Open Innovation Centers

What Open Innovation Centers does

Open Innovation Centers (OIC) is a community innovation hub operating physical labs in Lodi (900 E. Victor Rd) and Stockton (306 E. Main St), California, with service reach across San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties. The organization delivers free, grant-funded workforce development programs to underserved adult learners, K-12 youth, and aspiring entrepreneurs in technology-adjacent fields. Core programs include a 12-week 3D Printing Technician course (New Collar Network Master Badge), an 8-week Getting Started with Unity course (Unity Certified User: Programmer exam included, ~$2,000 implied value), a VR Development course (Unity Certified User: VR Developer), a Create & Develop Mini Games course, and a cohort-based Video Game Incubator for graduates pursuing published games on Steam. Supplementary offerings include the Learn Together guided pathway into Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, IBM, and Meta certificates via Coursera, and entrepreneurship support through partnerships with San Joaquin County WorkNet, SBDC, and iHub.

The technology stack centers on the Unity game engine (C#) with the XR Interaction Toolkit for VR, Fusion 360 for CAD design, and Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printers for additive manufacturing. The 3D Printing pathway delivers a stackable digital badge sequence (Intro to Digital Design, Fusion 360, Design FDM, Manufacturing FDM, Fundamentals FDM, Post-Processing FDM, Maintenance FDM, Master FDM) through the New Collar Network curriculum. The Unity pathway culminates in industry-recognized Unity certifications (Programmer, VR Developer, Game Developer). The FuturePlay Arcade publicly showcases student-built games using Construct 3 and Unity. A dual-lab flex format allows students to access facilities at either the Lodi or Stockton center for hands-on projects.

OIC operates as a community-focused nonprofit with revenue derived from government and foundation grants (Catalyst Grant, North Valley Thrive Grant), donations through GiveButter, and scholarship support from Grow with Google covering Coursera tuition. All major courses are offered at no cost to learners, with the Unity course representing approximately $2,000 in tuition value and including the certification exam fee. The go-to-market is partnership-driven: school and district channels for youth programs, San Joaquin County WorkNet and SBDC for entrepreneur referrals, and a board comprising local civic leaders (Lodi Chamber of Commerce CEO, New Collar Network Founder, Lodi Unified educators) to maintain regional alignment. Marketing is almost entirely organic — community partnerships, word-of-mouth, and Google Forms enrollment — with no evidence of paid acquisition channels.

Name

Open Innovation Centers

Legal name

Open Innovation Centers

Website

https://openinnovationcenters.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Open Innovation Centers is a community innovation hub in Lodi and Stockton, California, offering free grant-funded workforce training in 3D printing, Unity game development, VR, and entrepreneurship to underserved adult learners, youth, and local entrepreneurs across San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development and Technology Education Services

NAICS

Computer Training (611420), Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

STEM & Coding Learning Centers (Robotics, Programming, Engineering) (EDANAHAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Emerging Tech & Specialized Computing (IoT, Edge, AR/VR, Blockchain, HPC) (EDABAFAO), Public Career & Technical Education (CTE) Centers & Programs (EDAJAAAJ), STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAG)

Keywords

• Workforce development training
• 3D printing education
• Game development courses
• Community innovation centers
• STEAM education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Stockton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: Primary revenue from government and foundation grants including Catalyst Grant, North Valley Thrive Grant. Grants fund course delivery at no cost to participants.
2. Donations: Community donations through GiveButter platform support expanded access to tools, training, and mentorship programs.
3. Grow with Google Scholarship Program: Partnership with Google providing scholarships to cover Coursera certificate costs for eligible learners. No cost to participants while building workforce credentials.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Open Innovation Centers is a community innovation hub that delivers hands-on technology workforce development programs — primarily 3D printing, Unity game development, VR development, and Google Career Certificate preparation — at no cost to learners in Lodi and Stockton, California through grant and donor funding. Programs lead to industry-recognized credentials such as the New Collar Network 3D Printing Technician Master Badge and Unity Certified User certifications.

Product overview

Open Innovation Centers operates as a community innovation hub and educational organization offering multiple programs under distinct brands. FuturePlay Academy provides modular game and VR development courses (Getting Started with Unity, Getting Started with VR, Create & Develop Mini Games) leading to Unity certifications, culminating in a Video Game Incubator for graduates. The 3D Printing Technician Course delivers digital fabrication training through the New Collar Network badge program. The Learn Together Program provides guided pathways to industry certificates from Google, Amazon, Meta, IBM, and others via Grow with Google scholarships on Coursera. Supporting offerings include free Explore Workshops, a public FuturePlay Arcade showcasing student games, and Entrepreneurship Support through SJC Incubator partnerships. The organization runs physical labs in Lodi and Stockton, California, with all programs emphasizing hands-on applied learning and portfolio-ready outcomes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FuturePlay Academy: A program at Open Innovation Centers teaching video game development and 3D printing skills through hands-on micro-credential based learning.
• Learn Together Program
• FuturePlay Arcade
• Video Game Incubator

Products and services

• FuturePlay Academy Modular video game and VR development program that takes learners from beginner to published developer through Unity-based courses and industry certifications, operated under the FuturePlay Academy sub-brand at Open Innovation Centers.
• Getting Started with Unity Course 8-week foundation course (160+ hours) teaching Unity game engine fundamentals through 2D and 3D mini-game projects, preparing students for the Unity Certified User: Programmer certification (exam fee included).
• Getting Started with VR Course Introduction to Unity specifically for Virtual Reality development, covering XR Interaction Toolkit and spatial interaction, with preparation for the Unity Certified User: VR Developer certification (exam attempt and retake covered).
• 3D Printing Technician Course 12-week full-time immersive 3D printing program covering CAD design, printer operation, slicing, and manufacturing skills, leading to the New Collar Network 3D Printing Technician Master Badge.
• Create & Develop Mini Games Course

Quantifiable outcome

• Industry-recognized Unity Certified User: Programmer credential ($130 exam fee included)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• San Joaquin County WorkNet / SBDCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSJC Incubator partnership with San Joaquin County WorkNet and Small Business Development Center supports aspiring entrepreneurs in exploring business launch or refining early ideas. No prior business experience required; participation offered at no cost. Participants gain mentorship, hands-on guidance, pitch opportunities, and chance to earn grant funding.
• Grow with GooglecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOIC serves as Grow with Google scholarship administrator and learning center, providing in-person support for Google Career Certificates through Coursera. Eligible learners receive scholarships and ongoing support to complete certifications in fields like IT support, data analytics, UX design, and project management.
• New Collar NetworkcoreTechnology or IntegrationNew Collar Network provides 3D Printing Technician curriculum and digital badge system including Intro to Digital Design, Fusion 360, Design FDM, Manufacturing FDM, Fundamentals FDM, Post-Processing FDM, Maintenance FDM, and Master FDM badges. Sarah Boisvert, Founder of New Collar Network, serves on OIC Board.
• Lodi Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJP Douchette, CEO of Lodi Chamber of Commerce, serves on OIC Board, providing strategic alignment between OIC workforce development programs and local business community needs.
• iHubminorGTM or Marketing PartneriHub partnership provides technical assistance and resources for existing businesses in San Joaquin County seeking growth, including AI/automation consulting and grant writing support.
• UnitycoreTechnology or IntegrationOIC is authorized Unity learning partner delivering courses aligned to Unity Certified User: Programmer and Unity Certified User: VR Developer certifications. Exam fees included in tuition; curriculum prepares students for professional credentials recognized by employers.
• Lodi Public LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing accessible learning locations and supporting workforce development initiatives in the Lodi area.
• Lemelson MITminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClare Bhakta developed 'Inventing Smart Solutions' A-G approved curriculum for Lemelson MIT invention education program. OIC Executive Director previously worked with Lemelson MIT 2020-2022 on curriculum design and teacher support.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Maker Media (Make: Community / Maker Spaces): Ecosystem of makerspaces and hands-on STEAM learning communities. Comparable in promoting hands-on making and 3D printing skills, with a wider hobbyist audience versus OIC's workforce/credential focus.
• Nucamp: Affordable online and in-person coding bootcamp offering web development, Python, and iOS tracks. Comparable affordability-oriented tech training positioning, with broader software stack and online-first delivery versus OIC's physical labs.

Direct peers

• New Collar Network: Curriculum and credential provider for 'New Collar' tech roles not requiring four-year degrees. OIC uses its 3D Printing Technician badge stack; comparable in target learner and industry-recognized micro-credential approach.
• Per Scholas: National nonprofit providing no-cost technology workforce training to underserved adults. Comparable to OIC's tuition-free, employer-aligned training model, though operating at much larger scale across multiple U.S. cities.
• NPower: Nonprofit offering tuition-free tech training and job placement for underserved young adults and veterans. Comparable tuition-free workforce model, with a broader IT curriculum (cloud, cybersecurity, software) versus OIC's narrower 3D printing/Unity focus.
• Year Up: Workforce development nonprofit serving young adults from underserved communities with tech training and corporate internships. Comparable mission around tuition-free training and employer pathways for non-degree candidates.

Broad incumbents

• Coursera (Grow with Google / Career Certificates): Global online learning platform hosting Google Career Certificates that OIC's Learn Together program supports. Comparable end-credential (Google certificates) but distributed entirely online at massive scale versus OIC's in-person guided cohort layer.
• Unity Technologies (Authorized Training Partners): Owner of the Unity engine and the certified training ecosystem. OIC is a local authorized Unity learning partner, while Unity is the broad incumbent defining the curriculum, certifications, and tools OIC teaches.
• Galvanize: Tech education provider offering bootcamps and enterprise training in software, data science, and AI. Comparable in offering tech skills training with employer pathways, though at commercial tuition and broader curriculum scope than OIC.

Others

• Lemelson MIT (Invention Education Program): MIT-based invention education initiative developing K–12 invention curricula where OIC's Executive Director previously worked. Not a competitor; a curriculum partner and ecosystem participant in STEAM/invention education.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/open-innovation-centers
• Facebookfacebook.com/openinnovationcenters

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Open Innovation Centers