MakerSpace commemorates its decade-long milestone
In the heart of Munich, the MakerSpace, a prototyping workshop founded by UnternehmerTUM in 2015, has become a central element in the city's thriving innovation ecosystem [1][2]. This collaborative space, located in the Entrepreneurship Center on the research campus of the Technical University of Munich (TUM), has been instrumental in the development of various successful startups, such as Isar Aerospace, Allunderground, and Hyperloop [1].
Notable among these successes is Isar Aerospace, a unicorn (a startup valued at over $1 billion) that stands as a testament to the deep tech innovation supported by UnternehmerTUM and TUM [3]. The MakerSpace, with its extensive resources including 3D printers, laser cutters, and workshops for electronics, textile, wood, and metal, has played a crucial role in enabling rapid and cost-effective prototype realization [1][2].
Over the years, the MakerSpace has fostered a lively, interdisciplinary community, nurturing the transformation of ideas into tangible products for over 33,500 users [1][2]. Established companies and industry partners, like BMW, have also utilised the MakerSpace for prototyping, as exemplified by BMW's conversion of 20 BMW i3 Urban Suite Concept Cars for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2020 in Las Vegas [1].
The MakerSpace has been a catalyst for numerous startup successes, with well-known startups like Angsa Robotics, Kewazo, Olive Robotics, and AirUp beginning their development within its walls [1]. The projects of these startups have ranged from robotics solutions for urban cleaning to innovative construction assistants, novel sensors, and beverage bottles with scent technology [1].
In 2021, a second location of the MakerSpace was added at the Munich Urban Colab, focusing on sensor technology and urban technologies for the city of the future [1]. The support of an experienced team ensures that complex projects can be implemented professionally in the MakerSpace, making it an invaluable resource for both beginners and seasoned inventors [1].
Prof. Dr. Helmut Schoenenberger, founder and CEO of UnternehmerTUM, explains that the MakerSpace offers a unique opportunity for prototypes to be realised quickly and cost-effectively [1]. This model has proven fruitful for innovation in the past ten years, as demonstrated by the success stories of Isar Aerospace, Allunderground, and Hyperloop, which began as student teams creating their first innovations at the MakerSpace [1].
In conclusion, the MakerSpace embodies the connection between technological infrastructure, entrepreneurial support, and creative energy, making it a vital component of Munich's vibrant startup scene. Whether you're a master craftsman, a DIY enthusiast, or a budding entrepreneur, the MakerSpace offers a space to transform your ideas into tangible realities.
References: [1] UnternehmerTUM. (n.d.). MakerSpace. Retrieved from https://www.unternehmertum.de/en/maker-space/ [2] Technical University of Munich. (n.d.). MakerSpace. Retrieved from https://www.tum.de/en/about-tum/departments-and-schools/school-of-management/entrepreneurship-center/maker-space/ [3] Isar Aerospace. (n.d.). About us. Retrieved from https://www.isaraerospace.de/en/about-us/
- The MakerSpace, a crucial element in Munich's innovation ecosystem, has provided extended resources, including technology like 3D printers and laser cutters, enabling startups like Isar Aerospace to realize prototypes quickly and cost-effectively for education-and-self-development and research purposes.
- With the addition of a second location at the Munich Urban Colab, the MakerSpace continues to enhance technology, providing opportunities for both beginners and seasoned inventors to collaborate and develop innovative projects in areas like sensor technology and urban development, contributing to education-and-self-development and research advancements.
