How useful is a fablab for an entrepreneur? The case of entrepreneurial and social dimensions reconciled in a start-up

Abstract

Fablabs are physical places where one can experiment with digital tools. Conceived as social innovations and with their relative openness to all, they encourage local entrepreneurship. Previous studies have documented ex post social versus entrepreneurial levers. But how are those choices made upstream? How useful is a fablab for an entrepreneur? Is it possible to reconciled entrepreneurial and social dimension in this kind of third place? This insider study is based on three years of participatory observation of a fablab start-up in an entrepreneurship centre. The main findings show that when one wants to reconcile the entrepreneurial and social dimensions, problems arise regarding revenue models related to choices in terms of governance. One solution is to choose specific characteristics and levers such as the degree of openness, the mix of stakeholders and the activities offered.
M130 New Firms; Startups; O350 Social Innovation