Q&A with Ali from Fabricad

What is your business idea?

Our business idea is basically the equivalent of Price Runner for the 3D printing industry. We want to create a sustainable planet for the future generations by making the 3D printing industry more efficient and less expensive. Since 3D printing allows for local production of industrial and functional parts that significantly reduce material waste generally from 85% in common manufacturing techniques to a staggering 2%, currently the process of ordering a 3D component, designing, and printing is to a large extent completely manual, highly expensive for both costumers and manufacturers, and extremely inefficient. With our online service customers will be able to find 3D printing suppliers, get an instant quote, place an order, and pay, all in a few clicks.

How did you come up with your business idea?

We came up with this idea, because we faced significant delays and challenges when we wanted to send a 3D component to a manufacturer and get it printed. Additionally, the prices were extremely high. After several group discussions, we concluded that by combining our scientific, technological, and business development expertise, it would be possible to develop a system that can solve many of the current issues in this area.

What is the most exciting part about being an entrepreneur? 

It is the fact that we are constantly meeting new and enthusiastic individuals that are determined to make a difference in the world by innovation. Moreover, it is also a great pleasure to learn something new as an entrepreneur every single day and tackle new and unexpected challenges.

What has been your biggest success so far? 

Our greatest success as a company has been the development of a fully functional digital web-plugin system that can be utilized by costumers and manufacturers. This digital system solves many of the current issues in 3D printing service such as extremely long deliveries and high prices.

What has been your biggest challenge so far? 

Marketing our idea and company has been the biggest challenge, although we have started collaboration with a 3D printing manufacturer, we are still working intensely in finding costumers.

How do you use your academic skills as an entrepreneur?

My analytical background as a science and math student has helped me in approaching new business challenges in a systematic fashion to maximize efficiency and productivity. Moreover, mathematical modelling, programming, and self-studying skills has also advanced my entrepreneurship journey.

Time management skills that I have learned as a student has also been extremely useful in meeting business deadlines.

How do you manage to combine your startup with your studies? 

It is always challenging to find the right balance between being a student and having a business. Nonetheless, I have learned to work on our start up every day as much as time permits, sometimes it might be just 10 minutes, but it is important for me to keep the workflow during the week to stay motivated and focused. It is also important to note, that many times sacrifices are important to make progress in studies, business, and life in general. For instance, sometimes I miss a social event due to an upcoming meeting. but I also try to work harder during the week to not miss a social gathering due to work or study, so that some degree of balance is maintained between private and professional life.

I try to concentrate and prioritize the most important events and deadlines. I would like to summarize with a quote by the great philosopher Seneca

‘’He who is everywhere is nowhere’’. 

Where is your startup today, and where do you see your startup going in the future? 

Currently we have started a collaboration with the company Syndikatet in Aalborg to implement the developed digital platform for receiving of orders and processing of transactions, Syndikatet has the capability of 3D printing, so our combined effort serves both as a pilot test for our platform and business expansion. In the future we aim to move beyond Denmark and collaborate with international companies in order to provide the best service for costumers.

What is your best advice for other students who are considering becoming entrepreneurs? 

You don’t have to be good to start… you must start to be good. My suggestion would be to start as soon as you can and not be frightened by failures and challenges, you should enjoy the journey and learn as much as you can, your first idea might fail, but you have gained the knowledge and experience for free, and you can use that in your future business development.