Utkal Fab Fest 2023: Spearheading into The Global Fab Lab Network

Bhubaneswar – Startup Odisha, an initiative of the MSME Department, Government of Odisha is all set host the Utkal Fab Fest 2023 on Tuesday the 28th November, a unique and pivotal symposium that aims to Integrate Odisha into the coveted international fab lab network and develop a state-of-the-art regional world class all-inclusive Fab City.
The Fab lab global network is a part of the Fab Foundation, a US non-profit organization that emerged from MIT’s Center for Bits & Atoms Fab Lab Program. Integration into the Fab Lab network promises to be a game-changer not just for the startups but also for the culturally imbibed handicraft clusters in Odisha.
The Utkal Fab Fest is the pioneering initiative for understanding the international standards and advancements in the global Fab community and introduction to the varied Fab needs of the Odisha ecosystem stakeholders and culminate the learnings into creating world class Fab facilities in the State of Odisha.
Startup Odisha is providing the Odisha-based Artisans, startups, ecosystem partners, Universities, R&D centres, Centres of Excellence, and existing Fab labs an excellent opportunity to gain invaluable access to essential knowledge on the cutting-edge fabrication technologies and digital fabrication.
In pursuit of this vision, Startup Odisha has meticulously planned workshops to be conducted by the Fab Foundation and Fab City Foundation team. These workshops aim to sensitize the stakeholders by introducing them to the latest concepts, trends, and advancements in digital fabrication.
Dr. Omkar Rai, Executive Chairman of Startup Odisha, will kick off the proceedings with a compelling keynote address. Delegates from the International Fab community will provide a comprehensive introduction to the Fab Foundation and Fab City Foundation, setting the stage for a day of insightful discussions and collaborative exploration. Workshops on Ecosystem Mapping and Co-creation shall add a practical dimension to the theoretical discourse.
The Utkal Fab Fest will also host a special virtual session on the evolution of fabrication technologies, delving into the concept of Fab 2.0by Prof. Neil Gershenfeld, renowned as “The Father of Digital Fabrication” and the Director of MIT’s Center for Bits and Atoms.
Subsequently Ms Sherry Lassiter, – CEO of Fab Foundation, MIT Boston will deliver a virtual session on Fab world, community, programs and global reach followed by Tomas Diez, Co-Director, &Strategic Advisor of Fab City Foundation, and IAAC Board Member from Indonesia, delivering a session on the visionary concept of creating a Fab City. These sessions promise to provide a global perspective on the integration of digital fabrication in urban development.
The initiative also includes on-ground visits by the delegation to the R&D centres, Handicraft and Handloom clusters, existing Fab Labs, providing them with the practical insights into the customized fabrication needs, necessary technological interventions, and a comprehensive understanding of the design aspects. These visits will contribute to shaping the blueprint for the proposed Super Fab Lab in O-Hub, featuring multiple spokes of Fab Labs strategically being planned across various regions.
The first day of the Utkal Fab Fest 2023 is not merely an event; it is a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange, visionary discussions, and hands-on exploration of the transformative potential of digital fabrication.
Dr. Omkar Rai, the Executive Chairman, Startup Odisha, said, “Startup Odisha is looking forward to welcoming delegates from the Fab Foundation and Fab City Foundation and we are particularly excited about the collaborative efforts going ahead. to pave the way for the dynamic growth of the startup ecosystem through the transformative power of digital fabrication, integration with the Global Fab network combined with cutting-edge technologies. The Utkal Fab Fest 2023, serves as a platform for setting the tone for strategic collaboration, and I am confident that our collective endeavours will contribute significantly to the evolution, creation and expansion of world class digital innovation and fabrication in the State of Odisha.”