CLICK TO HEAR JACK HALL’S INTERVIEW WITH AUBREY HEALY, INNOVATE MARQUETTE
Innovate Marquette, a service provider that aims to transform the Marquette area into a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, he;ld a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its brand new, state-of-the-art Protolab on Tuesday.
“It’s a specialist prototyping lab,” explained Aubrey Healy from Innovate Marquette, in an interview with RRN News Tuesday. “We have an array of high-tech printers and scanners that allow 2-D designs to become working concept models. Essentially, that could be, coming up with an idea in your head, or taking a napkin drawing, and then using computer aided design. Within 24 hours, you could essentially have a physical concept model in your hands.”
Located on the lower level of the Kaufman Block, the Protolab is a specialized prototyping lab equipped with state-of-the-art 3D printing and scanning technologies. Made possible by the United States Department of Agriculture RISE grant, the Protolab provides Innovate Marquette clients with access to cutting-edge technology to help advance their business ventures. The Protolab supports local entrepreneurs by helping to transform 2D designs into physical prototypes.
Prototyping is critical for entrepreneurs to achieve a sense of clarity around their product, obtain real feedback, work out any underlying design issues, build trust among the market and attract investors. In fact, according to the Copenhagen Business School, moderate-fidelity prototypes (which have addressed issues from early-stage development but still allow for refinement prior to a final model) were the most effective tool in raising capital through crowdfunding campaigns.
The Protolab will allow local entrepreneurs to test their ideas, bring products to market, raise funds and further establish Marquette as an innovation hub.
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