Nova Labs
Nova Labs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community makerspace in Fairfax, Virginia, providing members and the public with access to fabrication tools, technical classes, youth STEM programs, and corporate-sponsored community programming in Northern Virginia.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersFairfax, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Nova Labs does
Nova Labs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community makerspace headquartered at 3850 Jermantown Rd, Fairfax, Virginia, founded in 2011 and operating with approximately 30 board and staff members. The organization provides members and the public access to a fully equipped facility containing woodshop, metalworking and blacksmithing shops, CNC routing, laser cutting, 3D printing (FDM and resin), electronics stations, and craft/sewing studios. Its core products are tiered memberships (including a Key Membership with 24/7 access), a structured calendar of classes and safety sign-off training, an Innovation Center premium plan targeted at entrepreneurs, gift certificates, and on-site branded merchandise.
Beyond facility access, Nova Labs operates an education and community programming stack that includes MakerSchool youth summer camps, FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), FTC, and FLL teams under a dedicated Director, after-school programs, and community-project collaborations with local nonprofits such as the Town of Vienna Youth Players. The business model is hybrid: recurring membership fees, pay-per-class and usage-based tool/room bookings (via the Skedda platform), gift certificates and merchandise sales, philanthropic donations structured in tiered patron levels (Contributor through Champion), corporate sponsorships from organizations including Amazon, NASA, Bechtel, and Community Foundation NoVA, and dedicated youth robotics donations. An active 2025 Capital Campaign targets facility improvements. Distribution is single-site and primarily in-person in Northern Virginia, with secondary touchpoints through social media, the Wild Apricot member portal, MakerFaire NoVA, and the monthly Fairfax Funky Flea Market booth.
Nova Labs firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Nova Labs
- Legal name
- Nova Labs, Inc.
- Website
- https://nova-labs.org
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Nova Labs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community makerspace in Fairfax, Virginia, providing members and the public with access to fabrication tools, technical classes, youth STEM programs, and corporate-sponsored community programming in Northern Virginia.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Nova Labs industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Makerspace Services
- akta.pro primary industry
- Makerspace, Innovation Lab & Fab Lab Operations (Tools, Safety, Programming) (EDAEAGAI)
Keywords
Where Nova Labs is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Fairfax
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Nova Labs business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Membership Fees: Monthly and annual membership fees providing access to the makerspace, tools, advanced machinery, 24/7 access with Key Membership, online community discussion, and expert training/support.
- Classes and Training: Revenue from teaching classes and providing safety sign-offs for tools. Classes include blacksmithing, woodworking, electronics, resin art, and more. Pricing varies by class length and complexity.
- Tool and Room Booking: Fees for booking specific tools and spaces within the makerspace, managed through the Skedda booking system.
- Gift Cards and Certificates: Gift certificates sold in $50, $100, and $250 denominations, redeemable for memberships or classes.
- Merchandise: Sale of branded merchandise including t-shirts, totes, and novelty items. T-shirts priced at $15-20, totes at $15.
- Donations and Sponsorships: Tax-deductible donations as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Capital campaign for building/facility improvements. Corporate sponsorships from companies like Amazon, NASA, Bechtel. Donation tiers range from $100 (Contributor) to $5,000 (Champion).
- Youth Robotics Program: Donations specifically designated for youth robotics programs including FRC, FTC, and FLL teams, with opportunities to sponsor specific teams.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | ShopSabre CNC Safety Sign Off class - 2-session course with homework and 1-on-1 practice opportunities |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Gift Certificates - Available in multiple denominations |
| Subscription | Monthly | Donation tiers - Five patron levels |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Branded merchandise |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Nova Labs product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Nova Labs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community makerspace in Fairfax, VA that sells tiered memberships granting access to professional-grade fabrication equipment (CNC routers, laser cutters, 3D printers, woodworking and metalworking/blacksmithing tools, electronics and sewing studios) plus expert training, safety sign-offs, and an online community. It complements memberships with paid classes, summer camps under the MakerSchool brand, FIRST Robotics Competition teams, gift certificates, and a small retail store for branded merchandise.
Product overview
Nova Labs is a community makerspace offering a unified platform for hands-on learning, making, and entrepreneurship. The core offering centers on membership-based access to a fully equipped 3850 Jermantown Rd, Fairfax, VA facility with diverse shop studios (Woodshop, Metal Shop, CNC Shop, Laser Cutter, Blacksmith Shop, Crafters Cove, The Studio). This is complemented by structured educational classes and events, youth programs including FIRST Robotics Competition teams and summer camps under the MakerSchool brand, and an Innovation Center tier for entrepreneurs with specialized tools and Adobe Creative Cloud. The ecosystem also includes a retail store for branded merchandise and gift certificates. Nova Labs functions as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 45-3796580) supported by corporate sponsorships and individual donations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Nova Labs MakerSchool: Youth programs including summer camps, after school programs, and hands-on workshops for kids.
Products and services
- Nova Labs Makerspace Membership Recurring membership granting access to the multifunctional maker workspace, advanced machinery, tools, expert training and support, and the online community discussion; the Key Membership tier adds 24/7 facility access. Targeted at individual hobbyists, tinkerers, engineers, artisans, and entrepreneurs.
- Classes and Events Scheduled educational classes, workshops, and events covering maker skills such as woodworking, metalworking, electronics, 3D printing, laser cutting, blacksmithing, sewing, resin art, and CNC safety sign-offs. Open to members and the broader community.
- Nova Labs MakerSchool Summer Camp Seasonal youth summer camp programs under the MakerSchool brand, including Makerspace Explorers (CAD via Tinkercad, 3D printing, vinyl cutting, laser cutting, soldering) and Shop Foundations (woodworking, resin art, woodburning). Targeted at school-aged children and teens.
- FIRST Robotics Program Youth robotics program hosting FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition), FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge), and FLL (FIRST LEGO League) teams, including the Nova Labs Robotics team that competed at the FIRST Worlds 2024 championship.
- Nova Labs Gift Cards and Certificates Gift cards redeemable for memberships or classes, available in $50, $100, and $250 denominations and emailed to the recipient. Positioned for beginners, dabblers, and committed makers.
- Nova Labs Store (Branded Merchandise) On-site and online store selling branded merchandise printed in-house, including Nova Labs logo t-shirts, "Hot and Twisted" blacksmith t-shirts, youth t-shirts, and tote bags.
Quantifiable outcome
- Members have won multiple awards including Grand East Coast National Mediocre Champion at Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture Race and She Leads FIRST Women in STEM Award
Companies that use Nova Labs
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Nova Labs technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Nova Labs partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology)coreNova Labs hosts FIRST Robotics Competition teams and serves as a hub for youth STEM education through the FIRST program. Mary Thompson serves as Director of the FIRST Robotics program and the organization won the She Leads FIRST Women in STEM Award in 2026.
- Town of Vienna Youth PlayersminorCommunity theater program that collaborated with Nova Labs to create a cityscape backdrop for their production of Guys & Dolls, using the CNC shop to cut 12 sheets of plywood into detailed building facades.
- Nation of MakersminorNova Labs is represented by Jeanne Marshall who serves as the organization's representative with the Nation of Makers and co-produces MakerFaire NoVA.
- Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture Race / American Visionary Art MuseumminorAnnual race organized by AVAM where Nova Labs' Kinetic Sculpture Team has competed and won multiple awards including Grand East Coast National Mediocre Champion in 2026.
- National Bell FestivalminorNova Labs collaborated with National Bell Festival to build a stand for the Ukrainian Solidarity Bell, supporting the broader initiative.
- Fairfax Funky FleaminorLocal market that provides Nova Labs with a booth opportunity to showcase member work and introduce the community to the makerspace. Generous opportunity allowing Nova Labs makers to sell handmade goods.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Nova Labs competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Artisan's Asylum: A large community makerspace in Somerville, MA offering shared access to wood, metal, electronics, textiles, and digital fabrication tools via membership and classes. Directly comparable in mission, facility breadth, and community-led GTM.
- Dallas Makerspace: A nonprofit community makerspace offering broad fabrication equipment (wood, metal, CNC, laser, electronics, textiles) to members, with classes and community programs. Same nonprofit, community-membership model.
- Denver Maker Hub: A Colorado-based community makerspace and nonprofit providing equipment access, training, and youth STEM programming. Comparable mission and revenue model mix (membership + classes + donations).
- NYC Resistor: A Brooklyn-based hackerspace/makerspace providing member access to 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC, electronics, and sewing/textile equipment, alongside classes and events. Closely comparable operating model and equipment mix.
- All Hands Active: An Ann Arbor, MI community makerspace offering members access to woodworking, metalworking, electronics, laser cutting, and 3D printing. Comparable nonprofit makerspace with classes and community programming.
- HacDC: A Washington, DC-area hackerspace providing shared workspace, electronics, CNC, and 3D printing access to members, run as a community-driven nonprofit. Closely comparable geographically and structurally.
- Freeside Atlanta: An Atlanta-area nonprofit hackerspace/makerspace providing shared access to fabrication, electronics, and digital tools to members. Comparable in scale, structure, and community-led operations.
- HeatSync Labs: A Mesa, AZ community hackerspace offering members access to 3D printing, laser cutting, electronics, and CNC equipment alongside classes. Comparable nonprofit makerspace structure.
Others
- Nation of Makers: A national nonprofit umbrella organization representing U.S. makerspaces; Nova Labs' Jeanne Marshall is Nova Labs' representative with Nation of Makers. Ecosystem-level peer rather than direct operator.
Broad incumbents
- Maker Media: Operator of Make: Magazine and Maker Faire, the broad incumbent in the maker movement ecosystem. Not a direct makerspace operator but the dominant media/community brand shaping the space Nova Labs operates in.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Nova Labs social profiles
Digital presenceNova Labs financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Nova Labs leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Nova Labs funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Nova Labs 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 Nova Labs
What does Nova Labs do?
Nova Labs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community makerspace in Fairfax, VA that sells tiered memberships granting access to professional-grade fabrication equipment (CNC routers, laser cutters, 3D printers, woodworking and metalworking/blacksmithing tools, electronics and sewing studios) plus expert training, safety sign-offs, and an online community. It complements memberships with paid classes, summer camps under the MakerSchool brand, FIRST Robotics Competition teams, gift certificates, and a small retail store for branded merchandise.
Is Nova Labs a public or private company?
Nova Labs is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Nova Labs founded?
Nova Labs was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Nova Labs based?
Nova Labs is headquartered in Fairfax, United States, in the North America region.
How does Nova Labs make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are classes and Training, tool and Room Booking, gift Cards and Certificates, merchandise, donations and Sponsorships and youth Robotics Program.
Who are Nova Labs's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Artisan's Asylum, Dallas Makerspace, Denver Maker Hub, NYC Resistor, All Hands Active, HacDC, Freeside Atlanta and HeatSync Labs. Nation of Makers is listed as an others. Maker Media is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Nova Labs have an API?
No public API is recorded for Nova Labs.
What industry is Nova Labs in?
Nova Labs's product category is Community Makerspace Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAEAGAI, Makerspace, Innovation Lab & Fab Lab Operations (Tools, Safety, Programming).