tbx and regional economic development

Friday, November 21, 2014

Think[box]: Regional Collaboration, Economic Development

What is think[box]?

Creating a Culture of Innovation in Northeast Ohio

• Dedicated space to foster collaboration, creativity, invention

• Supporting the next generation of makers (a.k.a “manufacturers”)

• Creates an engine for entrepreneurial growth by linking students, staff, faculty, business and community.

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Think[box] 2.0(approx. 49,000 sq ft)

Think[box] 1.0(approx. 4,500 sq ft)

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Proposed Floor Assignments- Phase 1: Floors 2 - 5Think[box] Draft Master Plan

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1: Community

2: Collaboration

3: Prototyping

4: Fabrication

5: Projects

6: Entrepreneurship

7: Incubation

Is Think[box] Good for NEO?• 20% of visitors in 1.0 space from our regional community • Since July 2012, 34 product ideas.

– Two Kickstarter campaigns– 12 CWRU students attended the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show. \– 12 accepted into accelerators such as Bizdom.com (3),

Launchhouse.com (5) and Flashstarts.com (4) each receiving $20,000 to $25,000 with a number receiving additional follow on financing.

• From the community, cottage industries emerging. – Knitting needle gauges – Tridente Beach Paddles

• Industry involvement is being tested. – RP+M

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How do we move forward?• Trust

– We really believe in being a resource for the community.– We are fundraising to build endowment.– More than CWRU

• Support One Another– GREAT to have lots of fab labs, entrepreneurial spaces, and support.– Share the wealth, share the talent

• Share the language– The Maker Triangle– Makers and Manufacturers– Makers, Innovators, and Creators

…and come to the Party!

October 2015!!!