700522Fabbed e-desk POM projectClosedGRD Proof of MarketInnovate UKWe at Fabbed Limited are in the process of building a global online marketplace for digitally fabricated products, initially focused on furniture and furnishings. We are transforming the choices available to consumers buying furniture and provide a viable alternative to mass produced products that dominate the market today. Our vision is to give the consumer access to hundreds of high quality designs by talented designers worldwide for any product category. Moreover, a buyer can customise any of these items by choosing materials, finishes and functionality. This grant application aims to investigate the market opportunities for one specific use case. The vision is for an integrated office desk (we call it the “fabb-e”) which has electronic components built into the fabric of the desk. It allows the user, their computer and mobile devices to interact, aiming to improve productivity and employee satisfaction in the workplace. Using a new generation of computer controlled manufacturing technologies, which includes 3D printing and laser cutting, we believe there is an opportunity to transform the unadventurous office desk into something remarkable. The team at Fabbed Limited already have extensive prior experience in digital fabrication. We have two live websites providing a global marketplace for digitally fabricated products. The new technologies are transforming the economics of manufacturing by reducing labour to a smaller percentage of the cost of manufacture. Products are manufactured locally (thereby reducing transport cost) to the consumer by a network of SME ‘makers’ using this new digital fabrication technology. By using small-scale, local manufacturers we help customers to reduce their carbon footprint but also support their local economies.