burlington generatorThe nation’s 100 percent renewables-powered gigabit makerspace

OPPORTUNITY

Design and fabrication tools and processes are changing rapidly. As the maker movement grows the barriers to entry and competitiveness rise for independent creatives bringing ideas to scale - networks, knowledge, production.

57** Fifty seven percent of Americans consider themselves “makers.”

CONTEXT

Generator serves the greater Burlington area, home to the highest concentration of creatives in the state, which ranks fourth in artists per capita. We have density, not scale.

4** Vermont is ranked fourth in the nation for artists per capita

DRIVERS

Burlington represents a vibrant ecosystem fed by higher ed, creative firms, geography, targeted services, finance, quality of life and open political culture.

2** Burlington was recently ranked second nationally among America’s most innovative cities

Solution

Generator accelerates independent innovation and entrepreneurship by lowering entry costs, fostering creativity, learning, networks and collaboration, reducing startup risk.

What we do

Generator provides access to tools, workspaces and human resources that facilitate the design and fabrication of diverse products that serve as the basis of new companies.

5,600sf 7 workshops

High-end tools

who we serve

HOW WE DO IT

Generator creates value along three key lines of activity: creative community, education and training, and entrepreneurship.

Creativity Learning

Entrepreneurship

COMMUNITY

Ideas thrive when they rub against adjacent or new concepts or they are adapted to new contexts. Creatives are energized, motivated and engaged – and ultimately more productive – within a feedback-rich environment.

18 studios 225 members

13 board members 5 staff

COMMUNITY

• Monthly member meetings and build budget• Maker in residence to support fresh talent, projects • Social events to explore opportunities, ideas and projects • Skillshare to exchange talent and resources • BIG Maker speaker series brings outside talent and insight

Generator has built a learning ecosystem around basic workshop and tool certification, short-form workshops for exploration, and multi-week skills building classes.

TRAINING

Certification Workshops

Classes

• Certification courses offer tool operation and shop safety • Workshops offer fun, all ages opportunities to explore • Classes provide beginner and advanced techniques

TRAINING

Generator works with local educators and schools to support professional development and creativity in STEAM learning by connecting classrooms with makers in meaningful ways.

EDUCATION

Science Technology

Engineering

Arts Math

•Professional development for teachers •On-site tours and workshops for student groups • Maker teaching assistants to support classroom projects

EDUCATION

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Generator works to support the livelihoods of independent creatives and launch and grow new ventures.

50 percent startups

13 products 4 exits

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

• Pitch It, Fab It prototyping competition • Entrepreneur in Residence • Regular workshops on business startup and growth • Networking and ecosystem access support

success stories

Robots for Kids Too, Pinbox 3000*, AirShark*, Mr E. Designs*, River Slate Company, Blacksand Supply Company, Matt and Erik Design, Pitchfork Farms, Alice and the Magician

* Maker in residence alums

GROW WITH US

Generator has a plan to build on our insights from success to strengthen the conditions in which increased creativity, learning and entrepreneurship.

* Maker in residence alums

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

•Organization growth ($300,000) New facility, business infrastructure, operations

•Community ($25,000)Scholarships, maker in residence, BIG Maker, partnerships

•Education ($80,000)Residency, professional development, makers in the classroom

•Entrepreneurship ($50,000) Residency program, market development

Annual budget$330,000

INVESTMENT VEHICLES

•Named company sponsorship Underwrite costs of a specific workshop, residency, or program

•Co-sponsorshipJoin forces in the community to advance activities, programs

•General support Make a tax-deductible gift toward Generator’s operating costs

•Company membershipJoin the Generator community as employee benefit, reward

John Cohn is a fellow at IBM, Essex Junction, a founding member of the Vermont Makers, on the Board of Directors at the Echo Center, and all-around mad scientist, self-described but only because he beat us to it.

Steve Conant is serial maker who’s built a fun business to support his habit. Since establishing Conant Metal & Light, a job shop, manufacturer and retailer of custom metalwork in 1980, Steve has helped Burlington’s “South End” grow and flourish.

Dan Harvey is the Assistant Dean at the University of Vermont’s Graduate College as well as Business Operations Manager for the Office of the Vice President for Research.

Ken Howell is an Assistant Professor in Champlain College’s Division of Communication & Creative Media, where he teaches primarily in the MFA in Emergent Media Program.

Doreen Kraft is the long-time Executive Director of Burlington City Arts and has overseen its impressive growth over the last 20 years.

LEADERSHIP

Michael Metz is a materials scientist, a business consultant in precious metals technology, a photographer, and an active board member of BCA, The BCA Foundation, Champlain College, and the Vermont Community Foundation.

Owen Milne is the Manager of Corporate Accounts for Red Thread’s operations in Vermont. In this role, he works with a variety of organizations to develop high-performing workplaces that help them to drive innovation.

Denise Shekerjian is an attorney and writer. She is the author of Uncommon Genius, a look at creativity based on a group of MacArthur Prize winners. She is also the author of literary essays, a blog and short stories. A new work on the creative process is underway.

Chris Thompson is an artist and maker focused on art and technology with 20 years experience in corporate technology management, and four years as the curator at the BCA center where he organized over 30 exhibitions.

Doug Webster is an engineer, innovative thinker, and artist who supports a renewed culture of innovation and enterprise development. He founded the Champlain Maker Faire and host corporation, CMF Inc. dedicated to innovation education and scientific research.

LEADERSHIP

Thank you!

Steve Conant, Chair, Futures Committee steve@conantmetalandlight.com

Lars Hasselblad Torres, Director lhtorres@gmail.com