MakerLabs
MakerLabs is a Vancouver-based 26,000 square foot makerspace, founded in 2013, providing individual hobbyists, small businesses, corporate teams, and emerging makers with recurring memberships, pay-per-use access, classes, custom fabrication services, and studio rentals across woodworking, metalworking, laser cutting, CNC, ceramics, electronics, and textile disciplines.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersVancouver, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What MakerLabs does
MakerLabs operates a 26,000 square foot shared fabrication facility at 780 East Cordova Street in East Vancouver, Canada, founded in 2013 by Derek Gaw. The company provides access to a diverse set of professional-grade maker tools and workshop space spanning ten specialized labs: WoodLab, Metal Lab, LaserLab, Ceramics Lab, Textile Lab, Machining Lab, CNC Lab, Electronics Lab, Design Lab, and Co-working Space. Notable capital equipment includes a Full Spectrum 90W CO2 laser cutter (36"x48"), a Wisely 60W fibre laser engraver, a Shopbot PRS Alpha CNC router (48"x96"), BESCUTTER 150W and Laguna 1500W metal laser cutters, and a Tormach PCNC 1100 CNC mill.
The business model is a hybrid platform-plus-modules structure centered on recurring monthly memberships (Weekend Maker at $100/month, Maker at $190/month with 60 minutes of CNC time, Extended Hours at $265/month, and 24/7 at $350/month). Supplementary revenue streams include drop-in tool access ($30-$45/day or $2-$15/unit-time), safety and orientation classes required for tool use ($85-$175 for members), project-based workshops ($50-$250), custom fabrication services ($2.50-$40/minute depending on tool and turnaround tier, plus $150-$300/hour custom work), corporate team building workshops ($50-$175/person), dedicated studio space rentals ($3.50-$5/sqft/month), and two structured 2-month residency programs ($600 and $925 + tax). Customer segments span individual hobbyists/makers (primary), small business operators and artists, corporate teams, and emerging makers seeking structured skill development through residency cohorts capped at four residents.
Distribution is exclusively local and direct: walk-in traffic at the physical site, online bookings via the Amilia self-serve platform, email-based corporate sales, and Airtable-form fabrication quote requests. Go-to-market is community-led, anchored by recurring events (Monthly Maker Meetup Night, Queer Maker Meetup, Tools for Change Showcase), earned media in The Globe and Mail, CBC, Vancouver Economic Commission, and Scout Magazine, and organic social. The operation is supported by a very small team (1-10 employees), with no disclosed institutional funding, no parent company, and no acquisitions — making MakerLabs a profitable or break-even founder-led small business rather than a venture-backed entity.
MakerLabs firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MakerLabs
- Legal name
- MakerLabs
- Website
- https://makerlabs.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- MakerLabs is a Vancouver-based 26,000 square foot makerspace, founded in 2013, providing individual hobbyists, small businesses, corporate teams, and emerging makers with recurring memberships, pay-per-use access, classes, custom fabrication services, and studio rentals across woodworking, metalworking, laser cutting, CNC, ceramics, electronics, and textile disciplines.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MakerLabs industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Makerspace and Fabrication Services
- NAICS
- Machine Shops (33271)
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Products (3490)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Makerspaces & Fab Labs (Open Build Studios) (EDAMADAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- 3D Printing, CAD & Digital Fabrication Programs (EDAMADAH), Science & STEM Lab Equipment & Supplies (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Makerspaces) (EDAEAIAC)
Keywords
Where MakerLabs is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Vancouver
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
MakerLabs business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Membership Subscriptions: Month-to-month membership tiers providing access to the makerspace, tools, and workshops. Members receive discounts on services, classes, and materials. Tiers range from Weekend Maker ($100/month) to 24/7 access ($350/month). Includes varying amounts of DIY CNC machine time.
- Drop-in Tool Usage: Pay-per-use access to tools and labs without membership. Rates include $45/day for WoodLab or MetalLab, $30/day for other labs, $2/min for LaserLab/CNC Router, $10/hour for Welding, and $2/printing hour for 3D printing.
- Educational Classes: Safety & orientation classes required for tool access, ranging from $85-$175 for members and $115-$205 for non-members. Project-based workshops range from $50-$250 plus GST. Classes include WoodLab, LaserLab, Ceramics, CNC Router, Metalworking, Electronics, and Textile courses.
- Team Building Workshops: Corporate team building workshops priced at $50-$175 per person with minimum group requirements. Activities include Handmade Candle Holder, Simple Charcuterie Board, Giant Jenga, Cutting Board, CNC Desktop Organizer, Laser Cut Coasters, and Ceramic Sushi Set.
- Fabrication Services: Custom fabrication services including laser cutting ($2.50-$5/minute), CNC machining ($3-$6/minute), metal laser cutting ($20-$40/minute), and woodworking/metalworking/design work ($150-$300/hour). Rush and same-day services available at premium rates.
- Studio Space Rental: Dedicated studio spaces for members at $3.50-$5/sqft/month depending on floor location. Short-term storage at $1.75/sqft/week. Maker Studio Affiliate membership at $100/month for guests of studio members.
- Tools for Change Residency: 2-month residency program for women and non-binary makers at $600 + tax. Includes extended hours membership, dedicated studio space, 4 tool orientations, elective class, and platform for exhibiting work.
- Woodworking Residency: 2-month woodworking residency at $925 + tax. Includes all materials for side table project, 5 woodworking classes (WoodLab 101, 102, 201, Table Saw 101, Lathe 101), instructor guidance, and mentorship during second month.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Weekend Maker Membership - Saturday & Sunday access, Noon to 9pm |
| Subscription | Monthly | Maker Membership - 7 days/week, 12pm-9pm access with 60 minutes CNC time |
| Subscription | Monthly | Extended Hours Maker Membership - 7 days/week, 9am-9pm |
| Subscription | Monthly | 24/7 Maker Membership - Continuous access |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Drop-in Maker - Daily access rates |
| Subscription | Monthly | Clay Maker Membership - Ceramics Lab access only |
| Subscription | Monthly | Studio Affiliate Membership - Studio and quiet work space access |
| Subscription | Monthly | Second Floor Studio - Noise/dust-free spaces |
| Subscription | Monthly | First Floor (non-WoodLab) Studio |
| Subscription | Monthly | First Floor WoodLab Studio |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Short Term Storage |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Safety & Orientation Classes (e.g., WoodLab 101) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Advanced & Specialized Classes |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Project-Based Workshops |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Team Building Workshops |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Laser Cutting Fabrication |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | CNC Machining Fabrication |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Metal Laser Cutting |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Woodworking, Metalworking & Design Work |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Tools for Change Residency - 2 months |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Woodworking Residency - 2 months |
| Other | Monthly | Facilities Coordinator (Part-time) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
MakerLabs product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MakerLabs operates a 26,000 sq ft Vancouver-based makerspace providing shared access to professional-grade fabrication equipment (laser cutters, CNC routers/mills, woodworking and metalworking tools, ceramics studio, electronics lab, 3D printers, and textile equipment). Revenue is generated through tiered monthly memberships, drop-in tool usage, safety and project-based classes, custom fabrication services (laser cutting, CNC machining, metal laser cutting, custom woodworking/metalworking), studio space rentals, corporate team-building workshops, and two-month residency programs.
Product overview
MakerLabs is a 26,000 square foot Vancouver-based makerspace founded in 2013 that provides tools, space, and skills for members to make almost anything. The offering is organized as a platform-plus-modules architecture centered around membership programs (Weekend Maker, Maker, Extended Hours Maker, and 24/7 Maker Memberships) that provide access to shared workshop facilities. Supporting modules include Safety & Orientation Classes for tool-specific training, Project Based Workshops for hands-on skill-building, Fabrication Services (laser cutting, CNC machining, metal laser cutting, custom woodworking/metalworking), Team Building Workshops, Studio Spaces for rent, Tool Bookings, Space Bookings, and two residency programs (Tools for Change for empowering women and diverse genders, and Woodworking Residency for beginners). The physical space comprises multiple specialized labs: WoodLab, Metal Lab, LaserLab, Ceramics Lab, Textile Lab, Machining Lab, CNC Lab, Electronics Lab, Design Lab, and Co-working Space. The company generates revenue through memberships, class fees, studio rentals, fabrication services, and space bookings.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Tools for Change: A residency program focusing on empowering women and people of diverse genders to use the tools at MakerLabs in a comfortable and supportive environment.
- Woodworking Residency
Products and services
- Makerspace Membership Programs Month-to-month subscription memberships (Weekend Maker $100/month, Maker $190/month, Extended Hours $265/month, 24/7 $350/month, Clay Maker, Studio Affiliate) granting access to MakerLabs' tools, workshops, and labs with varying hours and CNC machine time. Includes member discounts on classes and services.
- Studio Space Rentals
Quantifiable outcome
- 26,000 sq ft of equipped workshop space
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use MakerLabs
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
MakerLabs technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
MakerLabs partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
MakerLabs competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Maker's Row: Online marketplace connecting brands and designers with US-based manufacturers and fabricators. Adjacent ecosystem player that channels SMB fabrication demand away from local makerspaces like MakerLabs.
Direct peers
- Noisebridge: San Francisco community hackerspace offering free/donation-based access to electronics, laser cutters, 3D printers, and woodworking tools. Comparable member-driven, community-led GTM model targeting hobbyists and tinkerers.
- Artisan's Asylum: Large independent community makerspace in Somerville, MA offering memberships, classes, fabrication services, and studio space across woodworking, metal, electronics, and textiles. Operates a near-identical hybrid membership-plus-services model to MakerLabs in a comparable mid-density urban setting.
- Xometry: Digital marketplace for on-demand CNC machining, laser cutting, 3D printing, and sheet metal fabrication. Directly competes with MakerLabs' fabrication services stream for SMB and enterprise custom-parts orders.
- Asmbly: Austin, TX makerspace formed from the merger of ATX Hackerspace and Austin MakerSpace, offering memberships, classes, and shared tool access in wood, metal, textiles, and electronics. Closely mirrors MakerLabs' multi-disciplinary community structure.
- Protolabs: On-demand digital manufacturing service providing CNC machining, sheet metal, and rapid prototyping to SMBs and enterprises. Competes with MakerLabs' fabrication services for the same Vancouver SMB customer base.
- NYC Resistor: Brooklyn-based community makerspace and hackerspace offering memberships, classes, and shared access to laser cutters, CNC, electronics, and 3D printers. Directly comparable member-driven model focused on learning and project-based making.
Broad incumbents
- Glowforge: Consumer/desktop laser cutter company selling in-home fabrication tools to hobbyists and small businesses. Indirectly threatens MakerLabs' value proposition by enabling at-home laser cutting and engraving for serious users.
- Formlabs: Manufacturer of professional desktop SLA and SLS 3D printers widely used by makers, designers, and SMBs. Competes indirectly by enabling prosumer-grade 3D printing outside the makerspace model.
Regional players
- Vancouver Hack Space: Community hackerspace/makerspace also based in Vancouver, BC providing shared access to tools, electronics, and fabrication equipment. Most direct local competitor for MakerLabs' membership base in the same metro area.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
MakerLabs social profiles
Digital presenceMakerLabs financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MakerLabs leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
MakerLabs funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MakerLabs M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about MakerLabs
What does MakerLabs do?
MakerLabs operates a 26,000 sq ft Vancouver-based makerspace providing shared access to professional-grade fabrication equipment (laser cutters, CNC routers/mills, woodworking and metalworking tools, ceramics studio, electronics lab, 3D printers, and textile equipment). Revenue is generated through tiered monthly memberships, drop-in tool usage, safety and project-based classes, custom fabrication services (laser cutting, CNC machining, metal laser cutting, custom woodworking/metalworking), studio space rentals, corporate team-building workshops, and two-month residency programs.
Is MakerLabs a public or private company?
MakerLabs is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was MakerLabs founded?
MakerLabs was founded in 2013. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is MakerLabs based?
MakerLabs is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, in the North America region.
How does MakerLabs make money?
Eight revenue lines are on record. Membership Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are drop-in Tool Usage, educational Classes, team Building Workshops, fabrication Services, studio Space Rental, tools for Change Residency and woodworking Residency.
Who are MakerLabs's main competitors?
Maker's Row is listed as an others. Direct peers are Noisebridge, Artisan's Asylum, Xometry, Asmbly, Protolabs and NYC Resistor. Broad incumbents are Glowforge and Formlabs. Vancouver Hack Space is listed as a regional player.
Does MakerLabs have an API?
No public API is recorded for MakerLabs.
What industry is MakerLabs in?
MakerLabs's product category is Makerspace and Fabrication Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMADAC, Makerspaces & Fab Labs (Open Build Studios), with a secondary code of EDAMADAH, 3D Printing, CAD & Digital Fabrication Programs. Its NAICS code is 33271 and its SIC code is 3490.