Building on the strengths and insights of our Maker in Residence program, Generator will host an Entrepreneur in Residence with the goal of supporting and accelerating our members’ efforts to build new ventures and bring their products to market.
Generator is a makerspace – a shared design and fabrication environment – dedicated to supporting the creative, educational, and production needs of our members. We offer universal access to studios, shared tool-sets, programming and a vibrant, solutions-oriented community to advance our members’ creative endeavors. Generator’s Entrepreneur in Residence program is conceived to support members with a clear commitment to launching a new venture.
During a residency of three to four months, maker-entrepreneurs are provided material and in-kind support to refine their product prototype, hammer out production processes, develop a business plan, establish basic accounting and financial systems, and create a go-to-market strategy for their product.
Specific support that the Entrepreneur in Residence receives will include (but is not limited to):
- Business plan writing support
- Accounting and financial systems set up and support
- Intellectual property stewardship and roadmapping
- Advice regarding capital raising and finance
- Marketing support services including brand and marketing strategy
HOW TO APPLY
Generator’s Entrepreneur in Residence is open to any member (currently 231) with a business idea. The journey begins with an application submitted online, on a quarterly basis. Applicants are required to submit information on themselves and their entrepreneurial journey, as well as their venture and its potential for impact.
Applications are reviewed and scored by a panel composed of advisors, staff and members. Residencies are determined based on a clear demonstration of product readiness, business feasibility, and entrepreneurial energy.
Residencies will be granted for three- or four-month terms; award notifications are made at least thirty days before commencement and must be accepted within 72 hours of the offer.
The residency experience is shaped up front by an entry interview designed to lay a foundation of expectations and a draft roadmap for learning and outcomes. A timeline for meetings with technical assistance providers will be laid out which is expected to be adhered to. Weekly check-ins with the program coordinator are designed to assess progress, identify needs and resources, and in general serve as an accountability mechanism.
The residency concludes with a socially-oriented gathering at which the outgoing resident will present their business and go-to-market pitch and the incoming entrepreneur will pitch their product and goals for the residency.
