First up is CloudFab, a company I have been close to since its inception. I was initially very skeptical about the prospects for the success of this company, but I am very impressed with what the entrepreneurs, Nick Pinkston and Steve Klabnik, have been able to build.
The idea is to democratize “distributed desktop manufacturing” by allowing producers of hard goods to access high-tech 3D manufacturing equipment such as 3D printers, CAD machines, etc. Looks like they are going to launch to the public early next year.
They are a bit silent on the market size, but this is a tough one to figure out – since they are building out a new market, it grows as they grows. The biggest rub I have with their business plan is that the market feels small, and seems evolutionary, not revolutionary. Their revenue projections in the low millions over the next several years bear this out.
Nick is clearly passionate about this, and he is a robust entrepreneur – so I think he will be able to handle the “tacking” that is required to navigate the waters in a business like this. Both Nick and Steve are great hackers and makers – I am rooting for their success.