Nov 2023
Where Does the Name 7am Come From?
Story
Our Beginnings: The Garage at Fab Lab
7am Research & Ventures traces its roots back to 2017 in a massive commercial garage transformed into a Fab Lab by visionary investors and educators. Fab Labs—a global network of fabrication laboratories originating from MIT’s Center for Bits & Atoms—are designed to empower young innovators with cutting-edge tools and collaborative spaces to bring ambitious ideas to life. It was in this unique environment that a group of 50 young builders, aged 12-18, gathered with one purpose: to create—and to have fun while doing it.
Driven by curiosity and collective excitement, we spent over 16 hours a day, seven days a week, immersed in projects across robotics, engineering, and medical innovation. Our builds ranged from Autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGVs) to Underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), to RGBD cameras in drones for fire rescue, and nanotech drug delivery systems targeting cancer cells. In that garage, an old clock on the wall was frozen at 7 o’clock—a symbol of the timeless dedication that fueled our journey.
Milestones
Along the way, our projects and ventures received backing from various R&D grants, raised millions in funding, backed by Bank of China, and various supportive early-stage investors, and were sponsored to compete on international stages in cities such as Dubai, Boston, Houston, Singapore, Beijing, Abu Dhabi, Madrid, Taipei, Hong Kong, Munich, and more.
Together, we became world champions in the Ultimate Hyperloop Journey, winning the Next BMW competition, earning three consecutive world titles in Robocup, ranking 7th in the Asia-Pacific First Tech Challenge, and placing 6th in International Mate ROV (under water robotics). We also became global finalists and winners at ISEF, Google Science Fairs, TISF, iSWEEEP, and ranked 9th in the International Brain Bee.
Growth and Evolution
As time went on, many of us moved on to top universities and joined leading research labs at Stanford, MIT, and Harvard, while staying true to our roots. Some have since become angel investors, supporting projects in fields we know intimately. These collective experiences and ambitions ultimately led us to formalize 7am Research & Ventures—a place where our community of builders and innovators could continue to grow and create together.
The Birth of 7am Research & Ventures
7am Research & Ventures was founded in 2023 to carry forward the spirit of those early days at the Fab Lab, with a healthier balance. Today, we start our sprints at 7am for a more sustainable pace—though sleepless nights still happen when needed. Our name, “7am,” honors our origins in that garage and the energy that drove us to create through the night until dawn.
What 7am Stands for Today
Today, 7am is a team of researchers, builders, and investors committed to making fun happen by creating impactful solutions. We welcome new members to join us, form studio teams, and tackle fun projects together.