SFMade.org
SFMade is a San Francisco-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that stewards the Bay Area manufacturing ecosystem by providing free business advising, workshops, youth workforce programs, and policy advocacy to a network of over 800 local manufacturers sustaining more than 15,000 jobs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What SFMade.org does
SFMade (legal entity SFMade, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2010 that serves as the designated steward of the San Francisco Bay Area manufacturing ecosystem. The organization connects a network of more than 800 local manufacturers across San Francisco, San Jose, the East Bay, and additional Bay Area counties (San Mateo, Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Sonoma) — a network it states sustains more than 15,000 jobs. SFMade operates three programmatic pathways: Consumer Products (advising entrepreneurs and growing businesses in food and beverage, apparel, home goods, and personal care), Advanced Manufacturing (supporting machine shops, medical devices, food production, and electronics using technology and automation), and Youth Programs (introducing high school students to manufacturing careers via the FlexFactor K-12 program, internships, factory tours, and career panels).
SFMade's service portfolio comprises free 1:1 business advising on pricing, packaging, compliance, operations, and sales channels; workshops and forums on pertinent operational topics; a public Makers' Directory of 800+ manufacturers searchable by industry and county; an industry Job Board; policy and advocacy at city and state level; signature events (annual Here/Now, Celebrate MFG South Bay, Manufacturing Week Factory Tours, Holiday Pop-Up Store); and resources including the Fashion Pipeline Manufacturing Guide, Inventory Management Guide, Food & Beverage Manufacturing Guide, and Access to Capital Guide. The organization develops no proprietary technology products and operates on a freemium model with no membership fees.
SFMade's revenue model is entirely grant-, sponsorship-, and donation-based. Primary funding comes from government grants (city, state, federal — including the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development and CalOSBA), foundation grants (e.g., Sobrato Family Foundation), corporate sponsorships (PG&E, JPMorgan Chase, BMO, Block, Prologis), individual donations channeled to a Small Business Fund, and special events revenue. The organization's FY2024 annual budget is disclosed at $2.1 million, with 11–50 employees and a single headquarters at 150 Hooper Street, Unit 200, San Francisco. Leadership transitioned to Interim CEO Joyce Shulman (Chief of Programs Paawan Kothari remains in place); Steve Sellers is referenced as a prior CEO.
SFMade.org firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SFMade.org
- Legal name
- SFMade, Inc.
- Website
- https://sfmade.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- SFMade is a San Francisco-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that stewards the Bay Area manufacturing ecosystem by providing free business advising, workshops, youth workforce programs, and policy advocacy to a network of over 800 local manufacturers sustaining more than 15,000 jobs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where SFMade.org is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
SFMade.org business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Government Grants: SFMade's primary funding stream is government grants from city, state, and federal sources. The organization actively manages agency relationships and compliance requirements across the full grant lifecycle.
- Foundation and Corporate Grants: SFMade receives support from foundations (e.g., Sobrato Family Foundation) and corporate funders (e.g., PG&E). Funding is used to support programming, youth workforce initiatives, and organizational operations.
- Corporate Sponsorships: SFMade sells sponsorships for its events and programs, including its flagship Here/Now annual event (May), Celebrate MFG South Bay event (October), Manufacturing Week Factory Tours, and Youth Programs. Corporate sponsors gain visibility and equity commitments in exchange for financial support.
- Individual Donations: SFMade accepts personal contributions to its Small Business Fund, which helps local makers start, grow, and build products. Donations are solicited via the website and at events.
- Special Events Revenue: SFMade hosts annual events (Here/Now, Celebrate MFG) that engage donors and raise funds for the organization. Events include ticket sales, sponsorship revenue, and associated fundraising activities.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Annual | Free membership for Bay Area manufacturers |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
SFMade.org product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SFMade is a nonprofit organization that stewards the San Francisco Bay Area manufacturing ecosystem. It provides free 1:1 business advising, workshops and forums, a Makers' Directory, a Job Board, policy advocacy, and youth career readiness programming (including the FlexFactor K-12 program) to a network of 800+ Bay Area manufacturers.
Product overview
SFMade is a nonprofit organization that stewards the San Francisco Bay Area manufacturing ecosystem through three interconnected pathways: Consumer Products (for entrepreneurs making consumer goods), Advanced Manufacturing (for companies using technology and automation), and Youth Programs (for high schoolers exploring careers). Its service portfolio includes Business Advising and Resources, Workshops and Forums, Youth Career Readiness programs, and Policy & Advocacy. The organization operates the FlexFactor flagship youth program, maintains a Makers' Directory of over 800 local manufacturers, and provides a Job Board for the manufacturing sector. Additional resources include expert guides on Fashion Pipeline Manufacturing, Inventory Management, Food & Beverage Manufacturing, and Access to Capital. SFMade facilitates corporate sponsorships, volunteer advisors, and hosts signature events including the annual Here/Now event and Celebrate MFG South Bay event.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- FlexFactor: Flagship youth program integrating into K-12 classrooms where students work in teams to identify real-world problems, design hardware-based solutions, build business models, and pitch to industry professionals.
Products and services
- Business Advising Program Free 1:1 business advising and specialized tools that help Bay Area manufacturers navigate pricing, packaging, compliance, operations, and sales channels. Targeted at SMB manufacturers that produce at least one product in the Bay Area.
- Workshops and Forums Educational sessions and networking events for the Bay Area manufacturing community, delivered both virtually (Zoom) and in person. Topics include business finances, hiring, eCommerce optimization, AI, marketing, and tax readiness.
- FlexFactor Youth Program Flagship K-12 youth program where students work in teams to identify real-world problems, design hardware-based solutions, build business models, and pitch to industry professionals. Introduces advanced manufacturing and entrepreneurship along with career pathways to high schoolers in the Bay Area.
- Makers' Directory Searchable online directory of 800+ local Bay Area manufacturers filterable by industry (Advanced Manufacturing, Apparel & Accessories, Food & Beverage, etc.), sub-category, county, and sustainability certifications. Free to access for buyers, suppliers, and the general public.
- Job Board Online portal where Bay Area manufacturing companies post open positions and job seekers browse and apply directly. Free to access; used by member companies such as Golden Bear Sportswear, Heath Ceramics, Dark Garden Unique Corsetry, Aby's Custom Upholstery, and Third Wheel Coffee.
- Policy & Advocacy Policy advocacy program that strengthens local manufacturing by amplifying Bay Area makers' collective voice at the city and state level. Provides member manufacturers with collective regulatory and economic influence unavailable to individual businesses.
- Membership Program Free membership program for any company that manufactures at least one product in the Bay Area. Members gain access to all of SFMade's core services — 1:1 advising, workshops, networking, youth programs, and directory/board listings — at no cost.
- Holiday Pop-Up Store Annual physical retail store at Embarcadero Center in San Francisco that features 60 SFMade member brands across six product categories, enabling members to reach consumers in person and generating visibility for the local manufacturing ecosystem.
- Here/Now Annual Event SFMade's flagship annual signature event celebrating Bay Area manufacturing. Hosts the Manufacturer of the Year award and convenes over 160 manufacturers, partners, and community members per edition.
Quantifiable outcome
- 800+ local manufacturers connected with resources since 2020
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use SFMade.org
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
SFMade.org technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
SFMade.org partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered supporting.
- Heath CeramicssupportingHeath Ceramics hosted SFMade's Women's History Month Manufacturer Meetup 2026 at its San Francisco showroom. As a venue host and event sponsor, it provides physical space and community brand alignment for SFMade programming.
- Main Street LaunchsupportingReferenced in SFMade's Local Matters March 2026 newsletter as a resource partner offering low-interest loans ($10,000–$350,000) to Bay Area small businesses. SFMade directs members to Main Street Launch for access to capital financing.
- California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA)supportingCalOSBA participated in SFMade's AI and Future of Manufacturing Work panel discussions. The office provides free resources including CalOSBA Scale network one-on-one advising to help manufacturers evaluate new technologies.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
SFMade.org competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- MAGNET (Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network): Cleveland, Ohio-based nonprofit delivering consulting, workforce development, and innovation services to Northeast Ohio manufacturers. Comparable as a regional manufacturing-support organization combining advising, events, and policy advocacy.
- Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation: A nonprofit industrial-park operator and economic-development organization managing manufacturing and creative-industry tenants at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Comparable in stewarding a regional manufacturing ecosystem and providing tenant services, workforce programs, and tenant-direct retail access.
- Made in NYC: A NYC-based nonprofit that supports and promotes local manufacturers through advocacy, events, and a public directory. Directly comparable regional-manufacturing steward model aimed at protecting urban production capacity.
- Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago (ICNC): A Chicago nonprofit that supports and advocates for industrial businesses on the near west side. Directly comparable as a regional manufacturer-stewardship nonprofit providing advocacy, retention programming, and economic-development services.
- Automation Alley: A Michigan-based nonprofit technology and manufacturing industry association focused on Industry 4.0 adoption, business resources, and connections for manufacturers. Comparable regional steward combining advising, events, and ecosystem-building for manufacturers.
- Regional Manufacturing Institute of Maryland (RMI): A Maryland-based nonprofit that supports and advocates for the state's manufacturing sector through programming, networking, and workforce initiatives. Direct regional peer in structure and mission, providing advocacy and member services for local manufacturers.
Broad incumbents
- Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) National Network: A NIST-led national network of federally funded centers providing consulting, training, and resources to U.S. manufacturers. Broader incumbent in the same space, with overlapping services (advising, training) across all 50 states versus SFMade's regional focus.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SFMade.org social profiles
Digital presenceSFMade.org financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SFMade.org leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
SFMade.org funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SFMade.org 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 SFMade.org
What does SFMade.org do?
SFMade is a nonprofit organization that stewards the San Francisco Bay Area manufacturing ecosystem. It provides free 1:1 business advising, workshops and forums, a Makers' Directory, a Job Board, policy advocacy, and youth career readiness programming (including the FlexFactor K-12 program) to a network of 800+ Bay Area manufacturers.
Is SFMade.org a public or private company?
SFMade.org is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was SFMade.org founded?
SFMade.org was founded in 2010. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is SFMade.org based?
SFMade.org is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does SFMade.org make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Government Grants are the primary driver. The others are foundation and Corporate Grants, corporate Sponsorships, individual Donations and special Events Revenue.
Who are SFMade.org's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are MAGNET (Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network), Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation, Made in NYC, Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago (ICNC), Automation Alley and Regional Manufacturing Institute of Maryland (RMI). Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) National Network is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does SFMade.org have an API?
No public API is recorded for SFMade.org.