Spaces Where Imagination Becomes a Reality - Makerspaces Selected in 2018 to Operate in Earnest
- Division
- Startup Ecosystem Division
- Date
- 2019.01.04
- Writer
- Deputy Director KyungJun Ma
- Headline
- A total of 53 (82%) branches of makerspaces (5 professional labs and 60 general labs) designated in 2018 have been established and started their operation. Along with this, an online platform (makeall.com) that contains related information added functions to search and reserve makerspaces, and introduced a user evaluation system. The government plans to expand makerspaces gradually by 2022, starting with the selection of 60 labs in 2019, to build creative zones nationwide.
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) said that it has built and established 65 branches (5 professional labs and 60 general labs) of makerspaces by injecting KRW 23.5 billion in 2018, and they plan to create 60 more labs in 2019. As part of the efforts to expand makerspaces (economic ministerial meeting on November 2, 2017) aimed at the “revitalization of manufacturing” (national agenda), over 350 makerspaces are set to be established by 2022.
After its launch in 2018, makerspaces are divided into general and professional labs according to assistance programs, and it had flexibly operated, with some opening in nighttime and weekends as well. Professional labs (five branches) support makers from prototype manufacturing to mass production to supplement relatively insufficient manufacturing startup infrastructure as well as to assist in commercialization in connection and collaboration with existing startup facilities (Center for Creative Economy and Innovation, startup incubation centers, TP, and others). General labs (60 branches) provide maker introduction training and creation experience programs to the public with an aim to expand the base for making activities.
In 2019, the ministry plans to focus on expanding the maker movement by selecting 60 more makerspaces with a budget of KRW 28.5 billion. The selection will be centered on nonmetropolitan areas to reduce gaps in maker activities between regions and help more citizens realize their creative ideas.
* 30 makerspaces in metropolitan areas in 2018 (3 professional labs and 27 general labs) and 35 makerspaces in nonmetropolitan regions (2 professional labs and 33 general labs)
The MSS will work on specializing the functions of each makerspace based on regional characteristics as well as on strengthening cooperation between different labs by region and speciality.
* In the case of the United States, the maker movement has been established based on regional specifics such as New York (convergence of innovative manufacturing and fashion), San Francisco (prototype production in small batches), and Nevada (building renewal).
In addition, the ministry will expand support for underserved groups and communities, such as the socially disadvantaged and rural areas, to eliminate blind spots of maker activities. Furthermore, an online platform (makeall.com), where anyone can search and compare makerspaces and reserve necessary devices or training programs, will be operated in earnest. In particular, with the introduction of the user evaluation system, makerspaces with high satisfaction levels will be displayed at the top of the list, while users will also be allowed to recommend outstanding makers. Starting with 65 makerspaces supported and established by the MSS, information on spaces supported and operated by other ministries or private organizations, such as ICT Device Lab and Creative Idea Labs, will be added gradually with an aim to develop the website as a comprehensive platform for all ministries.
Byun Tae-seop, the director general for the Startup Promotion Policy at the MSS, expressed, “The ministry will build specialized support processes for manufacturing startups that require relatively higher costs and time. We will expand assistance through makerspaces to produce good manufacturing startups.”
After its launch in 2018, makerspaces are divided into general and professional labs according to assistance programs, and it had flexibly operated, with some opening in nighttime and weekends as well. Professional labs (five branches) support makers from prototype manufacturing to mass production to supplement relatively insufficient manufacturing startup infrastructure as well as to assist in commercialization in connection and collaboration with existing startup facilities (Center for Creative Economy and Innovation, startup incubation centers, TP, and others). General labs (60 branches) provide maker introduction training and creation experience programs to the public with an aim to expand the base for making activities.
In 2019, the ministry plans to focus on expanding the maker movement by selecting 60 more makerspaces with a budget of KRW 28.5 billion. The selection will be centered on nonmetropolitan areas to reduce gaps in maker activities between regions and help more citizens realize their creative ideas.
* 30 makerspaces in metropolitan areas in 2018 (3 professional labs and 27 general labs) and 35 makerspaces in nonmetropolitan regions (2 professional labs and 33 general labs)
The MSS will work on specializing the functions of each makerspace based on regional characteristics as well as on strengthening cooperation between different labs by region and speciality.
* In the case of the United States, the maker movement has been established based on regional specifics such as New York (convergence of innovative manufacturing and fashion), San Francisco (prototype production in small batches), and Nevada (building renewal).
In addition, the ministry will expand support for underserved groups and communities, such as the socially disadvantaged and rural areas, to eliminate blind spots of maker activities. Furthermore, an online platform (makeall.com), where anyone can search and compare makerspaces and reserve necessary devices or training programs, will be operated in earnest. In particular, with the introduction of the user evaluation system, makerspaces with high satisfaction levels will be displayed at the top of the list, while users will also be allowed to recommend outstanding makers. Starting with 65 makerspaces supported and established by the MSS, information on spaces supported and operated by other ministries or private organizations, such as ICT Device Lab and Creative Idea Labs, will be added gradually with an aim to develop the website as a comprehensive platform for all ministries.
Byun Tae-seop, the director general for the Startup Promotion Policy at the MSS, expressed, “The ministry will build specialized support processes for manufacturing startups that require relatively higher costs and time. We will expand assistance through makerspaces to produce good manufacturing startups.”