Association PiNG

What Association PiNG does

Association PiNG is a Nantes-based non-profit association (loi 1901) founded in 2004 that operates an integrated ecosystem of physical makerspaces, professional training programs, and community projects focused on critical digital culture and popular education (éducation populaire). The association serves a heterogeneous base of individual citizens, professionals in associative and cultural sectors, persons with disabilities, and youth éloignés de l'emploi through two flagship tiers-lieux — Hyperlien, a citizen fablab and laboratory of digital cultures opened in 2023 at the Halles on Île de Nantes, and the Atelier Partagé du Breil, a low-tech repair workshop at the Pôle associatif du 38 Breil. PiNG runs an 11-person team and maintains a high-frequency calendar of 275+ events per year, supplemented by the annual Summerlab (~100 participants over 5 days), Open Atelier sessions, and European co-design projects.

Its core technology stack is deliberately built on open-source and free/libre principles: GRAV CMS for web presence, the Wiki Fablabo collaborative documentation platform (fablabo.net), and physical digital fabrication equipment (3D printers, laser cutters, CNC mills, vinyl cutters, embroidery machines). The organization has accumulated an extensive open-licensed knowledge commons — 183+ resource pages on ressources.pingbase.net organized into Récits/Recherches/Pratiques, a 500+ reference physical library, multiple podcast series (Radio Contretemps, La Tête dans le Flux, Papier/Machine) — all published under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA. PiNG also operates Wiki Fablabo, an open badging system, and the Papier/Machine residency program combining artisanal paper craft with digital fabrication.

PiNG's revenue model is diversified across four streams: annual membership fees (adhésions), Qualiopi-certified professional training (formations professionnelles, OPCO-financed across six target sectors), voluntary donations through its online shop, and usage-based fees for makerspace access. Distribution occurs primarily through direct engagement at its Nantes sites and through the CONUMM regional digital mediation hub, which PiNG coordinates across Pays de la Loire. Key institutional partners include Fondation Orange (funder of Fablab Solidaire and Empowerlab programs), OpenDot (Milan), Humanlab APAJH 44, École ÊTRE de Nantes (Promettre), École de Design Nantes Atlantique, Ligue de l'Enseignement, and Maison du Libre. The association is governed by an independent Conseil d'Administration with no parent organization or subsidiaries.

Name

Association PiNG

Legal name

Association PiNG

Website

https://pingbase.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Association PiNG is a Nantes-based non-profit founded in 2004 operating citizen fablabs (Hyperlien, Atelier Partagé du Breil), Qualiopi-certified professional training, and digital inclusion programs serving citizens, cultural-sector professionals, persons with disabilities, and youth éloignés de l'emploi in Pays de la Loire, France.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Digital Culture & Makerspace Services

NAICS

Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations) (81399)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Education Access & EdTech for Equity (Low-cost Learning, Skills Platforms) (BPAGALAH)

Keywords

• Digital culture education
• Community fablab services
• Digital fabrication training
• Repair and low-tech workshops
• Popular digital mediation

Headquarters

HQ city

Nantes

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees (Adhésions): PiNG operates as a loi 1901 association sustained in part by annual membership fees from its members (adhérents). Membership grants access to workshops and the community.
2. Professional Training: PiNG delivers professional training programs (formations professionnelles) for sectors including associations, arts/culture, tiers-lieux, mediation, education, ESS, and public action. Training is eligible for OPCO ( Skills Opérateur de Compétences) financing.
3. Donations: PiNG accepts donations through its online shop (ping.odoo.com), providing an additional voluntary contribution revenue stream from members and supporters.
4. Venue Rental and Workshop Access: Hyperlien and Atelier Partagé du Breil operate as open-access makerspaces where users pay for time-based access to equipment and space, generating usage-based revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Association PiNG operates open-access makerspaces (Hyperlien fablab and Atelier Partagé du Breil) in Nantes where citizens, professionals, and artists access digital fabrication tools (3D printers, laser cutters, CNC mills), engage in repair and low-tech practices, and participate in workshops and events. The association also delivers professional training programs (formations professionnelles) eligible for OPCO funding, alongside a digital resource platform documenting research, practices, and stories on digital culture under Creative Commons licenses.

Product overview

Association PiNG is a Nantes-based association founded in 2004 that operates a portfolio of interconnected physical and digital spaces focused on popular education and critical exploration of digital culture. The core offering is centered on three physical tiers-lieux in Nantes: Hyperlien (a citizen fablab and laboratory of digital cultures opened 2023), Plateforme C (a pedagogical fablab operated 2013-2022), and the Atelier Partage du Breil (a low-tech repair workshop opened 2016). These are complemented by a digital resource platform (ressources.pingbase.net) organizing documentation across stories, research, and practices, plus professional training programs and territorial digital mediation services. The portfolio also includes specialized sub-projects: SeWith (European co-design for disability), Empowerlab (fablab pathway for youth), Summerlab (annual collective experimentation camp), Radio Contretemps (critical radio), Papier/Machine (art/fabrication hybrid), Les Doigts dans la Prise (seminar series), Recherche-Creation (art/research program), and Resistances Electroniques. Together these form an integrated ecosystem of spaces, programs, and digital resources for re-appropriating digital technologies through practice and critical reflection.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hyperlien (Citizen Fablab & Laboratory of Digital Cultures) Open-access fablab opened in 2023 at Halles 1&2, 5 allée Frida Kahlo, Nantes. Provides public access to digital fabrication tools (3D printers, laser cutters, CNC mills, vinyl cutters, embroidery machines) for individuals, hobbyists, professionals, and artists during scheduled hours. Serves as PiNG's flagship tiers-lieu for discovery, practice, and exchange around digital culture.
• Atelier Partagé du Breil (Low-tech Repair Workshop) Shared repair and low-tech workshop located at the Pôle associatif du 38 Breil, Nantes, focused on repair, low-tech practices, and community 'Bricolage Convivial'. Open Tuesday evenings and other scheduled times. No technical prerequisites required; membership-based access.
• Formations Professionnelles (Professional Training Programs) Professional training programs covering fablab animation, digital mediation, hybrid arts, documentation methods, and Qualiopi processes. Targeted at professionals in associations, cultural/artistic sectors, tiers-lieux, mediation, education, ESS, and public action. Eligible for OPCO (Opérateur de Compétences) financing.
• PiNG Ressources Numériques (Digital Resource Platform) Online platform at ressources.pingbase.net organizing PiNG's documentation across three sections — Récits (stories), Recherches (research), and Pratiques (practices) — featuring articles, podcasts, videos, sound archives, and over 500 bibliographic references. Hosts 183+ resource fiches documenting research, practices, and stories related to digital cultures.
• SeWith (European Co-design Project) European co-design project focused on developing adapted clothing and technical aids for people with disabilities. Conducted in partnership with OpenDot (Milan, Italy) and Humanlab APAJH 44, involving co-design workshops with persons with disabilities, textile designers, and volunteers across France and Italy.
• Empowerlab (Fablab Pathway Program) 10-day fablab parcours supporting 10 young people éloignés de l'emploi et de la formation to develop transversal, digital, and digital fabrication skills through textile and co-design projects. Run in partnership with École Être de Nantes (Promettre) and funded by Fondation Orange.
• Summerlab (Annual Collective Experimentation Camp) Annual summer collective experimentation camp organized by PiNG. Typically spanning 3-5 days with around 100 participants, following an auto-managed agenda format where participants propose and run workshops, combining lab-work, shared meals, and evening events.
• Radio Contretemps A radio program produced by PiNG exploring critical perspectives on digital culture, technology, and society, broadcasting on local Nantes radio stations. Includes the 'Les Doigts dans la Prise' seminar series and 'La Tête dans le Flux' broadcast on Jet FM.
• Papier/Machine (Shared Hybrid Lab) Shared laboratory project exploring the intersection of traditional artisanal printing/paper craft and digital fabrication machines (laser cutter, vinyl cutter, CNC router). Combines artist residencies, workshops, and micro-publishing experiments under a hybrid graphic and book-making methodology.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 500 reference books and resources in the physical resource space at 38 Breil
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• École ÊTRE de Nantes (Promettre)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026École ÊTRE de Nantes partnered with PiNG on the Empowerlab 2026 parcours, a 10-day program supporting 10 young people éloignés de l'emploi through textile and digital fabrication skills, creating adapted banana bags for students at the collège Isabelle Autissier in Nort-sur-Erdre. Supported and funded by Fondation Orange.
• Humanlab APAJH 44coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2025The Humanlab of APAJH 44 is a healthcare-focused makerspace for persons with disabilities. Co-organizer with PiNG of the SeWith co-design workshops, bringing expertise in assistive technology and care practices to the partnership. Located at humanlabapajh44.org.
• OpenDot (Milan, Italy)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 January 2025OpenDot is a Milan-based fablab specializing in co-design methodologies for assistive technology and care. Within the European SeWith project (2025), PiNG partners with OpenDot to exchange co-design methods and run joint workshops in Nantes and Milan focused on adapted clothing for people with disabilities. OpenDot trained PiNG and Humanlab APAJH 44 staff in co-design methodology.
• CONUMM (Hub Acteurs de la Médiation Numérique)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPiNG coordinates the CONUMM hub for Pays de la Loire, a regional network of digital mediation actors. Through this hub, PiNG develops territorial coordination and mutualization of practices among mediation professionals across the region.
• Lieu Multiple (Poitiers)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLieu Multiple, based at Espace Mendès France in Poitiers, co-organized the PREAC (Pôle de Ressources pour l'Éducation Artistique et Culturelle) days on 'Cartographie et IA : du réel aux imaginaires' with PiNG, hosting Julien Bellanger's intervention and sound documentation work.
• Mouvement pour des Savoirs Engagés et Reliés (MSER / OSER project)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPiNG participates in the OSER (Observatoire des Savoirs Engagés et Reliés) project, a multi-partner initiative on critical digital culture and extractivism, organizing the EXTRhackT knowledge-sharing day with Sciences Citoyennes, Multitudes, and Reprises de savoirs.
• Maison du LibreminorOthersMaison du Libre (alamaisondulibre.org) is a partner structure in the Nantes digital commons ecosystem, referenced as a cooperative partner on PiNG's cooperation page.
• École de Design Nantes AtlantiqueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing institutional partner of PiNG since the early years of Plateforme C, contributing pedagogical innovation and collaborative projects. Laurent (responsible for pedagogical innovation at the school) is cited in PiNG's oral history project as a key collaborator.
• Ligue de l'Enseignement (Fédération Loire-Atlantique)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLigue de l'Enseignement 85 co-participated in the 'Nouveaux Terrains de Formation' experimentation with PiNG and the Grand'R network, testing Formation en Situation de Travail (FEST) methodologies in digital mediation contexts.
• Les Portes LogiquesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLes Portes Logiques is a partner organization contributing sociological expertise to PiNG's oral history project. Laure Bouscasse, a sociologist from Les Portes Logiques, produced sound archive interviews with PiNG members, partners, and staff for the collective memory project.
• ART2M / Makery.infominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer of the Artlabo Retreat summerlab residency with La Gare (Centre d'art et de design, Brest), Kerminy, and Société d'Art Mécatronique de Suisse. PiNG's Clémence Curty participated in the 2025 edition on Île de Batz.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Artilect FabLab: Toulouse-based nonprofit fablab operating shared digital fabrication equipment, training, and community programming. Comparable to PiNG in offering open-access fabrication tools, professional training, and partnership-driven programming under a nonprofit model.
• Mains d'Œuvres: Saint-Ouen-based nonprofit tiers-lieu combining fablab-style fabrication, cultural programming, and community projects. Operates a comparable hybrid model of physical makerspace + cultural/educational programming with public-sector and foundation funding.
• Électrolab: Nanterre-based nonprofit fablab/hackerspace focused on electronics, digital fabrication, and maker community building. Comparable to PiNG in volunteer-supported makerspace operations, free/libre culture orientation, and training delivery.
• La Myne: Nonprofit fablab and tiers-lieu in Lyon offering open-access digital fabrication, repair workshops, and community programming. Direct comparable to PiNG in mission (popular education, free/libre tools) and operating model (volunteer-driven membership makerspace).
• La Fonderie: Paris-based association dedicated to digital culture and Internet history, offering mediation, training, and cultural programming. Comparable to PiNG in its nonprofit status, emphasis on critical digital culture, and professional training mission.
• Les Petits Débrouillards: French nonprofit association running popular science, digital literacy, and maker education programs across France. Comparable in mission (popular education, STEM/maker pedagogy, social inclusion), funding model (public + foundation), and operating scale.
• OpenDot: Milan-based fablab specializing in co-design methodologies for assistive technology and care. Direct comparable through the SeWith partnership; similar fablab model, emphasis on inclusive co-design, and European project participation.
• Plateau Urbain: Paris-based nonprofit cooperative managing temporary and affordable workspace, makerspaces, and tiers-lieux across France. Comparable to PiNG in operating tiers-lieu infrastructure, social/economic mission, and multi-stakeholder public funding model.

Broad incumbents

• Fab Foundation: US-based nonprofit operating the global Fab Lab network originating from MIT's Center for Bits and Atoms. Broad incumbent setting standards and methodology for fablabs worldwide; PiNG operates within this global movement while maintaining its critical pedagogy differentiation.

Regional players

• Stereolux: Nantes-based cultural venue combining digital arts, music, and maker programming. Regional peer sharing PiNG's Nantes base and overlap on digital culture, fabrication workshops, and critical/creative technology programming, though more venue- and event-led.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/association-ping

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Association PiNG