Tikkun Olam Makers

What Tikkun Olam Makers does

Tikkun Olam Makers (TOM) is an international nonprofit founded in 2014 that develops and distributes open-source assistive technologies for people with disabilities. The organization's core platform is a library of over 1,200 customizable solutions developed across 36 countries since inception, built using frugal innovation principles, 3D printing, and distributed manufacturing. TOM targets cost reductions of 80% to 99% versus traditional assistive devices, producing items such as 3D-printed prosthetic leg covers, specialized mobility devices for toddlers with disabilities, and a broad portfolio of adaptive aids that can be locally fabricated and modified by end users.

TOM operates a hub-and-spoke model with its original headquarters in Tel Aviv, Israel and a second international hub, TOMIC NYC, which opened in early 2026 at the Shefa School near Columbus Circle. The organization co-designs solutions with end users through a network of university maker communities, currently engaging six campuses including NYU, Columbia, and Parsons, with stated plans to scale to 25 universities and 150 high schools in the greater New York area. As a nonprofit, TOM does not generate revenue through product sales; its operating model is funded primarily by philanthropic grants, including a $750,000 grant from UJA-Federation of New York to establish the NYC innovation center. Headcount is small (1-10 employees), and the organization's stated long-term goal is to impact 250 million people over the next decade through open-source distribution.

Name

Tikkun Olam Makers

Legal name

Tikkun Olam Makers

Website

https://tomglobal.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Tikkun Olam Makers (TOM) is an international nonprofit that develops and distributes open-source, 3D-printed assistive technologies for people with disabilities, operating dual innovation hubs in Tel Aviv and New York City and funded primarily by philanthropic grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Tel Aviv

HQ country

Israel

HQ region

Middle East

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: Tikkun Olam Makers operates as a nonprofit funded primarily through grants from organizations like UJA-Federation of New York ($750,000 grant for TOMIC NYC). Revenue comes from philanthropic and institutional funding rather than product sales.
2. Open Source Distribution (Non-Profit): As a nonprofit, TOM provides assistive technologies at minimal or no cost through open-source distribution, relying on donations and grants rather than direct revenue generation.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Tikkun Olam Makers (TOM) is a global nonprofit that develops open-source, 3D-printed assistive devices for people with disabilities, co-creating solutions with end users through community Makeathon events and TOMIC innovation centers. Its frugal innovation approach has produced 1,200+ solutions across 36 countries at 80–99% cost reductions versus conventional assistive technology, with the latest expansion supported by a $750,000 UJA-Federation of New York grant funding TOMIC NYC.

Product overview

Tikkun Olam Makers (TOM) is an international nonprofit focused on assistive technology, operating through a hub-and-spoke model with its main innovation center in Tel Aviv, Israel and a new TOMIC NYC Innovation Center in New York City. The organization offers an open-source assistive technologies portfolio comprising over 1,200 customizable solutions developed through frugal innovation and additive manufacturing. Key products include 3D-printed prosthetic devices and specialized mobility devices for toddlers. The company also provides community programming and late-stage product development services through university partnerships across six campuses including NYU, Columbia, and Parsons.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% to 99% cost reduction in assistive device costs through frugal innovation and distributed manufacturing
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• NYU (New York University)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 March 2026One of six university partners collaborating with TOM to engage student makers in designing and distributing assistive technologies. NYU students participate in co-creation of open-source assistive devices through campus maker communities.
• Columbia UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 March 2026University partner providing student maker engagement for assistive technology design and distribution. Columbia students collaborate with TOM on open-source solution development through campus-based programs.
• Parsons School of DesigncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 March 2026Design school partner contributing expertise in human-centered design for assistive technology. Parsons students engage in co-designing customizable open-source devices through TOM's university network.
• The University of AlabamacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with TOM on developing a 3D-printed prosthetic leg cover for Michael Auprince, an elite wheelchair basketball player and assistant coach. University students worked alongside the athlete to create a lightweight, customizable device preventing clothing damage.
• Shefa SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost location for TOMIC NYC innovation center near Columbus Circle. The Shefa School provides physical space for late-stage product development and community programming for assistive technology distribution.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Be My Eyes: Tech-enabled volunteer platform delivering on-demand assistance to blind and low-vision users — comparable AT nonprofit leveraging scalable volunteer networks but focused on vision rather than physical devices.

Broad incumbents

• AbleNet: Established commercial provider of assistive devices, switches, and AAC hardware/software for special education and rehabilitation — overlapping end markets but operating as a for-profit incumbent rather than open-source nonprofit.

Regional players

• SpecialEffect: UK-based charity that adapts gaming and assistive technology for people with disabilities — comparable AT-for-disability mission and donor-supported nonprofit model in a single geography.

Direct peers

• Not Impossible Labs: Social-impact invention lab creating low-cost, open-source assistive technologies (e.g., BrainPort, robotic exoskeletons) targeting disability and accessibility — close analogue in mission and maker-driven R&D.
• e-NABLE: Global volunteer community that designs, open-sources, and 3D-prints low-cost prosthetic hand and arm devices — the closest direct peer to TOM's open-source, distributed-manufacturing model for affordable assistive devices.
• Limbs International: Nonprofit producing affordable prosthetics for amputees in low- and middle-income countries; shares TOM's focus on cost-reduced mobility and assistive devices delivered through partner networks.
• Benetech: Nonprofit technology organization that develops open-source software for social impact, including accessible/assistive literacy and disability inclusion programs — comparable mission and nonprofit-tech operating model.
• Humanity & Inclusion (HI): Large international NGO operating rehabilitation and assistive-technology programs in conflict-affected and low-income countries — peer in global AT distribution at scale but with a more diversified service portfolio.
• Free Wheelchair Mission: Nonprofit that distributes low-cost, durable mobility devices (wheelchairs) to people with disabilities in developing countries — comparable global distribution channel and price-point value proposition.
• Enable Community Foundation: Nonprofit that coordinates volunteer-built 3D-printed prosthetics and assistive devices for amputees in low-resource settings, mirroring TOM's frugal-innovation and open-source distribution approach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TOMakeathon
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tom---tikkun-olam-makers

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Tikkun Olam Makers