Fablab La Verrière

What Fablab La Verrière does

Fablab La Verrière is a non-profit shared fabrication laboratory operated under the association La Fabrique de l'Espoir, founded in May 2018 by the Ville de Montreuil and Make Ici and opened on April 1, 2019, in the Cité de l'Espoir housing estate in Montreuil, Seine-Saint-Denis — a Quartier Prioritaire de la Politique de la Ville (QPV). The 320 m² facility combines digital fabrication (laser cutting, 3D printing, CNC routing, vinyl cutting, digital embroidery) with traditional making (woodworking, sewing) and a circular-economy materials program built around a Precious Plastic micro-factory (since May 2021), a Beyond Plastic biopress for biodéchets transformation (added March 2026), and SCOBY/kombucha leather cultivation under a research partnership with the THR34D5 collective. Operating Tuesday–Friday plus late Thursday until 20h, the fablab uses a Fab-manager online scheduling platform for bookings and reservations.

The product portfolio is anchored by Openlab (adult open-access on Thursdays, €10–20/year pay-what-you-want membership), Openlab Ado (€150/year teen program ages 11–16, Wednesday afternoons, ~27 workshops), Ateliers Informatiques (digital literacy, Tuesdays/Fridays), the Escape Box team game, and an R&D Matériaux line. Paid services include custom fabrication (signage, trophies, promotional objects), teambuilding makathons, machine rental (€2–15/hour), and space rental (€30/hour or €200/day, six named spaces). Education and insertion pathways include the free Parcours Apprenti.e Maker (5-week, 5-discipline intensive), the Parcours Numérique (12 workshops for RSA beneficiaries), the PROGRAMME FAIRE (6-month creative entrepreneurship support with a one-month residency), and a residency program at €200/month for independent professionals (25+ named residents to date).

The business model is a hybrid of earned income and institutional grants. Earned streams include pay-what-you-can membership, subscription (Openlab Ado, residency), usage-based fees (machine, space, initiation), and bespoke B2B services (custom fab, teambuilding). Grant and foundation funding is sourced from Ville de Montreuil, Île-de-France Region, CAF Seine-Saint-Denis, ANCT, Syctom, France Travail (formerly Pôle Emploi), Fondation Orange, Fondation Vinci, Fondation de la Mer, and AG2R La Mondiale, among others. Customer segments span general residents in Seine-Saint-Denis, teens 11–16, RSA beneficiaries and digital learners, young people in professional insertion (referred via Mission Locale, AVVEJ, Association Aurore), independent professionals via residencies, and local companies and associations for B2B services. The organization reports 254 active users, 485 visitors, 53% female participation at machines, and has been financially balanced across seven years of operation.

Name

Fablab La Verrière

Legal name

La Fabrique de l'Espoir

Website

https://fablab-laverriere.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Fablab La Verrière is a non-profit 320 m² shared fabrication laboratory in Montreuil, Seine-Saint-Denis, offering digital and traditional fabrication access, plastic recycling and biomaterials R&D, digital literacy training, and professional insertion programs to local residents, teens, RSA beneficiaries, young people in insertion, and independent professionals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Maker Space & Digital Fabrication Services

akta.pro primary industry

Makerspace, Innovation Lab & Fab Lab Operations (Tools, Safety, Programming) (EDAEAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Makerspaces & Fab Labs (Open Build Studios) (EDAMADAC), 3D Printing, CAD & Digital Fabrication Programs (EDAMADAH)

Keywords

• Digital fabrication workshop
• Community maker space
• Circular economy materials
• Professional insertion training
• Custom fabrication services

Headquarters

HQ city

Montreuil

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Annual Membership Dues: Annual association membership at 10, 15, or 20 euros per year at the member's choice. Required for access to Openlab, workshops, and most fablab services.
2. Machine Access and Initiation Fees: Machine initiation sessions at 10 euros each. Openlab creative workshops at 5 euros. Hourly/demi-hourly machine rental (laser cutter 15 euros per 30 min; plotter/sewing/thermoforming/woodworking/Precious Plastic at 15 euros/hour; 3D printing at 2 euros/hour or 4 euros/hour with filament). On-demand machine initiation at 50 euros.
3. Space and Room Rental: Rental of two training rooms and wood workshop at 30 euros/hour or 200 euros/day per space. Full fablab privatization available on quotation. Revenue stream targeting companies and organizations for meetings, seminars, and training.
4. Custom Fabrication: On-demand custom manufacturing of signs, trophies, communication objects, and other personalized items for clients. Pricing by quotation.
5. Teambuilding Workshops: Custom team-building days on themes including plastic recycling, innovative materials, laser cutting, and 3D printing for corporate clients. Provided as a bespoke service with quotation-based pricing.
6. Residency Fees: Monthly residency program at 200 euros/month plus annual membership (10-20 euros). Includes shared desk, storage, one free machine initiation per month, and access to machines during business hours. Targeted at independent professionals and entrepreneurs.
7. Openlab Ado Annual Enrollment: Annual enrollment for teenagers aged 11-16 in Openlab Ado program at 150 euros/year (membership included). Approximately 27 workshops per year on Wednesday afternoons.
8. Public Funding and Grants: Significant revenue supported by public and institutional funding from Ville de Montreuil, Île-de-France, Seine-Saint-Denis, CAF, ANCT, Syctom, and others; and private foundations including Fondation Orange, Fondation Vinci, AG2R La Mondiale, and others. The organization is described as 'financially balanced' after 7 years of operation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Fablab La Verrière operates a 320 m² shared fabrication laboratory in Montreuil providing access to digital fabrication tools (laser cutter, 3D printer, CNC router, vinyl plotter, embroidery) and traditional making equipment (woodworking, sewing) through an annual membership plus open-access sessions. The organization also delivers paid services (custom fabrication, teambuilding, machine and space rental, residencies for independent professionals) and social-inclusion programs (computer literacy, professional insertion via Parcours Apprenti.e Maker and Parcours Numérique, and an entrepreneurship parcours). A circular-economy R&D program covers Precious Plastic recycling, biopress biomaterials, and kombucha leather production.

Product overview

Fablab La Verrière operates a 320 m² shared fabrication laboratory in Montreuil, offering a unified portfolio centered on its Openlab membership (open access to digital and traditional machines for adults) and Openlab Ado (teen fabrication sessions). The product line spans computer literacy workshops (Ateliers Informatiques), a gamified Escape Box team experience, and a materials R&D program (R&D Matériaux) covering recycled plastic, kombucha leather, and biodgradable biomaterials. Paid service modules complement the core offering: custom fabrication, teambuilding makathons, machine and space rental, and a Fablab Experience team program. Educational pathways include the ParCours Apprenti.e Maker (free intensive multi-discipline training), ParCours Numérique (digital skills for job seekers), and PROGRAMME FAIRE (creative entrepreneurship support). A Résidences program provides monthly hot-desk access for independent professionals. The ecosystem is managed via Fabmanager, an online booking platform, and is open Thursday afternoons and Saturdays on the first weekend of each month.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Openlab Open access sessions every Thursday (15h–20h) providing members free use of all machines (laser cutter, 3D printer, wood workshop, sewing machines) after an introductory session. Includes weekly machine initiations and creative workshops. Membership costs €10–€20 per year.
• Openlab Ado Weekly Wednesday afternoon sessions for teenagers aged 11–16 to learn digital and traditional fabrication techniques (laser cutter, 3D printer, wood workshop, Arduino). Participants earn skill badges. Annual enrollment at €150 (approximately 27 sessions per year).
• Ateliers Informatiques Individual help sessions (Tuesdays 14h–17h) and collective courses (Fridays) covering basic computing, internet navigation, email, file management, and administrative procedures online. Includes a laptop lending program and free computer access for members on Thursdays. Targeted at RSA beneficiaries and job seekers.
• Escape Box One-hour team escape game where participants solve puzzles and 'return scissors to the Mayor' to inaugurate the new laser cutter. For groups of 3–6 people aged 11–99; free for members.
• R&D Matériaux Research and development program focused on sustainable materials including recycled plastic (Precious Plastic), kombucha leather (THR34D5 collaboration), and biodegradable biomaterials from food waste (Beyond Plastic process). Open to members and resident professionals.
• Résidences Monthly residency program at €200/month plus annual membership (€10–€20) providing independent workers a shared workspace with access to CNC and traditional machines, storage, one included machine training per month, and meeting and coworking spaces.
• Fabrication sur Mesure Custom fabrication service for personalized objects on request: signage, promotional items, trophies, and communication objects. Pricing by quotation.
• Teambuilding Team-building 'makathon' events focused on waste-to-object themes, where teams design and fabricate items together. Includes custom workshops on plastic recycling, innovative materials, laser cutting, or 3D printing. Quotation-based pricing.
• Location Machines Hourly machine rental outside Openlab hours: laser cutter (€15 per 30 min), plotter/sewing machines/thermoformer/Precious Plastic/wood workshop (€15/hour), 3D printer (€2–€4/hour), machine initiation (€50).
• Location Espace Rental of two training rooms and the wood workshop: €30/hour or €200/day per space. Full venue privatization available on quote. Spaces include Salle Basse, Salle Haute, Atelier Bois, Espace Commun, Géode, and Espace Couture.
• Parcours Apprenti.e Maker Free 5–6 week intensive program for Seine-Saint-Denis residents aged 18+ covering digital fabrication (2D/3D, laser cutting, 3D printing), traditional crafts (woodworking, sewing, bicycle mechanics, horticulture), and career coaching with Lit Up. Approximately 120 hours total across multiple editions.
• Parcours Numérique Free 12-workshop digital skills program for Seine-Saint-Denis RSA beneficiaries covering computer basics, internet navigation, email, file management, USB drives, password security, word processing, and internet safety. Includes optional laser cutter and digital drawing initiation.
• PROGRAMME FAIRE Six-month entrepreneurship support program for Seine-Saint-Denis residents wanting to launch a creative business (sewing, woodworking, modeling, ceramics, embroidery). Includes one month of fablab residency and mentoring to develop a viable business plan.
• Parcours Fablab Experience Custom fabrication experience programs for teams to develop projects using fablab machines under guidance. Designed for beneficiaries, associations, or corporate teams to build projects collectively.
• Biopresse (Beyond Plastic Process) Biopress machine enabling transformation of food waste (coffee grounds, citrus peels, avocado pits) into hybrid biomaterials using a process acquired from Matériaux Parisiens. Materials are natural, biodegradable, and applicable in construction, fashion, medicine, and design.

Quantifiable outcome

• 53% women among machine users on average annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ville de MontreuilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2018Co-founder of the association La Fabrique de l'Espoir alongside Make Ici in May 2018. Provides ongoing institutional support, legitimacy, and funding as the founding municipal partner. Djeneba Keïta serves as Vice-President representing Ville de Montreuil on the board.
• Make IcicoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2018Co-founder of the association alongside Ville de Montreuil in May 2018. Make Ici is a maker-space organization that helped establish and mentor the Fablab La Verrière project. Nicolas Bard, President of the association, represents Make Ici on the board.
• La Sardine BleueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBicycle repair and mechanics specialist providing hands-on workshop instruction within the Apprentis Maker program, exposing participants to the trade of bicycle mechanics.
• Le Sens de l'HumusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHorticulture and urban agriculture specialist providing hands-on workshops within the Apprentis Maker program.
• Lit UpminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional orientation and soft skills development partner providing collective accompaniment for Apprentis Maker participants to help define professional projects and develop CVs.
• Mission Locale (Montreuil)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic employment service for young people 16-25 in Montreuil. Refers beneficiaries to Fablab Experience and Labcycling programs and participates in accompanying young people through insertion pathways.
• Association Aurore (EDI S'Passe 24 and EDI Odyssée)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial support organization providing insertion pathways for young people 18-25. Partner in multiple Fablab Experience and Labcycling Experience programs, with Jerôme Mège serving as Vice-Treasurer on the board.
• Les Petits Débrouillards IDFminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScience education association in Île-de-France. Méliana Lalouani, Vice-Secrétaire of the board, represents the organization at Fablab La Verrière.
• La Caravane (Epicerie Coopérative de Montreuil)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal cooperative grocery store adjacent to the fablab. Donated wooden pallets for Fablab Experience #2 garden signage project, supporting short-supply-chain material sourcing.
• AVVEJ (Association Vers la Vie pour l'Éducation des Jeunes)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth support organization participating in Fablab Experience programs for young people in orientation/insertion, alongside EDI structures from Association Aurore.
• TRACES (Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization represented on the board by Pierre Berrier (Secrétaire), contributing to the governance and mission of the association.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Plateau Urbain: French organization developing temporary and affordable cooperative workspaces, including maker-style spaces, with a strong social-inclusion mission and partnership with local governments — comparable tier-lieu model in a similar funding ecosystem.
• Make Ici: French fablab/makerspace network that co-founded Fablab La Verrière alongside Ville de Montreuil in May 2018; operates a portfolio of makerspaces with similar membership, machine access, and training programming for the general public and underserved communities.
• Simplon.co: French network of free digital-fabrication and coding schools ('Fabriques') serving underserved neighborhoods across France with public funding — directly comparable social-inclusion digital-skills training model operating in QPV territories.
• La Paillasse: Paris-based community fablab and open laboratory offering shared workspace, digital fabrication tools, and a residency program — directly comparable open-access maker model with a social and environmental mission similar to Fablab La Verrière.
• La MYNE: Community fablab/tiers-lieu in Lyon offering shared fabrication equipment, residency for independent makers, and community workshops — closely comparable operating model to Fablab La Verrière with a comparable mix of digital fabrication and social programming.
• Labboite (Cergy): Fellow fablab explicitly mentioned as having used the Escape Box documentation created by Fablab La Verrière; operates a similar community fablab offering digital fabrication access and workshops in the Paris region.

Emerging players

• Yes We Camp: French social enterprise developing hybrid third-places (cultural, residential, and maker activities) in underserved urban areas — comparable model of mission-driven community space development anchored in QPV-type neighborhoods with public funding.
• Les Petits Débrouillards: French science-education association represented on Fablab La Verrière's board (Vice-Secrétaire Méliana Lalouani); operates comparable STEM and maker-education programming for youth and underserved audiences with similar public-funding dependencies.
• Precious Plastic: Global open-source community for small-scale plastic recycling whose machines Fablab La Verrière operates (since May 2021); enables shared documentation and a worldwide network of micro-factories with comparable circular-economy missions.

Broad incumbents

• Fab Foundation: International non-profit supporting the global Fablab network of which Fablab La Verrière is a member — provides the overarching standards, knowledge-sharing infrastructure, and legitimizing umbrella for community fablabs worldwide.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/FablabLaVerriere
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fablab-la-verri%C3%A8re
• Instagraminstagram.com/fablab.la.verriere

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fablab La Verrière