NextFab

What NextFab does

NextFab is a Philadelphia-based, for-profit collaborative makerspace founded in 2008 by Cornell-educated engineer Evan Malone. The company operates a single 60,000-square-foot facility at 1800 North American Street in the Kensington/Fishtown neighborhood, providing members with access to industrial-grade fabrication equipment across nine departments: woodworking, metalworking, laser cutting and engraving, jewelry making, electronics, sewing and leatherworking, 3D printing, 2D printing, and design software. Its core offering is a tiered monthly membership ($129-$149/month, with annual and discounted rates for students, educators, military, seniors, and first responders), supplemented by an Education Credit Package, 24-Hour Access, Adobe at Home, and Shipping & Receiving add-ons; private studio rentals; and a Maker Series cohort program. Approximately 500 members currently use the facility, down from a peak of over 5,000 across multiple locations before the company consolidated to a single site.

The business monetizes through five distinct revenue streams: recurring membership subscriptions, pay-as-you-go classes and private training, studio and equipment rentals, corporate group events and team-building workshops, and equity returns from NextFab Ventures, an investment fund that has deployed over $3 million across 30 portfolio companies. Go-to-market is community-led: prospects convert via website sign-ups, facility tours, monthly Open Houses, quarterly public workshops, signature events (Tools of the Trades conference, Miracle on American Street Market), and the Artisan Accelerator program for emerging artisan entrepreneurs. Distribution is direct-to-consumer with no third-party resellers, augmented by segmented email marketing, paid digital advertising, and SEO targeting the Philadelphia metro.

NextFab has evolved from a single-service makerspace into a broader hard-tech ecosystem by spinning off three wholly-owned subsidiaries: NextFab Ventures (investment fund), Solid Labs (coworking), and Solid Product Design (consulting). The company also operates the Hire a Maker online marketplace, which connects external clients with member freelancers for custom fabrication work. NextFab Studio, LLC is the operating entity; ownership remains founder-controlled with no disclosed institutional capital, and operations are confined to the United States (Pennsylvania).

Name

NextFab

Legal name

NextFab Studio, LLC

Website

https://nextfab.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NextFab is a Philadelphia-based membership makerspace operating a 60,000-square-foot facility with industrial fabrication equipment across nine departments, serving approximately 500 professional makers, hobbyists, and small businesses, while running an investment fund and consulting subsidiaries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Makerspace & Collaborative Workshop Services

akta.pro primary industry

Makerspace, Innovation Lab & Fab Lab Operations (Tools, Safety, Programming) (EDAEAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Makerspaces & Fab Labs (Open Build Studios) (EDAMADAC), 3D Printing, CAD & Digital Fabrication Programs (EDAMADAH), Design & Maker Skills (Graphic Design, Calligraphy, Lettering) (EDAAAGAJ), Science & STEM Lab Equipment & Supplies (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Makerspaces) (EDAEAIAC), Additive Manufacturing Research & Innovation Labs (IMAAAJAA)

Keywords

• Collaborative makerspace
• Digital fabrication tools
• Maker community workspace
• Professional workshop classes
• Hard-tech innovation hub

Headquarters

HQ city

Philadelphia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Recurring monthly or annual membership fees provide access to the makerspace, equipment (upon certification), classes, and member community. Standard membership is $149/month or $134.10/month with annual commitment. Discounted rates available for students, educators, military, seniors, and first responders at $129/month.
2. Classes and Training: Revenue from instructor-led classes, private training sessions, proficiency checks, and the Maker Series cohort programs. Classes range from $59 (1-hour) to $238 (4-hour), private training starts at $60/hr, and Maker Series provides 2-month programs with 5-6 classes plus membership.
3. Membership Add-Ons: Optional add-on services including Education Credit Package ($100/month for 200 credits), Adobe Creative Cloud access ($29/month), Shipping & Receiving ($29/month), and 24-Hour Access ($49/month).
4. Studio Space Rentals: Private workspaces, dedicated jewelry benches, warehouse space, and storage units available for rent to members and subtenants. 24/7 access available with Certificate of Insurance.
5. Corporate Engagement and Group Events: Team building workshops, corporate events, and group activities for businesses, schools, and organizations. Custom programs designed based on group needs and goals.
6. NextFab Ventures Investment Returns: Investment fund that has deployed over $3 million across 30 portfolio companies, generating returns through equity stakes in maker-founded businesses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

NextFab operates a membership-based collaborative makerspace providing physical and digital access to industrial-grade fabrication tools across 9+ departments (woodworking, metalworking, laser cutting, jewelry making, electronics, 3D printing, 2D printing, design software, sewing and leatherworking) within a 60,000-square-foot Philadelphia facility. Members receive tool access, certified training, classes, studio space, and community engagement, supplemented by add-on subscriptions, corporate team building events, and an integrated Hire a Maker freelance marketplace.

Product overview

NextFab operates as a membership-based makerspace providing access to tools, technology, education, events, and services for professional makers. The core offering is the NextFab Makerspace Membership, which grants physical access to a 60,000-square-foot facility in North Philadelphia with equipment across multiple departments including Woodworking, Metalworking, Laser Cutting & Engraving, Jewelry Making, Electronics, Sewing & Leatherworking, 3D Printing, 2D Printing, and Design Software. The membership operates as a platform-plus-modules architecture where the base membership provides core access to the space and equipment, while optional add-on modules customize the experience: Education Credit Package provides prepaid class credits, Adobe at Home offers Creative Cloud software, 24-Hour Access enables round-the-clock facility use, and Shipping & Purchasing Add-On provides business address services. Supporting offerings include Maker Series (cohort-based skill programs), Studio Space Rentals, Hire a Maker (freelance marketplace), Group Events & Corporate Team Building, and Junior Membership for young makers. The business also includes investment arm NextFab Ventures and subsidiary entities Solid Labs (coworking) and Solid Product Design (consulting).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NextFab Ventures: Investment fund that has deployed over $3 million across 30 companies
• Solid Labs
• Solid Product Design

Products and services

• NextFab Makerspace Membership Core membership providing access to a 60,000-square-foot North Philadelphia makerspace with all tools, equipment, workshops, studios, classes, and member community. Tiered pricing includes month-to-month at $149/month and annual contract at $134/month with a 10% discount.
• Junior Membership Membership program for ages 10-17 priced at $30/month, requiring adult supervision. Ages 10-13 are restricted to non-shop areas, while ages 14-17 receive supervised shop access at management discretion.
• Woodworking Department Full woodworking workshop equipped with table saws, band saws, planers, jointers, lathes, ShopBot CNC routers (4ft x 4ft and 5ft x 10ft bed sizes), and hand tools for woodworking projects. Included with membership upon certification.
• Metalworking Department Metalworking facilities including MIG and TIG welders, plasma cutters, metal lathes, vertical mills (Bridgeport and Jet), ironworker, forge, and sheet metal working equipment. Included with membership upon certification.
• Laser Cutting & Engraving Department Laser cutting and engraving services with Trotec Speedy 400 Flex, Trotec 500, and Universal VLS/ILS laser systems supporting wood, acrylic, leather, paper, and select textiles with bed sizes up to 27" x 48".
• Jewelry Making Department Jewelry studio with tools for lost wax casting, silversmithing, stone setting, enameling, and fabrication including electromelt furnace, vacuum casting, hydraulic press, rolling mill, and soldering stations.
• Electronics Department Electronics lab with soldering stations, CNC pick and place machine, reflow ovens, oscilloscopes, function generators, Arduino microcontrollers, and equipment for PCB prototyping and robotics.
• Sewing & Leatherworking Department Textiles department with industrial sewing machines, walking foot machines, leatherworking equipment including splitter, clicker press, and kick press, plus digital embroidery machines.
• 3D Printing Department 3D printing facilities with Bambu A1 and Prusa i3 MK3s printers using FDM technology, supporting PLA, HIPS, ABS, and specialty filaments.
• 2D Printing & Photography Department 2D printing services including Canon large-format printer (44"), vinyl printers (up to 64"), grommet press, heat press, mounting press, and professional scanner.
• Design Software Department CAD/CAM training and software access including Adobe Illustrator, Rhinoceros (Rhino), VCarve, Fusion 360, and Inkscape for digital design and fabrication file preparation.
• Classes and Private Training Instructor-led classes with duration-based pricing ($59 for 1-hour up to $238 for 4-hour classes), private training starting at $60/hour billed in 15-minute increments, and proficiency checks for members with prior experience from other institutions. Catalog includes over 50 on-demand classes plus personalized training.
• Maker Series Two-month cohort-based program providing membership, 5-6 classes, and unlimited shop access in a small group setting with 4 seats per series, offered 3-4 times at the beginning of each quarter for focused skill development.
• Studio Space Rentals Private workspaces, warehouse space for larger projects, dedicated jewelry benches, and storage spaces available for rent to members, with 24/7 access available with a Certificate of Insurance.
• Hire a Maker Online platform connecting clients with skilled local small businesses and freelancers who are NextFab members for custom fabrication and product development services across disciplines.
• Group Events & Corporate Team Building Corporate engagement and group activities including team-building workshops, event space activations, and custom activities for groups from 2 to 200 participants, with programs designed based on group needs and goals.
• NextFab Ventures Investment fund that has deployed over $3 million across 30 portfolio companies as part of the broader hard-tech ecosystem, generating returns through equity stakes in maker-founded businesses emerging from the NextFab community.
• Education Credit Package Monthly add-on at $100/month providing 200 credits per month (worth $200 value) for classes, training, and machine reservations, with credits rolling over monthly but non-refundable and non-transferable.
• 24-Hour Access Add-On Monthly add-on at $49/month granting members 24-hour access to NextFab spaces, tools, and equipment; requires 3 months continuous membership, demonstrated tool proficiency, safety compliance, and Certificate of General Liability Insurance.
• Adobe at Home Monthly add-on at $29/month providing full Adobe Creative Cloud suite for home use including Illustrator, Lightroom, Photoshop, and more.
• Shipping & Purchasing Add-On Monthly add-on at $29/month providing a business address for shipping and receiving packages, including forklifting for freight delivery, and discounts on purchases from NextFab preferred vendor accounts.

Quantifiable outcome

• NextFab Ventures has deployed over $3 million across 30 portfolio companies, demonstrating ecosystem success.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• MakerSpace NYC: New York-based community makerspace offering memberships, classes, and equipment access for fabrication and prototyping. Comparable urban facility serving independent makers and entrepreneurs.
• Artisan's Asylum: Somerville, MA makerspace offering shared access to wood, metal, electronics, textiles, and digital fabrication tools with classes, memberships, and a similar multidisciplinary model. Closely comparable to NextFab in product breadth and member community positioning.
• NYC Resistor: Brooklyn-based member-run makerspace focused on electronics, 3D printing, laser cutting, and crafts with classes and community events. Comparable to NextFab in the intersection of digital fabrication, training, and community-driven membership.
• The Crucible: Oakland, CA industrial arts facility offering classes and open studio access across welding, woodworking, jewelry, ceramics, and digital fabrication. Highly comparable in combining industrial-grade equipment with educational programs and memberships.
• Dallas Makerspace: Texas-based community makerspace providing member access to woodworking, metalworking, electronics, and crafts. Directly comparable community-led model with multi-department facility and class-based training.
• HeatSync Labs: Mesa, AZ community makerspace with classes and equipment access across 3D printing, electronics, woodworking, and metalworking. Comparable multidisciplinary membership model targeting hobbyists and small-business makers.
• The Foundery: Baltimore-based makerspace providing classes, memberships, and fabrication services spanning digital and traditional tools. Comparable to NextFab in serving both creators and small businesses with multi-department access.

Emerging players

• Makeshift: Los Angeles-based community workshop providing tool access, classes, and creative space. Partially comparable to NextFab in combining physical maker access with programming and community events.

Broad incumbents

• Protolabs: Public digital manufacturing service offering on-demand CNC, 3D printing, and injection molding for product developers. Broader incumbent that addresses some of the same prototyping/maker needs as NextFab's facility, but as a service rather than a membership.
• WeWork: Large coworking and flexible office operator that NextFab partly overlaps with via Solid Labs (its coworking spinoff) and corporate team-building events. A broader incumbent in shared workspace rather than a direct maker-tool competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NextFab_PHL
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@NextFabStudio
• Facebookfacebook.com/NextFabStudio
• Instagraminstagram.com/nextfab_phl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nextfab-studio

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments16 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NextFab