented individuals with access to the tools they need to design new products generates valuable educational opportunities and accelerates the discovery of potential new sustainable technologies.