Edmonton Makerspace Report Prepared by Carmen Douville for Edmonton Economic Development Corporation Make Something Edmonton / Startup Edmonton March 2015
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EDMONTON MAKERSPACE REPORT PREPARED BY CARMEN DOUVILLE FOR EDMONTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION MAKE SOMETHING EDMONTON / STARTUP EDMONTON MARCH 2015 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Significant thanks to the individuals and organizations that helped contribute to this report by supplying data, personal experiences and knowledge about making and makerspaces. Particular thanks to those makers in the Edmonton community who donated their time to be interviewed, as well as the following organizations who opened their doors and shared their expertise and experiences: The Makers Nation, The Shop, Helios, AssentWorks, Tool Library Toronto and TechShop-San Francisco. 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .............................................................................................................................. 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................................................. 3 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................... 5 MISSION STATEMENT ..................................................................................................................................... 6 2. PROJECT BACKGROUND ....................................................................................... 7 MAKERSPACE DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................................................ 7 VENTURE ANALYSIS: MAKERSPACE BUSINESS MODEL AND OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH .......................................... 9 ANALYSIS OF MAKERSPACE MODELS ................................................................................................................ 9 3. EDMONTON CONTEXT ....................................................................................... 13 PROJECT ORIGINS ....................................................................................................................................... 13 MARKET ANALYSIS ....................................................................................................................................... 13 MARKET DEMAND ANALYSIS ......................................................................................................................... 14 4. PRODUCTS AND SERVICES .................................................................................. 19 MEMBERSHIPS ............................................................................................................................................ 19 HOURS OF OPERATION ................................................................................................................................ 19 TOOLS, TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT ......................................................................................................... 19 WORKSHOPS .............................................................................................................................................. 20 CO-WORKING, STUDIOS AND OFFICES ........................................................................................................... 20 STORAGE RENTALS ...................................................................................................................................... 21 CONSUMABLES STORE ................................................................................................................................. 21 STOREFRONT FOR MAKERS ........................................................................................................................... 21 IN-HOUSE FABRICATION TEAM ...................................................................................................................... 21 TOOL LIBRARY ............................................................................................................................................. 21 5. SCALE OF MAKERSPACES ................................................................................... 22 6.OPERATIONS ....................................................................................................... 23 MAKERSPACE BUSINESS STRUCTURES ............................................................................................................. 23 FACILITY AND LOCATION .............................................................................................................................. 25 DIVISIONS OF SPACE .................................................................................................................................... 25 STAFFING ................................................................................................................................................... 26 CONTRACT STAFF ....................................................................................................................................... 27 INSURANCE ................................................................................................................................................ 28 SAFETY, SECURITY, GUIDELINES AND RULES ..................................................................................................... 28 SWOT ANALYSIS .......................................................................................................................................... 29 7. FINANCIAL ANALYSIS ......................................................................................... 30 STARTUP EXPENSES ..................................................................................................................................... 30 FUNDING A MAKERSPACE ............................................................................................................................. 30 FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS ............................................................................................................................. 30 8. MARKETING STRATEGIES .................................................................................... 32 9. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ..................................................................................... 33 10. FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................ 34 3 10. CONCLUSION ................................................................................................... 39 REFERENCES AND RESOURECES .............................................................................................................. 40 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................................... 40 RESOURCES ................................................................................................................................................ 43 APPENDIX ................................................................................................................................................... 44 EDMONTON ORGANIZATIONS ....................................................................................................................... 44 NON LOCAL MAKERSPACES VISITED & ENGAGED DESIGNERS AND ORGANIZATIONS ............................................. 44 LOCAL MAKERS INTERVIEWED ....................................................................................................................... 44 TOOLS, TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT ......................................................................................................... 49 APPROXIMATE COST OF SELECT TOOLS .......................................................................................................... 51 WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS ........................................................................................................................... 52 DIVISIONS OF SPACE .................................................................................................................................... 53 BROAD COST GUIDELINE .............................................................................................................................. 54 EXAMPLE OF WAIVER FORM PROVIDED BY HELIOS ............................................................................................ 55 EXAMPLE OF STUDIO AGREEMENT PROVIDED BY HELIOS ................................................................................... 58 4 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report outlines research conducted by Carmen Douville for Make Something Edmonton on the makers’ economy in Edmonton, the needs of this industry and an analysis of gaps in the market. Additionally, the report includes discovery and market analysis of the feasibility of a makerspace in Edmonton. It concludes by outlining the needs, feasibility and recommended process to move forward with a makerspace in Edmonton. Community research and interviews were conducted with 70 Edmonton makers. Their background and experience varied and included: • architects • industrial designers • artists, engineers • landscape architects • bicycle frame builders • metal workers • biomedical engineers and • millworkers • ceramists • physical computer engineers • computer scientists • set designers • crafters • shoe designers • hardware developers • small construction companies • hobbyists • woodworkers Additional analysis and research was conducted via case studies and online databases. After detailed analysis, there is a clear need for a makerspace in Edmonton. Edmonton Economic Development Corporation, Make Something