maakleerplek
maakleerplek is a community maker space in Leuven, Belgium, operating specialized labs (digital fabrication, graphic arts, textile, repair), coworking, artist studios, and a canteen at the historic Molens van Orshoven site, serving local makers, youth, artists, schools, entrepreneurs, and disability-inclusion programs under municipal and ESF funding.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersLeuven, Belgium
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What maakleerplek does
maakleerplek is a community maker space and non-profit project located at the historic Molens van Orshoven site along the Vaartkom in Leuven, Belgium. Founded in 2020 and facilitated by the City of Leuven (Stad Leuven) and project developer Ertzberg as an ESF (European Social Fund) pioneer project within the Flemish transition space 'living, learning and working in 2050', it operates a portfolio of specialized labs and shared spaces serving the Leuven community. These include the High Tech Lab (laser cutting, 3D printing, CNC machining, electronics), Grafisch Lab (RISO printing, screen printing, etching press, cyanotype, analog photography), TextielLab (sustainable textile work and repair), Elektro Herstel Hub (small appliance repair), Textiel Herstel Hub (textile repair by people distant from the labor market), Cowork Plek (coworking space), GEREEDSCHAPPENBIB tool library (~300 tools), New Media Lab (video, podcast, VR), Cas-co operated artist studios, and the HONKantine canteen. The High Tech Lab is 99% volunteer-run, with only 5 paid employees across the broader organization.
The business model blends earned revenue from granular, usage-based fees with public funding. Earned streams include pay-per-use machine time (EUR 0.50/min lasercutter, EUR 0.10/g 3D printing, EUR 0.50/min vinyl cutting), workshops and summer camps (EUR 30-40/session), coworking and studio rental (EUR 10-100/day tiered by non-profit vs. private), tool library membership (EUR 45/year), repair services (suggested EUR 25/device or EUR 7-35 textile repair), and canteen/summer bar food and beverage sales. Public and grant funding sources include Stad Leuven municipal support, ESF pioneer project funding, and Nationale Loterij grants. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, relying on social media (Instagram, Facebook, X), a monthly newsletter, school outreach, and recurring public events (maakleerfest, Makersmarkt, Erfgoeddagen, Herbestemmingsdag, Zomerbar summer bar, Young Maker Days) to attract participants.
Customer segments span the Leuven community, including individual makers and youth (Young Maker Lab for ages 11-14), artists and creative professionals, schools (e.g., Sint-Pieterscollege heritage education projects), entrepreneurs and freelancers using Cowork Plek, and inclusion-focused programs for people with disabilities (HONK canteen, Brake-Out/Konekt 3-year learning program). Distribution is exclusively physical and local to the Leuven region, with all services accessed on-site at the Vaartkom location, supplemented by textile repair drop-off points and the Repair Connects online platform for electronic repair appointments. The organization operates without venture capital, private equity, or public listing, and is not a candidate for traditional PE/VC investment given its non-profit, government-facilitated structure.
maakleerplek firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- maakleerplek
- Legal name
- Stad Leuven
- Website
- https://maakleerplek.be
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- maakleerplek is a community maker space in Leuven, Belgium, operating specialized labs (digital fabrication, graphic arts, textile, repair), coworking, artist studios, and a canteen at the historic Molens van Orshoven site, serving local makers, youth, artists, schools, entrepreneurs, and disability-inclusion programs under municipal and ESF funding.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
maakleerplek industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Maker Space
- akta.pro primary industry
- Makerspaces & Fab Labs (Open Build Studios) (EDAMADAC)
Keywords
Where maakleerplek is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Leuven
- HQ country
- Belgium
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
maakleerplek business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Machine Usage Fees: Pay-per-use fees for lasercutter (EUR 0.50/min), 3D printing (EUR 0.10/g), vinyl cutting (EUR 0.50/min), and CNC machining (price on request).
- Workshop and Course Fees: Fees for initiaties (EUR 35/session), masterclasses (price varies), summer camps (EUR 40/day), and specialized workshops (EUR 30).
- Coworking Space Rental: Daily or fixed desk rentals in the former director's building of Molens van Orshoven, with meeting room reservations available.
- Canteen and Summer Bar Revenue: Food and beverage sales through HONKantine (Wednesday meals) and seasonal summer bar operations.
- Repair Services: Repair hub services with suggested contribution of EUR 25/device and textile repairs priced between EUR 7-35.
- Tool Library Membership: Annual membership of EUR 45/year for access to approximately 300 tools through Gereedschappenbib.
- Space and Professional Services Rental: Grafisch Lab rental (EUR 100-50/day or EUR 20-10/hour), professional guidance (EUR 60-30/hour), custom workshops (EUR 350), with reduced rates for artists and non-profits.
- Municipal and ESF Funding: Funded by city of Leuven and project developer Ertzberg as an ESF pioneer project within the Flemish transition space 'living, learning and working in 2050'.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Machine usage fees - Lasercutter |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Machine usage fees - 3D Printing |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Machine usage fees - Vinyl Cutting |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Grafisch Lab Initiaties |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Grafisch Lab Summer Camps |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Vinyl Cutting Workshop |
| Subscription | Annual | Gereedschappenbib Tool Library |
| Subscription | Monthly | Coworking Space Rental |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Grafisch Lab Studio Rental |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Grafisch Lab Professional Guidance |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Custom Workshop Design |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | HONKantine Meals |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Summer Bar |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Repair Services - Elektro |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Repair Services - Textiel |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels8 records
maakleerplek product offering
Product offeringCore offering
maakleerplek is a community maker space at the historic Molens van Orshoven site in Leuven that provides shared access to digital fabrication equipment (laser cutting, 3D printing, CNC machining), traditional craft facilities (textile, printmaking, photography), and repair services. It operates multiple specialized labs (High Tech Lab, Grafisch Lab, TextielLab) alongside repair hubs, a tool lending library, coworking space, and a community canteen, all offered on usage-based or subscription terms. The facility is facilitated by the City of Leuven and project developer Ertzberg as an ESF pioneer project.
Product overview
maakleerplek is a physical makerspace and community center in Leuven, Belgium, consisting of multiple specialized labs and shared spaces operated collaboratively. The core offering is a network of maker spaces including High Tech Lab (3D printing, laser cutting, CNC, electronics), Grafisch Lab (printmaking, riso, screen printing), TextielLab (sustainable textile work), and various repair hubs (Textiel Herstel Hub, Elektro Herstel Hub). Additional spaces include Cowork plek for flexible workspace, Studios for artistic residencies, New Media Lab for media literacy, GEREEDSCHAPPENBIB for tool lending, and Kantine as a social meeting point. The ecosystem also includes special initiatives like Leuven River Upcycling and educational programs like Young Maker Lab and Open Lab sessions. maakleerplek is facilitated by the city of Leuven and project developer Ertzberg, functioning as an ESF pioneer project.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Leuvens Leerecosysteem (Europa WSE): Leuven Learning Ecosystem, an ESF transition project at maakleerplek
- HONKantine
- High Tech Lab
- Grafisch Lab
- TextielLab
- Herstel Hub Elektro
- Cowork Plek
- New Media Lab
Products and services
- High Tech Lab An open and inclusive makerspace within maakleerplek providing access to advanced manufacturing equipment including a MetaQuip 100W CO2 laser cutter, FDM 3D printers (PLA and PETG), CNC MEKANIKA and STEPCRAFT machines, electronics, and microscopes. Operated by 99% volunteers with Open Lab sessions on Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons.
- Grafisch Lab An informal meeting and knowledge space focused on photo-graphics, run by artists and volunteers. Offers two RISO printers (red, blue, emerald green, black), screen printing table, UV exposure unit, etching press, A3 proof press, darkroom, enlargers, photo studio, cyanotype, and analog photography initiaties (EUR 35/session) and summer camps (EUR 40/day for ages 8-13).
- TextielLab A textile workshop space where everyone is welcome to work with textiles in a sustainable way, featuring reused materials and machines, workshops on textile repair, and clothing exchange activities.
- Textiel Herstel Hub A textile repair service hub where repairs are carried out by people with talent but distance from the labor market, with pickup points throughout the city. Repair prices range from EUR 7 to EUR 35 per item.
- Elektro Herstel Hub A weekly repair service for small household appliances, audio equipment, and tools where experienced repairers attempt to fix items within an hour. Suggested contribution of EUR 25 per device with free advice on repair options; bookings through Repair Connects.
- GEREEDSCHAPPENBIB (Tool Library) A tool lending library operated by MAAKbar where members can borrow approximately 300 different types of tools for DIY and home improvement projects. Annual membership costs EUR 45 and allows reservation of up to 5 tools per week through the online catalog at maakbar.myturn.com/library, with open hours on Thursday and Saturday.
- Cowork Plek A coworking space in the former residential and director's building of Molens van Orshoven offering daily or fixed desk rentals with meeting room reservations. Tenants include C3000, Maakbaar Leuven, Kijkcoaching, Quppa, Studio D, Leuven Voor Ondernemers, and Samen Onderwijs Maken.
- Kantine (HONKantine) The community meeting place and eat-cafe of maakleerplek where learning, making, and tasting come together. Wednesday meals are prepared and served by HONK young adults with disabilities through HONKantine; seasonal summer bar operations run Thursday through Sunday in the inner courtyard.
- Studios Art studios including container-based artist residencies organized by Cas-co, an Open Atelier for creative projects, and spaces for artistic practice.
- New Media Lab A media literacy hotspot offering workshops and equipment for video, photo, podcast, graphic work, music production, and virtual reality, with attention to societal vulnerability in media. Initiative of Link in De Kabel and Artforum/Urban Woorden.
- Deelplek Ateliers Three ateliers provided to starting visual artists aligned with maakleerplek's story, in close collaboration with Cas-co's atelier and residency program.
- Young Maker Lab An educational program for young people aged 11-14 to explore technology curiosity, working on their own projects under volunteer supervision during Wednesday and Sunday sessions at the High Tech Lab.
Quantifiable outcome
- Prevents 55 million unused electronic devices in Belgium from becoming waste through repair services
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use maakleerplek
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
maakleerplek technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
maakleerplek partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
33 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Vlaams Minister Wouter BekeminorFlemish Minister of Welfare, Public Health, Family and Poverty Reduction visited Brake-Out program to observe strength-based approach for people with disabilities.
- Vlaams Minister Benjamin DalleminorFlemish Minister of Brussels, Youth and Media visited Brake-Out program to understand impact of disability inclusion programs.
- KSKCL (Kayak Club Leuven)minorLeuven kayak club participating in Leuven River Upcycling project, collecting waste from Dijle and Vaart waterways.
- DijlejuttersminorInitiated Leuven River Upcycling in 2018, organizing regular cleanup actions on the Dijle river.
- JCI LeuvenminorYoung entrepreneurs association providing kayaks for river cleanup activities in exchange for waste collection.
- Leuven 2030minorClimate initiative supporting circular economy projects and sustainable city development aligned with Leuven 2030 goals.
- High Tech Lab (Leuven River Upcycling)minorTransforms collected plastic waste into raw materials for new products like sticks, pallets, and paddles for Leuven sports clubs.
- LE(J)ONminorLeuven entrepreneurs organization organizing the Upcycling River Challenge that processes river waste into new products.
- Stad Leuven (City of Leuven)corePrimary facilitator and co-founder of maakleerplek. Provides municipal support, legitimacy, and alignment with city sustainability goals including Leuven 2030 climate initiatives.
- ErtzbergcoreProject developer that partnered with the city to establish maakleerplek at the Molens van Orshoven heritage site, repurposing the historic industrial complex.
- High Tech Lab VolunteerscoreVolunteer-run component of maakleerplek with 99% volunteer staff providing technical expertise and lab supervision during Open Labs.
- HONKcoreResidential initiative for 13 young adults with disabilities operating HONKantine in the Kantine every Wednesday, providing job training and social inclusion.
- Cas-co vzwcoreAtelier and residency organization managing artist studios in the silos, organizing artistic residencies with production budgets, and collaborating on Grafisch Lab masterclasses.
- Konekt vzw (Brake-Out)coreOrganization supporting people with disabilities runs Brake-Out 3-year learning program at maakleerplek twice weekly, helping young adults (18-30) discover talents.
- MAAKbarcoreManages the Gereedschappenbib tool library offering 300+ tools for annual membership, with open hours on Thursday and Saturday.
- Link in De KabelcoreMedia education organization co-founding New Media Lab for media literacy, video, photo, podcast, graphic work, music production, and VR workshops.
- Artforum/Urban WoordencoreCultural organization partnering with Link in De Kabel on New Media Lab initiatives.
- Alvinnenberg vzwcoreOrganization for adults with intellectual or multiple disabilities, cooking together with Foodatelier César on Thursdays for social inclusion and skill development.
- Foodatelier CésarcoreMeal prep service preparing fresh soup and school meals on maakleerplek, using cooking as a low-threshold way to connect people.
- Vlaamse Waterweg and VMMminorFlemish waterway authority and environmental agency coordinating with river cleanup initiatives.
- Peddelsport Vlaanderen and Sport VlaanderenminorWater sports and sports federations supporting and coordinating kayak cleanup activities.
- b00t vzwminorYoung architects collaborated with Sint-Pieterscollege students on designing and building an educational igloo in the silos.
- C3000minorCircular economy hub sharing coworking space at maakleerplek.
- Maakbaar LeuvenminorLocal circular economy organization sharing coworking space.
- KijkcoachingminorOrganization sharing coworking space.
- QuppaminorOrganization sharing coworking space.
- Studio DminorOrganization sharing coworking space.
- Leuven Voor OndernemersminorLeuven entrepreneurs organization sharing coworking space.
- Samen Onderwijs Maken (SOM)minorEducation initiative sharing coworking space.
- Honk vzwminorReceives and sorts kayak cleanup participants at maakleerplek, facilitating the upcycling process.
- ArktosminorYouth organization receiving kayak cleanup participants and supporting river upcycling activities.
- COREminorPartner in Leuven River Upcycling project.
- Reisburo RoulotminorPartner in Leuven River Upcycling project.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
maakleerplek competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Repair Café International: Netherlands-originated global network coordinating local Repair Cafés. Directly comparable to maakleerplek's Herstel Hubs (textile and electronics), with similar circular-economy, volunteer-driven, donation-supported model but a much broader geographic and operational footprint.
- Fab Foundation: MIT-affiliated non-profit that licenses and supports the global Fab Lab network. Operates as a network umbrella for community fab labs, comparable to maakleerplek's High Tech Lab model, but functions as an enabling organization rather than a single site.
Others
- iFixit: US-based global repair community and knowledge platform providing free repair manuals. Adjacent to maakleerplek's Elektro Herstel Hub — both serve the right-to-repair ecosystem, but iFixit is digital-only whereas maakleerplek combines physical repair services.
Regional players
- iMAL (Interactive Media Art Laboratory): Brussels-based arts laboratory focused on creative technology, media arts, and maker/digital fabrication. Comparable emphasis on combining digital fabrication with art practice and educational programming, despite being in a different city.
- Atelier LUMA: Arles (France)-based bioregion and circular materials laboratory focused on textile/material upcycling and regenerative design. Comparable textile and circular-economy focus with maakleerplek's TextielLab and Leuven River Upcycling programs.
- Timelab: Belgian community production house for contemporary art, design, and technology located in Ghent. Comparable model: shared tools, maker activities, and programs for creative professionals with social innovation orientation, but in a different Flemish city.
- Z33 House for Contemporary Art: Hasselt-based Flemish contemporary art institution with artist residencies, exhibitions, and craft/design programming. Comparable artist-residency and design-craft focus like maakleerplek's Deelplek Ateliers and Grafisch Lab programming.
- FabLab Genk: Belgian Fab Lab in Genk providing community access to digital fabrication tools (lasercutting, 3D printing, CNC). Directly comparable Fab-Lab-style infrastructure and open access mission but located in a different municipality.
Emerging players
- The Restart Project: UK-based non-profit organizing community repair events for electronics and household items. Strong overlap with maakleerplek's Elektro Herstel Hub in mission and approach, though it operates as event-based rather than permanent location based.
- Waag Futurelab: Amsterdam-based research lab combining maker/technology activity with social innovation, public engagement, and inclusion themes. Highly comparable mix of fabrication, social programs, and European policy alignment.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
maakleerplek social profiles
Digital presencemaakleerplek financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
maakleerplek leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
maakleerplek subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries10 records
maakleerplek funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
maakleerplek 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 maakleerplek
What does maakleerplek do?
maakleerplek is a community maker space at the historic Molens van Orshoven site in Leuven that provides shared access to digital fabrication equipment (laser cutting, 3D printing, CNC machining), traditional craft facilities (textile, printmaking, photography), and repair services. It operates multiple specialized labs (High Tech Lab, Grafisch Lab, TextielLab) alongside repair hubs, a tool lending library, coworking space, and a community canteen, all offered on usage-based or subscription terms. The facility is facilitated by the City of Leuven and project developer Ertzberg as an ESF pioneer project.
Is maakleerplek a public or private company?
maakleerplek is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was maakleerplek founded?
maakleerplek was founded in -1. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is maakleerplek based?
maakleerplek is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, in the Europe region.
How does maakleerplek make money?
Eight revenue lines are on record. Machine Usage Fees are the primary driver. The others are workshop and Course Fees, coworking Space Rental, canteen and Summer Bar Revenue, repair Services, tool Library Membership, space and Professional Services Rental and municipal and ESF Funding.
Who are maakleerplek's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Repair Café International and Fab Foundation. iFixit is listed as an others. Regional players are iMAL (Interactive Media Art Laboratory), Atelier LUMA, Timelab, Z33 House for Contemporary Art and FabLab Genk. Emerging players are The Restart Project and Waag Futurelab.
Does maakleerplek have an API?
No public API is recorded for maakleerplek.
What industry is maakleerplek in?
maakleerplek's product category is Community Maker Space. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMADAC, Makerspaces & Fab Labs (Open Build Studios).