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NextFab
NextFab is a company based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It provides makerspaces for education and technology sectors, offering access to machinery, tools,...
NextFab
NextFab is a company based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It provides makerspaces for education and technology sectors, offering access to machinery, tools, and digital technology. The company serves the professional makers sector through educational classes and community events.
General information
Firm type
other
Year founded
2009
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Philadelphia
Corporate office
Philadelphia, PA, United States
Additional offices
Newark, DE
Principals
Evan L. Smith
President & CEO
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Is NextFab an incubator or a venture investor?
Neither. NextFab operates as a membership-based service organization that provides access to industrial equipment and workspace. It does not take equity in member companies, run accelerator cohorts, or make venture investments. Revenue comes from membership fees and fee-for-service fabrication work rather than portfolio appreciation.
What equipment access does NextFab provide?
Members gain access to CNC milling and turning centers, multiple 3D-printing technologies including selective laser sintering, laser cutters, welding stations, woodworking shops, electronics assembly benches, textile equipment, waterjet cutting, and finishing suites. The exact machine roster varies by location, with the Philadelphia facility housing the broader set of advanced metalworking capabilities.
How does NextFab's workforce development program work?
NextFab partners with municipal workforce agencies and philanthropic funders to train adults in advanced manufacturing skills, typically focused on CNC machining and additive manufacturing. Graduates receive industry-recognized credentials and job-placement support. These programs are funded through public and foundation grants rather than member fees, and they serve populations separate from the core membership base.
Who makes investment and operational decisions at NextFab?
Evan L. Smith, the founder, serves as President and CEO. As a privately owned company without outside institutional investors, strategic direction rests with Smith and his internal leadership team. The organization does not publish a separate investment committee or board of directors list.
What is the relationship between NextFab and local economic development agencies?
NextFab has functioned as a de facto workforce intermediary in the Philadelphia-Wilmington corridor, receiving state and local grants to bridge advanced-manufacturing skills gaps. It is not itself a government agency, but its training programs align with regional economic development goals around reshoring medical-device and aerospace supply-chain jobs.
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