At FCTRY LAb, we constantly innovate to create exciting footwear that turns heads – from fashion models to pro athletes. We’ve setup an end to end resource for creators and brands to build and launch new products – from a world class team to a State of the Art Studio and LAb.

Design studio

• We turn ideas into 2D & 3D visuals, then engineer the design for biomechanics, comfort and fit to create a blueprint for a real shoe.

Prototyping LAb

• This is the place to experiment with your ideas – new materials like sugarcane & coffee beans and crazy shapes & constructions that push the boundaries of imagination. We rapidly iterate with you through multiple design ideas to end up with a wearable shoe that is ready to manufacture.

Manufacturing

• We make small batches in L.A. for testing and feedback, then larger batches at multiple locations globally.

Content & Marketing Studio

• Our AV team films the whole process from design to final product. Our marketing team helps create content for social media & digital marketing.

E-Commerce & Logistics

• You can piggyback on our e-com infrastructure and our global retail relationships to launch product to consumers.

Venture Incubator

• Many creators have shoe dreams, but few can fund it and make it real. We partner with chosen creators to build and launch products together.

Omar Bailey is a trailblazing force in the footwear industry who has helped bridge the gap from conceptual design into physically wearable footwear during his extensive career.  With over 20 years of global product development and manufacturing experience as a design engineer, he built his reputation developing footwear for entertainers such as Jay-Z and Lady Gaga, athletes such as Karim Benzema, José Bautista and Jalen Ramsey, among others. His professional trajectory includes roles at renowned industry brands including New Balance, K-Swiss, Adidas and Timberland. His passion for sneakers led him across the globe - including China, India, and Saudi Arabia - where he immersed himself in the culture and gained a deep understanding of the bridge between design and contract manufacturing. Omar’s journey into the world of footwear design commenced at the age of seven in his parents' New York home, sketching out his earliest designs. Educated at esteemed institutions like the College for Creative Studies in Detroit and the College of Design, Architecture & Art at University of Cincinnati, he honed his craft, pursuing degrees in industrial design.

Abhi Som is the Co-Founder of FCTRY LAb and is based out of Europe and the Gulf and is focused on expanding the company outside the United States.Abhi brings deep experience and understanding in helping finance, build & grow early-stage companies. Prior experience includes being in the M&A/Restructuring group with Lazard in NYC. Post Lazard, Abhi was a founding member of a $230 million NYC based private equity fund which deployed its entire capital in 9 transactions globally. Abhi’s experience in the early-stage space started with his 2 year stint as Managing Director and India Country Head of IEG, a Berlin headquartered early stage investment bank with a presence in 8 countries. More recently Abhi helped create, finance and build two Los Angeles based startups partnering with Hollywood veteran Jack Giarraputo (Co-Founder Happy Madison). Abhi graduated top of his class from Case Western University in Management and Finance with an International Business specialization from the prestigious Universita’ Bocconi in Milan, Italy. He speaks English, Italian, Hindi and Bengali fluently.

Ravi is a Silicon Valley veteran with over 30 years of experience as a CEO, VC, board member, and advisor to startup companies that have created over $1 Billion of enterprise value in exits or IPO's.As a partner in Fog City Capital, Ravi continues to be both an investor and serial entrepreneur.Ravi has a B.S. from UC Berkeley and MBA from the University of Chicago/London Business School.

Satyan offers his experience as a maker, designer and innovator to footwear and apparel industries. He leads creative teams in product creation, from concept designs to wearable prototypes. He played an integral part in the creation of innovative product concepts for Arcteryx, Lululemon, Yeezy & KEEN Footwear.  Growing up in a family of tailors sparked a deep interest in the possibilities of making. With Swahili and India heritage and raised between Africa, Europe and North America, Satyan pushes design boundaries in the product creation process.Satyan holds an Industrial Design Degree from Emily Carr University in Vancouver B.C.