Many New Haven businesses start at MakeHaven, because a founder with an idea can learn the tools, build the first version and test it for the price of a membership. This is not an accelerator with a start date and a demo day. It is always open: tools, workspace, people who have done it before, places to sell, and introductions to the organizations that help founders. Come when you are ready and use what you need.
New to MakeHaven?
Come see the shops and tell us what you are making. We will point you to the tools, training and people that fit, and membership gets you all of it.
Already a member?
Put your business in front of shoppers and the region's business support, rent space to produce, and hear about business seminars.
The Prototype-to-Product Pipeline
Wherever you are with your idea, there is a next step here.
- IdeaLearn the tools in classes and one-on-one sessions with volunteer facilitators.
- PrototypeBuild and test the first version with shop tools most people could never own.
- Small batchBook tool time for production runs, and rent a workspace next to the shops.
- SellingList your products, sell at markets, and get featured in our newsletter.
- GrowingIntroductions to partners for capital, coaching and business planning.
Tools to prototype and produce
24/7 access to a woodshop, metal shop, CNC routers and mills, laser cutters, a waterjet, 3D printers, electronics benches, textiles, ceramics and plastics recycling. Build the first prototype, then book tool time for small-batch runs. Volunteer facilitators train you on each tool.
Affordable workspace
Dedicated benches, studios and private rooms in our Startup Incubator area, month to month, next to the shops, so a small venture can produce without a lease of its own. When we are full, our neighbor ClimateHaven has desks and lab space in the same building.
People who have done it
Staff, facilitators and members who have launched products and businesses will look at your prototype, help you choose a process or material, and tell you what they learned the hard way. Member businesses regularly hire other members as contractors and staff.
Places to sell
Members list their business for free, and listed products appear on Shop Our Makers. Staff feature member products in the MakeHaven newsletter. Members have shared tables at New Haven's Night Market, sold at New Haven Pride, run our own makers markets, and showcased at the Yale Innovation Summit and CTNext.
Seminars and pitch support
We run business sessions from time to time, usually led by members and partners. Recent topics: patents, trademarks and copyright for inventors; navigating physical product development; branding and marketing; pricing; and stories from local makers who sell. Members have placed at the Forge and Hayvn Hatch pitch competitions.
Introductions to the right help
For capital, business planning and advising we connect founders to partners who specialize in it: the Black Business Alliance, the New Haven Equitable Entrepreneurial Ecosystem (NHE3), Forge, ClimateHaven, the Connecticut Small Business Development Center, SCORE and the City of New Haven's Small Business Resource Center. Members can also opt in to the regional Founder Resource Network.
Business support organizations · Founder events around New Haven
Started here
"During my membership at MakeHaven, my annual income went from a net loss to a significant profit, largely because I could access these resources."
Member businesses include Escape New Haven, IRL Innovations, BlueGreen Materials, NanoEngineering Corp., DarkStar Marine Hardware, Black Joy Creations, Artistry in Fused Glass, Watchful Raven Honey, Archon Tool, Twisted Tree Studios, Beacon Craft Studio, DRYYP Sauna and WovenBit. Meet our member businesses
Who it is for
People making physical things: inventors with a prototype, artists and artisans who sell their work, and startups that need a shop. Software-only, consulting and marketing ventures are welcome as members, but our workspace goes first to businesses with a physical product.
Book a free tour Join List your business
Questions about your idea? Email info@makehaven.org.
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