Rochester Makerspace Competitors

Adafruit was founded in 2005 by MIT engineer, Limor "Ladyada" Fried. Her goal was to create the best place online for learning electronics and making the best designed products for makers of all ages and skill levels. In the last 15 years, Adafruit has grown to over 100+ employees. Adafruit has expanded offerings to include tools, equipment, and electronics that Limor personally selects, tests, and approves before going in to the Adafruit store. Adafruit is a 100% woman owned manufacturing company, a certified Minority and Woman-owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE), a certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE), and WOSB. During the COVID-19 outbreak Adafruit Industries is operating as an essential service and manufacturing business: NYC – Executive Order 202.6 making PPE and medical device components. Adafruit was appointed to the Small Business Sector Advisory Council by the City of New York to help restart the NYC economy. Post pandemic New York City launched a new Industrial Working Group which Adafruit is Co-Chairing, bringing together leaders from across the city’s industrial and manufacturing sectors with academics and policy experts to redefine the sectors’ needs and opportunities. In 2024 Adafruit moved to Industry City! Brooklyn, New York! Industry City is a six-million-square-foot ecosystem in Brooklyn, NY - a bustling workplace for professionals across multiple disciplines including USA advanced electronics manufacturer Adafruit Industries! After hours and on weekends, Industry City becomes Brooklyn’s unofficial backyard, offering live music, festivals, dining, and tons of retail.

Pioneer Works is a cultural center dedicated to experimentation, education and production across disciplines. Through a broad range of educational programs, performances, residencies and exhibitions, Pioneer Works transcends disciplinary boundaries to foster a community where alternative modes of thought are activated and supported. We strive to make culture accessible to all.

The Foundry is a team of entrepreneurs committed to inventing technologies and building companies that redefine the standard of care and transform patients’ lives. We work closely with physician advisors, corporate and venture capital investors and an elite network of talent to develop provocative concepts into pioneering therapies and world-class companies.