MakeHaven
MakeHaven’s goal is to grow a sustainable world class community makerspace that equips people of all backgrounds with tools to design, invent, and create, so that New Haven is enriched by innovation and entrepreneurship.
400+
members
38
supported businesses
7
patents
growing membership
Starting with 160 members three years ago, CTNext support helped MakeHaven grow to a record 410 members before the pandemic.
expanded facilities
New equipment, fabrication shops, studios, and 3x the space support 38 businesses who use MakeHaven for part of their operation.
community of support
Events, design challenges, workshop series, and drop-in facilitator hours of aspiring makers a ladder of encouragement and education.
Discover the Space
see a prototype
Carpentry Shop
A full carpentry studio was added in our second year of grant support, with equipment ranging from hand woodworking tools to table saws, planers, and advanced computer-controlled routers.
Metal Shop
A metal and machining studio was added in our third year of grant support, with metal saws, benders, Bridgeport mills, a welding station - and a 5’ water jet cutter for precision parts in any material.
Opening in 2020, a 250 square foot Biosafety Level 1 laboratory offers members an introduction to the world of biology and biotechnology in a safe, collaborative space.
Studio Space
Starting in 2018, MakeHaven added rentable private studios and dedicated office workspace for members running companies that use MakeHaven’s equipment or work with fabrication. All 11 desks were rented before the pandemic closure, with a limited reopening for people using the facilities as part of their business.
Event Series
Foundations of fabrication
A master course in making almost anything, Foundations of Fabrication is a 40-week class and workshop series in using all of MakeHaven’s equipment, taught by expert instructors. Launched in 2020, the course was over-subscribed and already has a waitlist for the session beginning in the summer 2021.
Prototype to Product Pipeline
Through events and coaching sessions, MakeHaven supports members working on products from firefighting safety equipment to encrypted hard drives for personal storage. Events held for federal design challenges led to MakeHaven members winning cash prizes from both the Coast Guard’s Ready for Rescue Challenge and NASA’s 3D Printed Mars Habitat Challenge.