Empowering Innovation: WeWork Labs Partners with Formlabs and Glowforge to Supercharge Startup Prototyping

WeWork Labs, a pivotal program established by WeWork, is dedicated to nurturing early-stage startups by providing them with essential workspace and a robust learning environment. Initially launched in 2011, the program was revitalized seven years later, after a period where other company initiatives took precedence. Since its relaunch, WeWork Labs has emerged as an indispensable platform and a critical launching pad for countless entrepreneurs, creators, and makers who often lack the extensive resources needed to transform their innovative visions into tangible realities. This commitment to fostering nascent businesses has now been significantly bolstered by an exciting new strategic partnership. WeWork has announced a collaboration with two leading companies in digital fabrication: Formlabs, renowned for its advanced 3D printing technology, and Glowforge, a pioneer in accessible laser cutting solutions. This alliance aims to integrate cutting-edge 3D printers and laser cutters directly into select WeWork Labs locations, dramatically enhancing the capabilities available to its member startups.

This groundbreaking collaboration will see Formlabs and Glowforge hardware strategically deployed across numerous WeWork Labs facilities, both within the U.S. and internationally. The initiative is a direct response to the evolving needs of modern startups, many of whom require immediate access to rapid prototyping and production tools to accelerate their development cycles. Katie Perkins, Creative Director at WeWork Labs, underscored the program’s foundational philosophy: “We see WeWork Labs as a vibrant platform for creators, innovators, and makers alike. We firmly believe that partnering with industry leaders like Glowforge and Formlabs will significantly empower our members, granting them unparalleled opportunities to truly bring their most ambitious ideas to life. We are incredibly enthusiastic to welcome these two leading brands and their exceptional products into our community, thereby giving our existing creators direct access to the advanced tools they require, while simultaneously inspiring a new generation of aspiring creators to embrace the role of makers themselves.” This statement highlights WeWork Labs’ dedication to democratizing access to sophisticated manufacturing technologies, fostering an environment where innovation is not just encouraged, but actively facilitated through tangible resources.

Formlabs’ Form 2 3D printers | Credits: WeWork

The integration of Formlabs’ highly acclaimed Form 2 3D printer represents a significant leap forward for WeWork Labs members. Known for its ability to deliver high-resolution, intricate parts, the Form 2 will enable startups to dramatically scale their in-house prototyping and small-batch production efforts through accessible desktop stereolithography (SLA) technology. Stereolithography is an additive manufacturing process that uses a UV laser to solidify liquid resin layer by layer, creating highly detailed and smooth objects. This precision is crucial for hardware startups developing complex components, functional prototypes, or even end-use parts where aesthetics and accuracy are paramount. The Form 2’s extensive library of over 20 advanced material resins further broadens its utility, allowing members to experiment with various mechanical properties, including durable, flexible, castable, dental, and biocompatible options, ensuring that their parts meet specific functional and aesthetic requirements. This direct access bypasses the traditional bottlenecks and high costs associated with outsourcing prototyping, giving startups unprecedented control over their design iteration cycles and significantly accelerating their time to market.

Complementing the additive capabilities of 3D printing, Glowforge brings its revolutionary 3D laser printer – a wireless desktop laser cutter – to the WeWork Labs ecosystem. Headquartered in Seattle, Glowforge has redefined accessibility in subtractive manufacturing. Their innovative laser cutters empower designers, artists, and makers to effortlessly transition their digital designs into physical reality. This is achieved by precisely cutting and engraving a vast array of durable materials, including but not limited to wood, leather, acrylic, stone, fabric, and even stickers. Unlike 3D printing which builds up material, laser cutting removes material, making it ideal for creating enclosures, customized signage, intricate artistic pieces, or personalized products. The ease of use, coupled with the precision of laser technology, means that members can rapidly produce professional-grade items for branding, product housing, or unique consumer goods. The synergy between Formlabs’ 3D printers and Glowforge’s laser cutters provides a comprehensive digital fabrication toolkit, allowing startups to tackle diverse challenges from creating robust functional prototypes to designing polished, market-ready products with unprecedented speed and versatility.

Max Lobovsky, CEO and co-founder at Formlabs, eloquently articulated the profound impact of this partnership, drawing from his own experiences as a hardware entrepreneur. “WeWork set out to create entrepreneurial community spaces where mindshare and creativity could be shared and flourish,” Lobovsky stated. “I know the struggles hardware startups go through intimately, and it’s truly gratifying to know that we are directly helping someone make something they passionately believed should exist in the world. This partnership with WeWork is poised to significantly expand access and development opportunities for a broad spectrum of companies, from early to mid-stage, and that prospect makes me incredibly excited to witness the innovative breakthroughs these companies are undoubtedly going to achieve.” His sentiment resonates deeply with the core challenges faced by hardware startups, which often include prohibitively high equipment costs, long lead times for external manufacturing, and a steep learning curve for complex tools. By providing readily accessible, professional-grade 3D printing capabilities, Formlabs, through WeWork Labs, is effectively lowering these barriers, fostering an environment where innovation can truly accelerate and take physical form without excessive capital expenditure.

Glowforge’s laser 3D printer

Echoing this enthusiasm, Dan Shapiro, CEO of Glowforge, further emphasized the transformative potential of the collaboration. “We are thrilled to partner with WeWork Labs to provide their vibrant community of entrepreneurs and startups alike with direct access to the sophisticated tools that will be instrumental in helping them create everything from compelling corporate giveaways and cutting-edge new product prototypes to efficient full production runs,” Shapiro affirmed. “This collaboration truly encapsulates the journey from an initial dream or concept to its ultimate physical creation.” The combined power of Formlabs’ precise 3D printers and Glowforge’s versatile laser cutters means that WeWork Labs members are equipped to handle a wide spectrum of manufacturing needs in-house. This includes rapid iteration of prototypes to fine-tune designs, producing unique promotional items to build brand identity, or even setting up small-scale production lines for specialized products. The ability to move seamlessly from digital design to physical output within the same collaborative environment significantly streamlines the product development lifecycle, empowering startups to test, refine, and launch their innovations with unprecedented agility.

This strategic alliance between WeWork Labs, Formlabs, and Glowforge is more than just providing equipment; it’s about building an ecosystem that fosters tangible innovation. It positions WeWork Labs not merely as a co-working space, but as a dynamic innovation hub where ideas are not only conceived but actively brought to life. The democratization of advanced manufacturing tools like high-resolution 3D printers and versatile laser cutters significantly lowers the entry barrier for hardware development, allowing ambitious entrepreneurs to compete on a more level playing field. This access is particularly vital for startups that might otherwise be hindered by the prohibitive costs and logistical complexities associated with industrial-grade manufacturing. By providing a fertile ground for experimentation, iteration, and creation, WeWork Labs is playing a crucial role in accelerating product development cycles and enabling startups to bring groundbreaking products to market faster. This collaborative model has the potential to redefine how hardware innovations are developed, fostering a new era of rapid, accessible, and inclusive entrepreneurship.

The future impact of such partnerships is vast, pointing towards a trend where co-working spaces evolve beyond mere office provision into comprehensive resource centers for modern businesses. By integrating technologies that are at the forefront of digital fabrication, WeWork Labs empowers its members to overcome critical hurdles in product development, from early conceptualization to final production. This approach not only supports individual startups but also contributes to a more vibrant and competitive global innovation landscape. The accessibility of these tools within a supportive community environment provides a unique advantage, fostering cross-pollination of ideas and expertise among members. As startups continue to push the boundaries of technology and design, access to professional-grade hardware becomes increasingly critical, and this partnership ensures that WeWork Labs members are at the cutting edge. It truly marks a significant milestone in enabling the next generation of physical products and groundbreaking inventions to emerge from entrepreneurial garages and co-working spaces alike.

What are your thoughts on this exciting new partnership between WeWork Labs, Formlabs, and Glowforge, and its potential to revolutionize startup development? We invite you to share your insights in a comment below or join the discussion on our Facebook and Twitter pages. To stay informed about all the latest developments in the world of 3D printing and digital fabrication, don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter, delivering cutting-edge news directly to your inbox!