échoFab
Operates a Fab Lab (digital fabrication laboratory) providing public access to 3D printing, CNC machines, and other digital manufacturing tools for prototyping, education, and community innovation projects.
- CEO / Founder
- Cassie L. Rhéaume
- Team Size
- 1-10
- Stage
- Active
- Total Funding
- Undisclosed
- Latest Round
- Grant
- Key Investors
- City of Montreal, PRAM-Est program, Ministère de l'Économie, de la Science et de l'Innovation, PME MTL Est-de-l'Île, Caisse d'économie solidaire Desjardins
Technology & Products
Key Products
3D printing services; CNC machining; Digital fabrication workshops; Prototyping support; Fab Academy/Fabricademy programs; Corporate residency programs; Sustainable manufacturing training
Technological Advantage
Community network effect and established reputation as a pioneer in Canadian Fab Labs; leverages open-source designs and collaborative projects to drive local innovation and skill-building.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Democratizes access to digital fabrication technology, enabling rapid prototyping, skill development, and collaborative innovation at low cost, while promoting sustainable material use and local economic development.
How They Differentiate
Pioneering role as Canada's first MIT-approved Fab Lab with strong community focus and sustainability mission; offers unique programs like corporate residencies and sustainable manufacturing training, unlike generic makerspaces.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Entrepreneurs, students, artists, non-profit organizations, social economy enterprises, public bodies, and local community members
Industry Verticals
Education; Community Development; Arts and Culture; Sustainable Manufacturing; Social Innovation
Competitors
Other Fab Labs in Canada (e.g., Fab Lab du Cégep de Trois-Rivières); Local makerspaces with 3D printing services; Educational institutions with digital fabrication labs
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
Founded in 2011 as a participatory digital manufacturing Fab Lab in Montréal, Québec, operated by Communautique. Notable project 'Banc de quartier' (neighborhood bench) won Fab City Awards 2023. Proposed expansion échoforêt, a new space for digital manufacturing and sustainable development. Demonstrated potential through open-source distributed manufacturing of 35,000 face shields at the beginning of the pandemic.
Major Milestones
Launched in 2013 as first Fab Lab in Canada approved by MIT Fab Foundation; Produced 35,000 face shields via open-source distributed manufacturing during COVID-19 pandemic; Expanded to include échofab Durable branch focusing on sustainable manufacturing