Makerspace
Open and collaborative space, usually governed by users.
A type of open space or open innovation space. Geared for innovation and prototyping, including some very small volume production (manufacturing and assembly).
Governance
Governed by members. The legal structure can be a non-profit organization or a coop.
Activities
Educational activities (workshops, hackathons) take place in makerspaces. In the day-by-day activity there is a lot of peer learning.
The Sensorica lab in Montreal is a kind of makerspace.
Production
Currently, there is not a lot of production going on in makerspaces. The Sensorica lab adds more economic capabilities on top of the basic makerspace functionality.
Hybrid models have been proposed by sensoricans in the past, for example with the FabIci project at Robco Inc. in Montreal, Canada, where a local manufacturing plant builds an adjacent makerspace for brewing innovation and for prototyping stuff. When projects mature, production moves into the plant. there is a symbiotic relationship between a traditional firm and the makerspace (a new organizational structure). R&D is expensive and risky for companies, might as well open up a little space and have the local community gather there, brainstorm and prototype for fun. The firm's engineers will only get paid to take a working prototype and turn it into a manufacturable product.