Developing Makerspaces as Sites of Entrepreneurship

Abstract

Makerspaces are providing new opportunities for entrepre-neurial development. Based on participant observation and a series of in-depth interviews in an entrepreneurial mak-erspace, we found that the socio-technical environment of a makerspace promotes entrepreneurship by leveraging community-based values of social support, transparency, exploration, and empowerment. The openness of a shared space, access to social technologies, and community of social support helped members develop entrepreneurial skills and self-efficacy. We add to CSCW literature on expanding the role of makerspaces as places of career development through entrepreneurship