Looking for funds to get that amazing 3D printing service or product off the ground? If you have an idea for a 3D printing service operating in Europe (and several program-associated countries) you might not have to look very far. You will, however, have to hurry up. Up to €2.2 million remain available for the FABulous EU funded investment program for those who apply by June 18th.
Spain-based Carsa, a consultancy services company operating in the fields of innovation, technology and internationalization, was commissioned by the European Union to set up the FABulous fund, awarding up to €5.4 in funding for SME’s, startups, and entrepreneurs focusing on “3D printing virtual fabrication”.
The first call already closed. To apply for the second call, up to 50 more projects from SME’s Startups and Web-Entrepreneurs have until June 18th at 17.00 CET. The thematic area budget is €2,2 million, aimed at ventures that want to offer “Solutions for Future Internet Web‐Entrepreneurship for 3D Printing Virtual Fabrication in Europe”. These are divided between “Crowd-sourced and Cloud-based Design & Services for 3D Printing”, “Mobile Apps and Services for 3D Printing”, “Manufacturing & Logistics Tools and Services” and “Advanced Content Management Related to 3D Printing”, with each assigning up to €550,000.
The first call projects included companies from 18 different countries, with 80% of the funds going to SME’s and 20% to entrepreneurs.This meant that up to 100 new internet services could receive €18,000, with those presenting commercial applications projects receiving €60,0000 and web business €40,000. In the second call, 50 more internet services can receive €18,000 and €60,0000 for presenting commercial applications. Further information can be found here.
The FABulous project is currently active under the Seventh Framework programme (FP7) of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities contributing to the creation of the European research area and to innovation. The total investment by industry and the public sector is 500 million euro (including 300 million euro European Commission contribution). The programme is founded on the vision of a sustainable economy and an inclusive society in Europe
FABulous is one of the 16 accelerators within the FIWARE Accelerate initiative of the European Commission, a cornerstone project of the FI-PPP (the industry-led and user-driven innovation programme with a focus on Europe, which is part of the FP7), aiming to build an open Core Platform of the Future Internet. The FIWARE platform seeks to dramatically increase Europe’s Information and Communications Technology competitiveness
The team behind FABulous predicts that 3D printing will offer huge opportunities in this sense, creating new services which play into EUrope’s strengths in design and online retail. It is seen as a potential major source of economic growth, with a market size predicted to reach €8.41 billion within the next 5 years. These is no better time to launch a new project or re-start and renew an established company. Wouldn’t getting some EU money to help out be just FABulous?
