NextFab Foundation was established in 2016 as an IRS-designated 501c3 private operating foundation. Its mission is to promote the development and operation of Hardware Makerspaces (also known as “Fab Labs”) and Incubators scaled to support (a) humanitarian projects which target at-risk populations in conflict affected areas; and (b) hardware technology development/commercialization in select emerging markets which are well advanced on the technology continuum.
The Foundation was formed by Dr. Evan Malone, as a philanthropic extension of NextFab (nextfab.com), his US private social enterprise which comprises a network of membership-based makerspaces that provide access to tools, technology, education and services for makers of any skill level. Headquartered in Philadelphia, NextFab supports a total of 5 US and international projects which comprise: Makerspaces: Access to manufacturing and digital equipment allowing for custom creation, rapid prototyping and technical training; Workshop Academies: Hands-on workshops and classes focused on digital fabrication and STEAM education to develop skills expected to be particularly important in the labor market in the coming decades; and Incubators: Incubation platforms which offer location, mentoring, consulting, venture services and funding to researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, startups, SMEs.
NextFab Locations: Philadelphia, PA: 2 Maker Spaces nextfab.com
Wilmington, DE: 1 Maker Space nextfab.com/wilmington
Athens, Greece: Astrolab FabLab Maker Space astro-lab.org
Irbid, Jordan: Shamal Start / Fablab Irbid fablabirbid.comz
