[Users are exploring Geo platform in the FabSpace Lab at TU Darmstadt (Photo: Sandra Junker)]

FabSpace 2.0 Darmstadt is proud to welcome the first set of users of FabSpace in late 2016, just before Christmas. Most of the user were attracted by the successful opening event. Sascha Heising and Bayzidul Islam hope they will help to spread the word about FabSpace 2.0. On top of that, the two Country Leaders of FabSpace Germany identified a lot of questions, that will help to improve the communication and support strategy of FabSpace Darmstadt and all other European FabSpace. In the beginning of FabSpace daily animation and other support, FabSpace Darmstadt will work on F.A.Q., the section which will be available in the so-called Communication Base (ComBase) in the first quarter of 2017. ComBase will be an exclusive service for German FabSpace users and a recommended but not mandatory part of the local ecosystem. FabSpace Darmstadt team in collaboration with other European partners are looking forward to building up the FabSpace Community.

[Demo Communication Base (ComBase)]

Early user experiences

As the first FabSpace in operation, Darmstadt listens to their early users carefully. While having more than five active users one month after opening FabSpace Darmstadt keeps on a good pace before Christmas break. After the first round of interviews, it shows a very heterogeneous user group, which is actually great. Students, graduates, Start-uppers and also one senior director want to make use out of FabSpace in Germany. Most others are willing to learn and co-create in the field of geo-data driven open innovation.

First problems identified

FabSpace Darmstadt Country leaders also identified first set of problems at very early stage. Most of the problems were a result of insufficient communication but these first interviews helped a lot to improve the communication strategy. “The actual needs that users expecting are not so far from our offers, but we have to precise the extent of support we can offer”, explains Bayzidul Islam from TU Darmstadt. His colleague from cesah GmbH adds “it has to be clear that FabSpace is not a free consulting agency, rather its aim is to enable a free space for open innovation and co-creation”.

Improvement will continue in 2017

While being very close to the users, FabSpace Darmstadt finalizes the agenda for the first quarter of 2017. You will have the opportunity to meet the team at “Aufschwung 2017” in Frankfurt and of course during daily animation in FabSpace Lab at TU Darmstadt. Feel free to contact with the team.