Generator Makerspace

What Generator Makerspace does

Generator Makerspace (Generator Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit fabrication and prototyping facility founded in 2014 in Burlington, Vermont. It operates an 11,380-12,000 square foot shared workspace housing six technical shops — wood, metal, electronics, jewelry, sewing/textiles, and rapid prototyping — and serves more than 2,200 members annually across hobbyists, professional makers, artists, students, entrepreneurs, and corporate teams. Core capability is access to professional-grade fabrication equipment and a multi-disciplinary technical community, supported by staff instructors and a leadership team led by Executive Director Meg Hammond (since January 2020).

The organization's revenue model combines a tiered monthly membership ($50-$105/month), day passes ($25-$50), studio/locker rentals, fabrication services, space rentals, corporate retreats, and paid workshops/trainings. Approximately 40% of operating expenses are covered by earned revenue from these sources; the remaining ~60% is funded through donations, foundation grants, and corporate sponsorships including M&T Bank, PCC, Burlington Telecom, Hula, OnLogic, EastRise, Hazelett, Dinse, Green Mountain Power, and the Soda Plant. The staff headcount is small (1-10 employees), consistent with a lean nonprofit operating model.

Generator runs an expanding program portfolio — Artist-in-Residence, BIPOC Scholarship, youth programs, corporate retreats, and the JumpStart business incubator in partnership with LaunchVT — and operates the federally funded MakerSchools Initiative, which has expanded to 6 schools across 10 Vermont counties. Strategic institutional partnerships with the Vermont Community Foundation, Vermont Arts Council, SEABA, Vermont Law School, UVM, and Champlain College position Generator as a central node in Vermont's maker and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Name

Generator Makerspace

Legal name

Generator Inc.

Website

https://generatorvt.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Generator Makerspace is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit fabrication facility in Burlington, Vermont, operating six technical shops across an 11,380 sq ft workspace and serving 2,200+ annual members through memberships, workshops, fabrication services, and educational programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Makerspace Services

akta.pro primary industry

Makerspaces & Fab Labs (Open Build Studios) (EDAMADAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Crafts & Maker Arts (Ceramics, Textiles, Jewelry, Mixed Media) (EDAMAAAD), 3D Printing, CAD & Digital Fabrication Programs (EDAMADAH)

Keywords

• Shared makerspace access
• Workshop equipment rental
• STEAM youth education
• Business incubation programs
• Community fabrication services

Headquarters

HQ city

Burlington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Generator generates recurring monthly revenue through tiered membership plans (General $105/month, 25 & Under $60/month, Volunteer $50/month, Veteran $75/month, and Corporate Memberships). Additional revenue comes from 6-month and annual prepaid plans at discounted rates.
2. Day Passes: Short-term facility access sold at $25 (standard, excludes wood and metal shops) and $50 (hot shop, full facility access). Day passes are only valid on the date of purchase and must be purchased in-person.
3. Studio & Locker Rentals: Semi-private studio rentals at $285/month (plus membership fees) with a 12-month initial commitment, and locker rentals at $35/month. Studios measure 7ft x 8ft and provide direct access to the fabrication facility.
4. Fabrication Services & On-Demand Print & Cut: Custom fabrication services for external clients including commercial signage, artistic installations, custom event awards, promotional displays, equipment modification, and small-batch manufacturing. On-demand services include 3D printing, laser cutting, precision lumber sizing, and small fabrication jobs starting at $25.
5. Space Rentals: Rental of the Flex Space (1200 sqft) at $690/day (non-profit: $483/day) and Conference Room (510 sqft) at $460/day (non-profit: $322/day), with add-ons for workstations, PA systems, and table/chair setup. Generator members receive free access for events under 3 hours.
6. Company Retreats: Custom team-building retreat programs for corporate clients using hands-on fabrication and design thinking projects. Revenue generated through per-group or per-event pricing for retreat facilitation and facility access.
7. Workshops & Tool Trainings: Public workshops and tool certifications for members and non-members. Members receive a 10% discount on all trainings. Pricing varies by workshop type (e.g., Adobe Illustrator Skills Workshop $75, Project Support $20). Tool trainings provide prerequisite certification for independent tool use.
8. Donations & Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Generator relies on individual donations, stock transfers, charitable bequests, and charitable gift annuities. The organization states that only 40% of expenses are covered by membership fees and external income, with the majority supported by donors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Generator Makerspace operates a 11,380 sq ft multi-disciplinary shared workshop facility in Burlington, Vermont, hosting six technical shops (wood, metal, electronics, jewelry, sewing, and rapid prototyping) equipped with industrial-grade fabrication tools. It sells tiered memberships, day passes, studio/locker rentals, tool certifications, public workshops, youth STEAM programs, on-demand fabrication services, company retreats, and event space rentals to individuals, entrepreneurs, artists, students, and corporate clients. The organization also runs a 13-week business incubator (JumpStart), an Artist-In-Residence program, a BIPOC Scholarship, and a state-wide MakerSchools Initiative that brings makerspaces to rural Vermont schools.

Product overview

Generator Makerspace is a combination business incubator, artist accelerator, and classroom at the intersection of art, science, entrepreneurship, and technology. Founded in 2014, it is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving over 2,200 adults and youth annually across its 11,380-12,000 sq ft facility in Burlington, Vermont. The core offering consists of membership-based access to six technical shops: wood, metal, electronics, jewelry, sewing, and rapid prototyping (laser cutting, 3D printing, vinyl cutting). The portfolio includes General, 25&Under, Veteran, Volunteer, and Corporate Membership tiers; Day Passes; Studio and Locker Rentals; Tool Certifications and Advanced Trainings; public Workshops; Teacher Trainings; Youth Programs (school partnerships, after-school, camps); Fabrication Services and On-Demand Print & Cut; Company Retreats; Space Rentals; the Artist-In-Residence Program; BIPOC Scholarship; JumpStart business incubator; MakerSchools Program; and community events including Holiday Maker Market, NextGENerator, Methods & Means, and Reckless Ideas lecture series.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Membership Subscription membership offering tiered plans (General, 25 & Under, Veteran, Volunteer, Corporate) providing access to all six technical shops and tools, computer lab, Wi-Fi, and discounts on trainings and workshops. Includes monthly, 6-month, and annual prepaid options.
• Day Passes Single-day facility access passes available in Standard ($25, excludes wood and metal shops) and Hot Shop ($50, full facility) options, sold in-person after completing Day Pass User Orientation and appropriate tool certifications.
• Studio Rentals Semi-private 7ft x 8ft studio spaces adjoining fabrication space with direct access to the maker community, rented to active members at $285/month plus membership fees.
• Locker Rentals Member storage lockers in varying sizes for personal tools, materials, and projects, available for $35/month to active members.
• Tool Certifications and Advanced Trainings Safety and skill certification for independent access to tools including 3D Printer, Electronics Lab, Jewelry Studio, Laser Cutter, Metal Shop, Sewing Studio, Vinyl Cutter, Woodshop, plus advanced trainings for TIG/MIG welders, Oxy-Acetylene torch, CNC plasma cutter, vertical mill, machine lathe, wood lathe, and 4-axis CNC. Includes Experienced User Assessments for experienced individuals.
• Workshops Hands-on project-based educational experiences open to the general public, including project workshops (cutting boards, jewelry, bags), skill workshops (welding, woodworking), experience workshops, and seminars. Members receive a 10% discount.
• Teacher Trainings Professional development courses for educators covering safety, maintenance, curriculum integration, and lesson planning for makerspace tools including laser cutter, 3D printer, vinyl cutter, sewing, electronics, and woodworking.
• Youth Programs STEAM education programs including school partnerships, field trips with interactive projects, immersive design labs, after-school programs, and summer/holiday camps for youth grades 3-12. Includes programs like D&D Maker Camp, PinBox 3000, 3D Printing & Design, DIY Video Game, and Youth Maker Market.
• Fabrication Services Custom fabrication program supporting commercial signage, artistic installations, custom event awards, promotional displays, equipment modification, and small-batch manufacturing for external clients.
• On-Demand Print & Cut Service On-demand services including 3D printing, laser cutting, precision lumber sizing, and small fabrication jobs starting at $25.
• Company Retreats Team-building corporate retreats using design thinking methodologies with collaborative challenges and DIY-together experiences including laser-engraved cutting boards, wine boxes, custom shirts, wooden car races, and jewelry projects.
• Space Rentals Event and meeting space rentals including a 1,200 sq ft Flex Space (capacity 65-85) and 510 sq ft Conference Room (capacity 20-35) with projector, whiteboards, and video conferencing; available to outside groups and Generator members at discounted rates.
• Artist-In-Residence Program Six-month residency supporting artists with free membership, three months free studio rental, $500 tool training credit, and access to metal, wood, jewelry, electronics, sewing, 3D printing, and laser cutting facilities.
• BIPOC Scholarship Scholarship program providing six months free membership ($630 value) and $400 tool training credit for Black, Indigenous, and people of color makers aged 18+.
• JumpStart Business Incubator Free 13-week entrepreneurial bootcamp for product-based startups providing business development curriculum, four months free Generator membership, $300 tool training credit, and access to fabrication facilities. Co-branded with LaunchVT.
• MakerSchools Program Vermont statewide initiative building makerspaces in six schools (Bellows Falls Union High School, Harwood Union Middle High School, Hazen Union School, Main Street Middle School, White River Valley Middle School, Williston Central School), training educators, and creating pathways to emerging technology careers for students.
• Holiday Maker Market Annual local maker-focused holiday market event featuring Vermont-based vendors, free admission, and vendor tables for Generator members and non-members.
• NextGENerator Youth Maker Market Youth maker market partnership with Davis Studio and Seven Days showcasing entrepreneurial projects from students grades 3-12.
• Methods & Means Speaker Series Free speaker series featuring maker economics panel discussions with local creators and entrepreneurs.
• Reckless Ideas Lecture Series Free public speaker series on topics including artificial intelligence, data privacy, and entrepreneurial creativity.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,200+ adults and youth served annually across all programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• South End Arts + Business Association (SEABA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSEABA is a partner in Generator's Artist-In-Residence program. A SEABA representative serves on the Artist-In-Residence selection committee alongside Generator staff, the current AIR resident, and a community member. This partnership positions Generator within Burlington's arts and innovation ecosystem.
• Vermont Law SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVermont Law School provides expert-led instruction during JumpStart's Week 8 'Ask a Lawyer' session, covering topics including liability and insurance, contracts and policies, intellectual property, product safety, and entity structure. This partnership provides entrepreneurs with accessible legal education.
• Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVSAC offers the VSAC Advancement Grant, providing financial assistance to Vermont residents for Generator tool trainings at zero or reduced cost. This partnership addresses financial barriers to accessing technical education.
• University of Vermont (UVM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUVM partners with Generator to make available a limited number of free student memberships each school year to qualifying full-time undergraduates (2nd/3rd/4th year) who are members of a Career Interest Group. Selected students receive 10 months of free membership, two free tool trainings on rapid prototyping tools, Wi-Fi, and computer lab access.
• Champlain CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChamplain College partners with Generator to provide specialized membership programs for its students. The Miller Center at Champlain College shares a parking lot with Generator, facilitating physical proximity and student access.
• LaunchVTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunchVT co-brands the JumpStart program with Generator (JumpStart | business incubator program | Generator & LaunchVT). LaunchVT brings startup ecosystem expertise and resources that complement Generator's fabrication facilities and maker community for product-based entrepreneurs.
• Davis & Hodgdon AssociatescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccounting firm Davis & Hodgdon Associates provides guest instruction during JumpStart's Week 10 Money Basics session and Week 11 Accounting, Budgeting & Taxes workshop. Ryan Black-Deegan, a CPA at the firm, serves on Generator's Board of Directors as Treasurer.
• Dunkiel Saunders Elliott Raubvogel & HandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJustin McCabe from the law firm Dunkiel Saunders contributed to JumpStart's resource library on building a solid legal foundation, complementing the Vermont Law School instruction in Week 8.
• Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGenerator and VBSR co-host events and community programming. VBSR organizes initiatives focused on Vermont's healthcare system, climate resilience, and sustainable business practices, with Generator contributing as a venue and community partner.
• Zero Gravity BreweryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZero Gravity hosts Generator's Bike & Gear Repair Series events, providing venue and refreshments. Generator hosts Reckless Ideas events with Zero Gravity providing refreshments. The proximity of Zero Gravity to Generator's facility supports community programming.
• Local MotionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Motion, a Burlington cycling organization, provides volunteer mechanics and bike parking for Generator's Bike & Gear Repair Series community events.
• Old Spokes HomeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOld Spokes Home, a Burlington cycling organization, provides volunteer mechanics for Generator's community Bike & Gear Repair Series events.
• The Sandbox (Vermont)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Sandbox provides on-site simple repairs and hi-vis safety patching at Generator's community Bike & Gear Repair Series. Complex repairs receive a discount at The Sandbox for event participants.
• Champlain CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChamplain College provides bike parking and extra mechanic support at Generator's Bike & Gear Repair Series community events, alongside Local Motion and VMBA.
• VMBA (Vermont Mountain Bike Alliance)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVMBA provides volunteer mechanics and support at Generator's community Bike & Gear Repair Series events.
• Davis StudiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDavis Studio co-organizes the NextGENerator: VT's Youth Maker Market alongside Generator and Seven Days. Davis Studio contributes programming expertise and co-branding to this youth-focused entrepreneurial event.
• Seven Days (Vermont Newspaper)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerSeven Days co-organizes the NextGENerator: VT's Youth Maker Market alongside Generator and Davis Studio, providing media sponsorship and promotional reach across Vermont's independent journalism platform.
• Stern Center for Language and LearningcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Stern Center co-presents community events with Generator including the Gone Guys documentary screening. Laurie Quinn, President of the Stern Center, serves on Generator's Board of Directors. Both organizations co-host educational and community programming.
• Habitat for AviationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHabitat for Aviation founder Beth White is the featured speaker at Generator's Reckless Ideas event 'Through The Clouds.' Generator serves as the venue and community platform for this public speaking event, which promotes aviation education and the Women Build Planes program.
• Middlebury Innovation Hub (Vermont Innovation Summer)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGenerator hosts summer interns from Middlebury College participating in the Vermont Innovation Summer program. Interns support youth summer camps and fabrication/communication projects, creating a pipeline between the college and Generator.
• Hula (Burlington Coworking Campus)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerHula is a 2024/25 corporate sponsor of Generator and provides overflow parking for Generator visitors. Lucia Campriello, Chief Growth Officer at Hula, serves on Generator's Board of Directors. Both organizations are anchor institutions in Burlington's South End Arts District.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Noisebridge: Noisebridge is a San Francisco volunteer-run hackerspace/makerspace focused on electronics, programming, and fabrication. While more technology-focused and less commercially oriented than Generator, it is a comparable community-driven workshop model.

Others

• Fab Foundation: Fab Foundation is the non-profit organization that supports the global Fab Lab network started at MIT. It is not a direct competitor but is thematically and structurally relevant as a peer organization operating in the makerspace/fab lab ecosystem with a similar community-impact mission.

Direct peers

• Dallas Makerspace: Dallas Makerspace is a large 501(c)(3) community makerspace offering 30+ shops including wood, metal, electronics, jewelry, laser, and 3D printing. Its nonprofit status, broad shop portfolio, and member-driven model make it a relevant regional-scale peer.
• Nova Labs: Nova Labs is a 501(c)(3) community makerspace in Reston, VA offering wood, metal, electronics, 3D printing, and laser cutting with memberships, classes, and youth programs. Its nonprofit structure, community-driven model, and shop mix closely mirror Generator's positioning.
• NYC Resistor: NYC Resistor is a Brooklyn-based hacker/makerspace providing member access to electronics, 3D printing, laser cutting, and sewing with classes and workshops. It is a comparable urban community workshop with overlapping equipment and educational programming.
• Artisan's Asylum: Artisan's Asylum is a 40,000+ sq ft makerspace in Somerville, MA offering woodworking, metalworking, electronics, jewelry, textiles, and 3D printing. It is the closest operating analog to Generator in terms of multi-shop community model and nonprofit/affordable access ethos.
• NextFab: NextFab operates multi-location makerspaces in Philadelphia with similar shop breadth (wood, metal, electronics, textiles, rapid prototyping) and a parallel mix of memberships, workshops, fabrication services, and corporate programs. It is a directly comparable members' fabrication facility.
• ChattLab: ChattLab is a Chattanooga, TN makerspace offering members access to wood, metal, electronics, laser cutting, and 3D printing with classes and youth programs. Comparable mid-sized community makerspace with similar diversification strategy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/generatorvt
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCEAX4swevL38Z2dswlM5G1w
• Facebookfacebook.com/GeneratorVT
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/19195659
• Instagraminstagram.com/GeneratorVT

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

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 Generator Makerspace