MakerspaceCT
MakerspaceCT is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a 28,000 sq ft multi-discipline fabrication facility in Hartford, CT, offering membership-based workshop access and tuition-free STEM/engineering training programs to students, makers, entrepreneurs, and underserved communities in Connecticut.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersHartford, Connecticut, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What MakerspaceCT does
The organization monetizes through tiered subscription memberships, paid class enrollment, drop-in fees ($20 for non-members at Test & Tunes events), Think Tank conference center rentals, and a diversified base of grants and corporate donations from more than 30 sponsors including Stanley Black & Decker, Travelers, Kaman, and CBIA. Distribution is primarily direct via the app.makerspacect.com platform, in-person facility tours, and institutional channel partners. Signature events — MakerBattle (annual robot combat competition since 2021) and monthly Test & Tunes meetups — drive community engagement and serve as both marketing assets and incremental revenue streams.
MakerspaceCT firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MakerspaceCT
- Legal name
- MCEIVR, INC
- Website
- https://makerspacect.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- MakerspaceCT is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a 28,000 sq ft multi-discipline fabrication facility in Hartford, CT, offering membership-based workshop access and tuition-free STEM/engineering training programs to students, makers, entrepreneurs, and underserved communities in Connecticut.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MakerspaceCT industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Skills Development Center / Community Maker Space
- akta.pro industry
- Makerspaces & Fab Labs (Open Build Studios)Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Robotics, Engineering & Makerspaces3D Printing, CAD & Digital Fabrication ProgramsEducation/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Robotics, Engineering & MakerspacesMakerspace, Innovation Lab & Fab Lab Operations (Tools, Safety, Programming)Science & STEM Lab Equipment & Supplies (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Makerspaces)Education/Education Facilities & Support Services/Education Supplies, Equipment & Furniture Procurement
Keywords
Where MakerspaceCT is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hartford, Connecticut
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
MakerspaceCT business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Fees: Membership-based shared workshop access with various tiers offering different levels of access to the 28,000 square foot facility, equipment, and resources.
- Educational Programs: Revenue from structured educational programs including Engineering Primer Program, Summer STEM camps, and OSHA safety training courses.
- Event Hosting: Revenue from hosting events including MakerBattle robot combat competitions, Test & Tunes meetups, and facility rentals through the Think Tank conference center.
- Grants and Donations: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funded through grants from foundations (Infosys Foundation USA, Petit Family Foundation, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving) and corporate donors.
- Drop-in Fees: Non-members pay $20 drop-in fee for Test & Tunes events while members receive free access to these events.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Membership Plans - various tiers with different access levels |
| Subscription | Monthly | Combat Robotics Membership |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Drop-in Fee - Test & Tunes |
| Other | Other | Engineering Programs (EFC & Primer) |
| Freemium | Other | Girls in Gaming Program |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
MakerspaceCT product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MakerspaceCT operates a membership-based shared workshop facility in Hartford, Connecticut providing individuals, students, makers, entrepreneurs, and local manufacturers with access to ten specialized workshops (woodshop, metal fabrication, machine shop, textiles & jewelry, computer lab, plastics lab, digital fabrication, and conference center) equipped with professional-grade tools. The organization complements facility access with structured STEM educational programs including job training, summer camps, safety certification, game design, and robot combat competitions.
Product overview
MakerspaceCT is a 28,000 square foot nonprofit skills development center located in the G. Fox Building in downtown Hartford, Connecticut. The organization operates a membership-based shared workshop model offering access to ten individual shops: Woodshop, Metal Fabrication Shop, Textiles & Jewelry, Machine Shop, Computer Lab, Plastics Lab, Digital Fabrication Shop, and Think Tank Conference Center. Beyond facility access, the core educational products include the Engineering Primer Program (10-week job training for high school students), MAKE'n'ABLE (8-week 3D printing prosthetics program), Summer STEM day camp, OSHA10 safety training, Engineering Fundamentals Course (for young adults 18-24), Game Design for Girls, and MakerBattle (annual robot combat competition). The organization serves makers, manufacturers, entrepreneurs, students, and hobbyists seeking access to tools, technology, and educational opportunities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Membership-Based Shared Workshop Access Tiered monthly memberships granting access to the 28,000 square foot facility in the G. Fox Building in downtown Hartford, including equipment and workspace across woodshop, metal fabrication, machine shop, computer lab, plastics lab, digital fabrication, textiles & jewelry, and Think Tank conference center. For individual makers, hobbyists, entrepreneurs, students, and local manufacturers.
- Woodshop Fully equipped woodworking shop with Sawstop table saws, CNC router, planers, jointers, lathes, drill presses, bandsaws, and dust collection systems, available to members and through shop access.
- Metal Fabrication Shop Metal fabrication facility with sheet metal equipment, welding booths, plasma cutting, blacksmithing forge, MIG/TIG/STICK welding equipment (Lincoln and Miller).
- Textiles & Jewelry Shop Textiles workshop with JUKI commercial sewing machines and jewelry fabrication equipment including torches, soldering tools, and lapidary equipment.
- Machine Shop Precision machining facility with Haas TM-1p tool room mill, manual Bridgeport mills, metal lathes, and granite slab tables.
- Computer Lab Design workstations with Dell Precision towers running OnShape, SolidWorks, Mastercam, VCarve Pro, LightBurn, and FlashCut CNC software.
- Plastics Lab Plastic fabrication workshop with vacuum forming, milling, and acrylic bending equipment.
- Digital Fabrication Shop Digital fabrication lab with Prusa i3 MK3 and Form Labs Form2 3D printers, laser cutters, vinyl cutter, CNC mill, 3D scanners, and electronics workstations with soldering and oscilloscope equipment.
- Think Tank Conference Center 1,500 square foot conference space with seating for 75, divisible into three rooms of 25 each, with 4K TVs, PA audio system, and wireless mics; available for hourly or daily rental for team building, training, and presentations.
- Engineering Primer Program 10-week job training program covering multiple areas of engineering and manufacturing for high school students aged 14-18 in Connecticut; tuition-free through Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, City of Hartford, and Ensworth Charitable Foundation funding.
- MAKE'n'ABLE 8-week program for high school students teaching computer-aided design and 3D printing principles; students produce 3D printed prosthetic limbs and mechanical hands donated to amputees in need.
- Summer STEM Program Multi-week technology and arts based summer day camp program with unique hands-on curriculum each week including a take-home product.
- OSHA10 Safety Training Safety training program providing OSHA 10-hour construction or general industry certification.
- MakerBattle Annual robot combat competition for all ages featuring Fairyweight, Antweight, and Plastic Antweight weight classes held at the on-site arena.
- Engineering Fundamentals Course Comprehensive introduction to product creation, engineering, and manufacturing for young adults aged 18-24 in Hartford; students design and produce working prototypes with CAD, 3D printing, and electronics assembly skills. Tuition-free through Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, City of Hartford, and Ensworth Charitable Foundation funding.
- Game Design for Girls Educational program empowering Connecticut girls ages 14-17 to explore coding, 3D modeling, pixel art, music composition, and storytelling while building their own video games. Free 20-hour program funded by Infosys Foundation USA.
- Combat Robotics / Test & Tunes Monthly robot combat meetup allowing participants to test and battle Fairyweight, Antweight, or Plastic Antweight robots in the arena; $20 drop-in fee for non-members, free for members.
Quantifiable outcome
- 42 high school students earned credentials completing 60 hours of training in Engineering Primer Program (2023-2024)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use MakerspaceCT
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
MakerspaceCT technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
MakerspaceCT partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- UConn HartfordcoreMakerspaceCT provides workshop space, instruction, and hands-on learning opportunities for students enrolled in ENGR 1166: Foundations of Engineering. This is the first partnership between these two Downtown Hartford institutions. Each student receives a MakerspaceCT membership for access beyond class hours. The partnership fosters experiential learning and connects students with real-world engineering challenges.
- CBIAminorCorporate sponsor listed among Thank You to Our Sponsors, Grantors and Donors.
- Connecticut Science CenterminorCorporate sponsor listed among Thank You to Our Sponsors, Grantors and Donors.
- McEIVR, Inc. (Parent Organization)coreMakerspaceCT is a program of McEIVR, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. McEIVR operates as the legal entity with Board of Directors overseeing MakerspaceCT operations.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
MakerspaceCT competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- ReadyCT: Connecticut nonprofit focused on connecting education to careers in advanced manufacturing and STEM. Listed as a MakerspaceCT sponsor; serves a closely aligned workforce-development mission for the same target population.
- Fab Foundation: Nonprofit that supports the global Fab Lab network and provides standards, training, and resources to community fab labs. MakerspaceCT operates in a similar ecosystem and is a candidate Fab Lab affiliate; relevant as an enabler/industry network.
- Connecticut Science Center: Hartford-based STEM education institution listed as a MakerspaceCT sponsor and partner. Operates in adjacent STEM-education and workforce-development space and serves overlapping Connecticut audiences.
- CONNSTEP: Connecticut nonprofit that provides manufacturing assistance, training, and workforce development to CT manufacturers — listed as a MakerspaceCT sponsor. Complementary role in the CT manufacturing skills ecosystem.
Direct peers
- Open Works: Baltimore nonprofit makerspace offering wood, metal, jewelry, textiles, digital fabrication, and education programming. Comparable501(c)(3) community makerspace model with educational and workforce-development programming.
- Milwaukee Makerspace: Community 501(c)(3) makerspace in Milwaukee offering shared access to woodworking, metalworking, CNC, 3D printing, and electronics tools. Closely analogous nonprofit membership model and fabrication capability stack.
- Artisan's Asylum: Community makerspace in Somerville, MA offering shared workshop access across wood, metal, electronics, textiles, and digital fabrication. Closely comparable mission and member-based revenue model to MakerspaceCT, though smaller in scale.
- NextFab: Philadelphia-based makerspace and hardware startup incubator with multi-discipline fabrication equipment and educational programming. Comparable membership + education hybrid model and similar target customer base of makers, entrepreneurs, and small manufacturers.
- AS220 Labs: Community fab lab in Providence, RI providing open-access digital fabrication (3D printing, laser cutting, CNC, electronics) alongside arts and maker programming. Operates as a nonprofit with a similar community/educational mission to MakerspaceCT.
- Dallas Makerspace: Large community makerspace in Texas providing shared workshop access across woodworking, metalworking, electronics, 3D printing, and textiles. Operates as a member-supported nonprofit with similar workshop breadth to MakerspaceCT.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
MakerspaceCT social profiles
Digital presenceMakerspaceCT financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MakerspaceCT leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles17 records
MakerspaceCT funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MakerspaceCT 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 MakerspaceCT
What does MakerspaceCT do?
MakerspaceCT operates a membership-based shared workshop facility in Hartford, Connecticut providing individuals, students, makers, entrepreneurs, and local manufacturers with access to ten specialized workshops (woodshop, metal fabrication, machine shop, textiles & jewelry, computer lab, plastics lab, digital fabrication, and conference center) equipped with professional-grade tools. The organization complements facility access with structured STEM educational programs including job training, summer camps, safety certification, game design, and robot combat competitions.
Is MakerspaceCT a public or private company?
MakerspaceCT is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was MakerspaceCT founded?
MakerspaceCT was founded in 2019. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is MakerspaceCT based?
MakerspaceCT is headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut, United States, in the North America region.
How does MakerspaceCT make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are educational Programs, event Hosting, grants and Donations and drop-in Fees.
Who are MakerspaceCT's main competitors?
Others on record are ReadyCT, Fab Foundation, Connecticut Science Center and CONNSTEP. Direct peers are Open Works, Milwaukee Makerspace, Artisan's Asylum, NextFab, AS220 Labs and Dallas Makerspace.
Does MakerspaceCT have an API?
No public API is recorded for MakerspaceCT.
What industry is MakerspaceCT in?
MakerspaceCT's product category is Skills Development Center / Community Maker Space. 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.