Fablab Venezia - Digital Fabrication & Social Innovation

What Fablab Venezia - Digital Fabrication & Social Innovation does

Fablab Venezia Srl is a Venice-based digital fabrication laboratory and operational spin-off of Università IUAV di Venezia, founded in 2014 and registered as a private limited company in Italy. The company operates an open laboratory model combining 3D printing (FDM and large-format systems via WASP Delta printers), laser cutting, 5-axis CNC milling, 3D scanning (structured light, laser, photogrammetry), and parametric design (Rhinoceros and Grasshopper), delivering custom prototyping, consulting, and small-batch production for architects, designers, artisans, cultural institutions, and fashion/luxury brands. Documented commissions include installations for Moschino, Chloé, COS (Fuorisalone CONIFERA installation), Michelangelo Foundation Homo Faber events, Reyer Venezia, the Alex Zanardi Foundation (Obiettivo3 paralympic supports), Seguso Murano, and national pavilions at the Venice Biennale in Italy, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.

The company monetizes through five principal revenue streams: (1) professional services for digital fabrication, prototyping, and consulting; (2) education and training via the Academy4DF professional curriculum (€49–€601 + VAT per course) and Fablab Venezia EDU programs for youth aged 6–18; (3) e-commerce product sales through the Made in Fablab storefront (Territoriotipo 3D terrain models at €48–€499 and the Red Dot Award-winning ONE Lamp); (4) recurring open laboratory membership and access fees; and (5) non-dilutive R&D funding through the Horizon Europe HEPHAESTUS project and iNest consortium (PTP3D, DUPLICITY). Pricing is differentiated for members, IUAV students, Order of Architects members, and Confartigianato affiliates, with CFP-accredited continuing education for architects.

The business is differentiated by its dual academic-industry positioning (IUAV spin-off status plus Authorized Rhino Training Center certification), embedded location within The HuB – Human Bits innovation ecosystem in Mestre, dual site strategy (Mestre operational headquarters plus legal seat at VEGA Parco Scientifico Tecnologico), and a documented international project portfolio of 60+ engagements. Core strategic partnerships include the WASP Hub international lab network, ABB Robotics, Trotec, RobotFactory, and the Michelangelo Foundation, with co-organization agreements with the Order of Architects of Venice and Confartigianato Venezia underpinning the training business. No disclosed headcount, revenue, or external funding rounds are present in the data, consistent with a small bootstrapped SME operating at sub-€1M annual revenue scale.

Name

Fablab Venezia - Digital Fabrication & Social Innovation

Legal name

Fablab Venezia Srl

Website

https://fablabvenezia.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Fablab Venezia is an Italian digital fabrication laboratory and IUAV Università spin-off offering 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC milling, 3D scanning, prototyping, professional training (Academy4DF), youth education, and consulting for architects, designers, cultural institutions, fashion brands, and artisans.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Fabrication Services

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Makerspaces & Fab Labs (Open Build Studios) (EDAMADAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Makerspace, Innovation Lab & Fab Lab Operations (Tools, Safety, Programming) (EDAEAGAI), Design-for-Additive (DfAM) & Prototype Optimization (IMAAAFAC)

Keywords

• Digital fabrication
• 3D printing services
• Parametric design
• Prototyping services
• Digital craftsmanship

Headquarters

HQ city

Venezia

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Digital Fabrication Services: Custom prototyping, production, and consulting services using digital fabrication technologies including 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC milling, and scanning. Clients include architects, artists, designers, and cultural institutions requiring custom fabrication solutions.
2. Education and Training: Academy4DF professional courses and Fablab Venezia EDU programs for children, students, teachers, and professionals. Revenue from course fees with discounts for members, students, and partner organizations.
3. Product Sales (E-commerce): Sale of digitally fabricated products including TerritorioTipo 3D terrain models, parametric lighting, and custom digital crafts. Products sold through online store with prices ranging from €44 to €499.
4. EU Grants and R&D Projects: Research funding through Horizon Europe (HEPHAESTUS project) and other EU-funded R&D initiatives focused on digitalization of artistic craftsmanship and phygital inclusive applications.
5. Open Laboratory Membership: Laboratory access fees and membership programs for individuals and businesses to use Fablab equipment and facilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Fablab Venezia is a digital fabrication laboratory providing custom prototyping, small-scale production, and consulting using 3D printing (FDM, large-format), laser cutting, 5-axis CNC milling, and 3D scanning. It also delivers professional training (Academy4DF), youth education (Fablab Venezia EDU), and EU-funded R&D, while selling its own digitally fabricated products such as Territoriotipo terrain models through an e-commerce store.

Product overview

Fablab Venezia is a digital fabrication laboratory operating as a Spin-off of Università Iuav di Venezia, offering an integrated ecosystem of products and services. The core offering includes an open access Fablab providing 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC milling, and parametric design services, complemented by Fablab Venezia Edu for educational programs targeting youth (ages 6-18), and Academy4DF for advanced professional training in digital fabrication technologies. The company also provides consulting services including EU Grants and R&D project advisory, prototyping and production services, and digital craftsmanship combining traditional artisan techniques with modern technologies. Key product lines include the Territoriotipo 3D topographic mountain models and the ONE lamp (Red Dot Design Award winner). Research initiatives include the HEPHAESTUS Horizon Europe project on artisan craft digitalization. The WASP Hub affiliation provides access to large-format 3D printing capabilities and bioplastic fabrication expertise.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Territoriotipo: Digital craftsmanship product line featuring 3D printed mountain and territory models in bioplast, sold as sustainable decorative items with Dolomia powder finish. The 10% of proceeds support environmental projects.
• ONE Lamp
• Academy4DF
• Fablab Venezia Edu
• WASP Hub

Products and services

• Fablab Venezia Lab Services (Digital Fabrication Laboratory) Core digital fabrication laboratory offering access to 3D printing (FDM and large-format), laser cutting, 5-axis CNC milling, 3D scanning, and parametric design services for prototyping and small-scale production. Used by architects, designers, artisans, and cultural institutions.
• Laboratorio Aperto (Open Laboratory)

Quantifiable outcome

• HEPHAESTUS Horizon Europe project advancing digitalization of artistic craftsmanship
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

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.

• WASP (WASP Hub)coreTechnology or IntegrationWASP Hub is an international network of digital fabrication laboratories. Fablab Venezia is part of this network and uses WASP 3D printers (Delta 2040, Delta 4070, Delta 3mt). WASP Hub connects multiple laboratories across countries for collaborative large-scale projects like the CONIFERA installation.
• IUAV Università di VeneziacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFablab Venezia is a spin-off of IUAV University of Venice. Deep collaboration in research, education, and development projects. The university connection provides academic credibility and access to research resources.
• Ordine degli Architetti, Pianificatori, Paesaggisti, Conservatori di VeneziacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organization of Academy4DF professional training courses with recognized professional development credits (CFP). Courses are accredited and provide credits for architects in Venice province.
• Confartigianato VeneziacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPatronage and co-organization of professional training programs. Provides access to artisan network and professional development for Confartigianato members with discounted pricing.
• VEGA - Parco Scientifico TecnologicominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocated at VEGA Science and Technology Park in Marghera, providing access to a technology-focused ecosystem and shared infrastructure.
• Michelangelo FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Homo Faber events (2018 and 2022) at Fondazione Cini in Venice. Fablab Venezia fabricates installations and artifacts showcasing excellence in craft métiers.
• iNest Consortium (University of Venice)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on PTP3D and DUPLICITY research projects funded through the iNest consortium, focused on phygital inclusive applications and physical representation of territory and cultural heritage.
• 1% for the PlanetminorStrategic or Co-development Partner10% of proceeds from TerritorioTipo mountain models are donated to environmental projects through 1% for the Planet.
• Rhino (Robert McNeel & Associates)coreTechnology or IntegrationFablab Venezia is an Authorized Rhino Training Center, providing certified training in Rhinoceros 3D modeling software and Grasshopper parametric design.
• Umana FormaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork partner providing professional development and training services in the Venetian region.
• European Union (Horizon Europe)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipant in HEPHAESTUS Horizon Europe research project on the digitalization of artistic craftsmanship. Also involved in PTP3D and DUPLICITY projects on phygital technologies for cultural heritage.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Fab Foundation: The non-profit organization that originated the global Fab Lab network from MIT's CBA. Fablab Venezia operates as a Fab Lab within this ecosystem, sharing the open-access digital fabrication model, maker education programs, and community workshop format with hundreds of peer fab labs worldwide.
• WASP: Italian 3D printer manufacturer and operator of the WASP Hub digital fabrication laboratory network. Direct technology partner of Fablab Venezia (provides WASP Delta 2040/4070/3mt printers) and co-participant in projects like CONIFERA. Highly comparable in large-format 3D printing, bioplastic fabrication, and cultural-craft focus.
• Shapeways: Netherlands/US-based 3D printing service marketplace and e-commerce platform connecting designers with on-demand fabrication. Comparable to Fablab Venezia's e-commerce (Made in Fablab) and custom 3D printing service model, with overlapping designer/maker customer base.
• Sculpteo: France-based 3D printing service bureau (acquired by BASF) offering online on-demand 3D printing, prototyping, and small-series production. Directly comparable to Fablab Venezia in custom 3D printing services, designer/maker focus, and online service model.
• Hubs (formerly 3D Hubs): Netherlands-based (now part of Protolabs) digital manufacturing platform providing instant online quoting and access to a global network of 3D printing, CNC, and injection molding service providers. Comparable to Fablab Venezia in custom 3D printing service model and on-demand fabrication, but as a tech-enabled marketplace.
• Factum Arte: Madrid-based company specializing in high-resolution 3D scanning, digital conservation, and facsimiles for cultural heritage and museums. Highly comparable to Fablab Venezia's work for Museo Civici Veneziani and Polo Museale del Veneto in classical bust reproduction and heritage digital fabrication.
• DWS Systems: Italian stereolithography (SLA) 3D printer manufacturer based in Vicenza. Direct geographic and technology peer to Fablab Venezia, operating in the same Italian 3D printing ecosystem with overlapping professional/industrial customer base in design, jewelry, and dental verticals.

Broad incumbents

• Protolabs: US-listed digital manufacturing services company offering CNC machining, 3D printing, and injection molding on-demand. Comparable service offering to Fablab Venezia's custom prototyping and production business, but at much larger enterprise scale across aerospace, automotive, and medical verticals.
• Xometry: US-listed on-demand manufacturing marketplace connecting buyers with CNC, 3D printing, and fabrication service providers. Comparable to Fablab Venezia's custom prototyping service in business model and target customer base, but operates as a platform/marketplace at significantly greater scale.
• Materialise: Belgian publicly-listed 3D printing service bureau and software company offering industrial additive manufacturing at scale. Overlaps with Fablab Venezia in custom 3D printing services and on-demand manufacturing but operates at vastly larger scale with broader industrial customer base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCDRiljZEnibTb_qwi6S4ZQg
• Facebookfacebook.com/fablabvenezia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fablab-venezia
• Instagraminstagram.com/fablabvenezia
• Pinterestpinterest.it/fablabvenezia

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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