CAMBRIDGE, MA--(Marketwire - February 7, 2011) - On February 16, the MIT Enterprise Forum of Cambridge will present "Mass Customization: Massachusetts' Hidden Tech Cluster," which will feature a panel moderated by Katie Rae of investment firm Project11 and director of TechStars Boston, and demonstrations by local companies Artaic, Blank Label, CloudFab, Custom Made, FashionPlaytes, F.Rock, Gemvara, Loom Decor and Zyrra. This event has been rescheduled from its original date of January 12.
Mass-customization combines individual consumer desires with mass production pricing. The Internet and automated manufacturing systems are fueling the growth of these businesses in order to enable consumers to customize everything from jewelry and clothing to books. The trend is also fueling the growth of businesses that identify individual consumer needs not previously met and create products to meet those requirements.
Panel Moderator:
- Katie Rae is the founder of Project11, a firm that invests in and assists early-stage startups, and the director of TechStars Boston.
Panelists:
- Ted Acworth is the CEO and founder of Artaic, a site that allow customers to design their own mosaics.
- Sharon Kan is a co-founder of Tikatok, a site that provides consumers with the ability to author and publish children's books.
- Matt Lauzon is the founder and president of Gemvara, a site that enables consumers to design their own jewelry.
- Sarah McIlroy is the CEO and founder of FashionPlaytes, an online clothing design studio for girls ages 5-12.
- Sung Park is the president and founder of Umagination Labs, a partnership that identifies and develops new products for consumers.
- Michael Salguero is the CEO and co-founder of CustomMade.com, a Web site that connects customers with artisans who work to design a project crafted individually for them.
Demonstrations:
- Artaic custom mosaic design and fabrication.
- Blank Label allows consumers to co-create their own dress shirt.
- CloudFab directly integrates customers' designs into 3D printing for websites and applications.
- Custom Made connects expert artisans with discerning customers who work with a maker to design a project crafted individually for them.
- FashionPlaytes an online clothing design studio for girls ages 5-12.
- F. Rock allows consumers to design their own bags that are made locally.
- Gemvara enables consumers to design their own jewelry.
- Loom Decor is digital shopping experience that helps users create personalized looks for their home.
- Zyrra enables women to design and order custom made bras.
The evening will be sponsored by Hamilton Brook Smith Reynolds.
When: Wednesday, February 16, 2011
5:30pm: Networking mixer & appetizers
6:15-8:00pm: Program
8:00-9:00pm: Networking reception
Where: MIT Stata Center (Building 32), Kirsch Auditorium, 32 Vassar St., Cambridge, MA
Registration and information: http://www.mitforumcambridge.org/uncategorized/mass-customization-massachusetts-hidden-tech-cluster/
Pricing: Forum members: $25, Non-members: $45. Students from all universities are free with college ID. Pre-registration is encouraged.
Contact Information:
MIT ENTERPRISE FORUM OF CAMBRIDGE
CONTACT:
Trish Fleming
MIT Enterprise Forum of Cambridge
617-253-8240