Entrenepeurship
Many entrepreneurs gravitate to makerspaces when they need to create a prototype of their product idea.
Sandbox, the Jagdeep Singh Family Makerspace in the Iribe Center, can provide many resources to assist you with prototyping but it's important to understand what we don't do. Sandbox isn't an entrepreneur incubator space so you're not going to find a structured program to help bring your ideas to market. We're also not a contract machine shop so you'll have to learn the to use the equipment needed to create your prototype.
UMD Resources for Entrepreneurs and Start Ups
If you're part of the UMD community there are many other resources available to fill in the areas we don't cover. Your first stop should be the Innovation Gateway at innovate.umd.edu. There you'll find information about an amazing array of programs and resources available to innovators and entrepreneurs. We suggest you start by:
- Viewing the Start & Grow a Venture Page.
- Reading the Faculty & Graduate Student Startup Guide
- And be sure to sign up for their periodic information sessions on programs such as I-Corps so you can ask questions to better understand each opportunity.
Contract Manufacturing at Terrapin Works
If you'd like to find a machinist or maker who can prototype your idea for you, one great place to look is Terrapin Works in the Clark School of Engineering. Terrapin Works provides a broad range of services but a good place to start is their getting started for advanced users page