MakerBay
MakerBay is a Hong Kong nonprofit operating a makerspace and educational platform that delivers maker, design-thinking, and AI literacy programs to youth, educators, schools, and community organizations through partnerships and grant-funded flagship initiatives.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersTsuen Wan, Hong Kong SAR China
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
MakerBay firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MakerBay
- Legal name
- MakerBay Foundation Limited
- Website
- http://www.makerbay.org/
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- MakerBay is a Hong Kong nonprofit operating a makerspace and educational platform that delivers maker, design-thinking, and AI literacy programs to youth, educators, schools, and community organizations through partnerships and grant-funded flagship initiatives.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MakerBay industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Maker Education & Community Innovation Services
- akta.pro primary industry
- Maker / DIY Electronics & Physical Computing Platforms (EDAFANAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- 3D Printing, CAD & Digital Fabrication Programs (EDAMADAH)
Keywords
Where MakerBay is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tsuen Wan
- HQ country
- Hong Kong SAR China
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
MakerBay business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Makerspace Memberships: The makerspace provides different membership plans to support maker journeys, offering access to tools, machinery, and experienced staff assistance for creating products.
- Educational Programs and Workshops: Skill training programs in various formats and themes, capacity building for educators, and makerspace design consultation services.
- Innovation Consultation: Specialized guidance and consultation services supporting youth and educators in pursuing innovation projects.
- Incubation Programme: Incubation services to foster growth of innovative initiatives through prototyping support, coaching and mentoring.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
MakerBay product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MakerBay is a Hong Kong-based nonprofit operating a physical makerspace and educational platform that delivers maker education programs, community innovation projects, and entrepreneurship incubation services to youth and educators. Its core offerings consist of skill training and capacity-building workshops, makerspace design and consultation services, innovation projects tackling social and environmental challenges, prototyping/mentoring/incubation through its Impact Innovation Lab, and tiered makerspace membership plans granting access to tools, machinery, and experienced staff guidance.
Product overview
MakerBay is a creative space and educational platform dedicated to helping youth develop maker skills and mindset to make community impact. The organization operates a unified platform consisting of four interconnected service areas: (1) Maker Education offering skill training, educator capacity building, and makerspace design; (2) Community Innovation providing innovation projects and consultation services; (3) Impact Innovation Lab delivering prototyping support, coaching/mentoring, and incubation; and (4) Makerspace Membership providing physical workspace access with tools and machinery. The portfolio includes flagship programmes such as the DBS Foundation Innofuture Youth Programme and Jockey Club AI Community Innovation Programme, alongside specialized offerings like AI Innovation & Education and the Local Maker Map project.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Maker Education Educational programs offering skill training in different formats and themes to train future makers, capacity building for educators, and makerspace design services for creating collaborative innovation hubs. Targets youth and educators.
- Community Innovation Innovation projects tackling social and environmental issues for a sustainable society, combined with innovation consultation providing specialized guidance for youth and educators pursuing their projects.
- Impact Innovation Lab Entrepreneurship support offering prototyping services to transform concepts into tangible realities, coaching and mentoring for nurturing aspiring talents, and an incubation programme to foster growth of innovative initiatives.
- Makerspace Membership Physical makerspace equipped with tools and machinery offering various membership plans, with experienced staff providing assistance and advice to help members create products of their imagination.
- AI Innovation & Education Specialized AI-focused education services integrating artificial intelligence into maker education curriculum, including coral reef mapping using AI technology and biodiversity mapping applications. Targets Hong Kong youth and educators.
- DBS Foundation Innofuture Youth Programme Flagship youth programme supported by DBS Foundation focusing on innovation training and youth development. Delivered in partnership with DBS Foundation to support Hong Kong youth.
- Jockey Club AI Community Innovation Programme Flagship programme partnered with Hong Kong Jockey Club providing AI education and community innovation training.
- Jockey Club YouthCreate Series Three-year programme training teachers, social workers, youth workers and thousands of young people in innovation and maker skills and mindset.
- Jockey Club Community Sustainability Fund – Impact Maker Step-by-step approach for youth to develop innovation skills and problem-solving mindset to solve challenges outlined in the SDGs.
Quantifiable outcome
- 10,941 participants trained and 38,179 training hours attained during April 2023 - March 2024
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use MakerBay
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
MakerBay technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
MakerBay partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
27 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- DBS FoundationflagshipDBS Foundation Innofuture Youth Programme - flagship program supporting youth innovation and maker skill development. MakerBay collaborates with DBS Foundation to deliver youth-focused innovation programs.
- Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC)flagshipMultiple flagship programs including Jockey Club AI Community Innovation Programme, Jockey Club YouthCreate Series (3+ years), and Jockey Club Community Sustainability Fund - Impact Maker Project. Deep partnership supporting youth innovation skills and SDG-focused problem solving.
- Ocean ParkcoreConservation Chill Club program - equipping Hong Kong youth with AI technology and knowledge about coral diversity to build AI models for coral reef mapping of Hong Kong.
- MIT App InventorcoreAI Innovation & Education program featuring education specialist from MIT App Inventor. Curriculum development and teaching resources aligned with MIT educational approaches.
- Massachusetts Institute of TechnologycoreMIT App Inventor education specialist serves as Education Specialist, bringing MIT curriculum and teaching methodologies to Hong Kong youth education.
- IDE0minorDesign thinking and innovation methodology partner supporting maker education approaches.
- Stanford d.schoolminorDesign thinking methodology partner for maker education curriculum.
- Soap Cycling LimitedminorCommunity partner for social impact projects. MakerBay helps solve tech problems and enrich tech knowledge to improve operation efficiency.
- University of Hong Kong (HKU)minorAcademic partnership for educational programs and research collaboration.
- Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU)minorAcademic partnership for educational programs and student development.
- City University of Hong Kong (CityU)minorAcademic partnership for educational programs and innovation projects.
- Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU)minorAcademic partnership for educational collaboration.
- British CouncilminorInternational educational partnership supporting maker education programs.
- National GeographicminorNature and biodiversity education partner for conservation-related maker projects.
- WWFminorConservation and sustainability education partner for environmental innovation projects.
- TEDminorIdeas and innovation platform partnership for sharing maker stories and impact.
- UnreasonableminorSocial enterprise support and entrepreneurship ecosystem partner.
- The Good LabminorSocial innovation lab partnership for impact-focused maker projects.
- New LabminorInnovation hub partnership for maker community development.
- LVMHminorLuxury brand partnership supporting innovation and maker education initiatives.
- Christie'sminorArts and auction house partnership for creative education programs.
- InvestHKminorGovernment investment promotion agency partnership for startup ecosystem support.
- Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks (HKSTP)minorTechnology park partnership for innovation and technology development.
- PMQminorDesign and creative hub partnership for maker education.
- Royal College of Art (RCA)minorArt and design education partnership.
- University of the Arts London (UAL)minorArts and design education partnership.
- École PolytechniqueminorFrench engineering school partnership for technology education.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
MakerBay competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Fab Foundation: Global nonprofit that supports the Fab Lab network of digital fabrication makerspaces and maker education programs. Most direct global comparable to MakerBay in mission (maker skills for community impact), delivery (physical makerspace + curriculum), and structure (nonprofit).
- Maker Ed: US-based nonprofit (Maker Education Initiative) dedicated to expanding maker education in schools and communities through educator training and program resources. Closely comparable mission, target audience (educators and youth), and nonprofit operating model.
Regional players
- The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG): Large HK-based nonprofit running youth innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurship programmes including M21 digital media and innovation initiatives. Comparable as a Hong Kong youth-focused innovation and entrepreneurship platform, though broader in scope.
Others
- Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP): Government-linked operator of HK's innovation/technology parks supporting startups, R&D, and tech education. Listed as a MakerBay partner and operates in the same HK innovation ecosystem, but is an enabler/landlord rather than a direct maker-education competitor.
- Noisebridge: San Francisco community-run hackerspace/makerspace providing tools, workshops, and maker community access. Comparable as a community-led makerspace model, though not education-program-led like MakerBay.
- MIT Media Lab (Lifelong Kindergarten): MIT research group (Mitchel Resnick et al.) behind Scratch and constructionist maker-learning pedagogy; MIT App Inventor is a MakerBay partner. Comparable as the academic thought leader in maker education that informs MakerBay's curriculum approach.
Emerging players
- Preface: Hong Kong-based AI and coding education provider serving youth and adults through in-person and online programs. Comparable as a HK-based emerging STEAM/AI education player with similar target audience and program format, though more commercially focused than MakerBay.
- Hack Club: US-based nonprofit running a global network of high school coding and maker clubs, providing curriculum, resources, and community. Comparable as a youth-focused maker/STEM nonprofit with a community-led model, though delivery is more software-centric.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
MakerBay social profiles
Digital presenceMakerBay financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MakerBay leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
MakerBay funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MakerBay 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 MakerBay
What does MakerBay do?
MakerBay is a Hong Kong-based nonprofit operating a physical makerspace and educational platform that delivers maker education programs, community innovation projects, and entrepreneurship incubation services to youth and educators. Its core offerings consist of skill training and capacity-building workshops, makerspace design and consultation services, innovation projects tackling social and environmental challenges, prototyping/mentoring/incubation through its Impact Innovation Lab, and tiered makerspace membership plans granting access to tools, machinery, and experienced staff guidance.
Is MakerBay a public or private company?
MakerBay is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was MakerBay founded?
MakerBay was founded in 2015. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is MakerBay based?
MakerBay is headquartered in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong SAR China, in the Asia region.
How does MakerBay make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Makerspace Memberships are the primary driver. The others are educational Programs and Workshops, innovation Consultation and incubation Programme.
Who are MakerBay's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Fab Foundation and Maker Ed. The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG) is listed as a regional player. Others are Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), Noisebridge and MIT Media Lab (Lifelong Kindergarten). Emerging players are Preface and Hack Club.
Does MakerBay have an API?
No public API is recorded for MakerBay.
What industry is MakerBay in?
MakerBay's product category is Maker Education & Community Innovation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAFANAC, Maker / DIY Electronics & Physical Computing Platforms, with a secondary code of EDAMADAH, 3D Printing, CAD & Digital Fabrication Programs.