The document describes Generator, a makerspace in Burlington, Vermont that provides tools, workspaces, and training to support creativity, learning, and entrepreneurship. Generator has over 5,600 square feet of workshops with high-end tools. It serves over 225 member creatives and has helped launch multiple startup companies. Generator offers certification courses, workshops, and classes to foster skills development. It also partners with local schools and educators. The document requests funding to support Generator's community programs, education initiatives, and efforts to help more startups.

1. burlington generator
The nation’s 100 percent renewables-powered
gigabit makerspace

2. 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.”

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. who we serve

8. HOW WE DO IT
Generator creates value along three key lines of activity:
creative community, education and training, and
entrepreneurship.
Creativity
Learning
Entrepreneurship

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

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

13. 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

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

15. ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Generator works to support the livelihoods of independent
creatives and launch and grow new ventures.
50 percent
startups
13 products
4 exits

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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. INVESTMENT VEHICLES
•Named company sponsorship
Underwrite costs of a specific workshop, residency, or program
•Co-sponsorship
Join forces in the community to advance activities, programs
•General support
Make a tax-deductible gift toward Generator’s operating costs
•Company membership
Join the Generator community as employee benefit, reward

21. 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

22. 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

23. Thank you!
Steve Conant, Chair, Futures Committee
steve@conantmetalandlight.com
Lars Hasselblad Torres, Director
lhtorres@gmail.com