The Tampa Bay Advanced Manufacturing & Robotics Center (AMRoC) Fab Lab, is the signature capacity-building program of the the Foundation for Community Driven Innovation (FCDI). Based in Rithm at Uptown, a public urban mall undergoing redevelopment as a mixed-use city center, AMRoC Fab Lab is an 8000 sq. ft. creative space dedicated to bridging the technology, engineering, manufacturing, and industry talent gap through robust project-based learning programs.
At AMRoC Fab Lab, youth and adults can explore science, technology, engineering, manufacturing, and related education and career training opportunities. Youth robotics teams and other STEM competition programs are provided with design, build, practice, and meeting space, and local entrepreneurs can access rapid prototyping and small-scale manufacturing services. The facility includes a machine shop with CNC machines, laser cutters, hand and power tools, a computer lab, STEM Lending Library, Sewing & Textiles Lab, an Electronics Lab, and robotics and drone fields and equipment.
Also operated out of AMRoC Fab Lab is our Equity in Entrepreneurship program, which aims to help bridge the race and gender equity gap in early-stage entrepreneurship to help create more inclusive pathways to the Tampa Bay startup ecosystem. Equinent has helped launch over 35 new small businesses since 2020.
FCDI is working to build out our AMRoC Fab Lab Robotics and Drone programs through the development of a TechSports Center that will act as an ancillary learning center. All funds directly support AMRoC capacity building programs.
