Sign up HERE.

Join us in expanding the benefits of being a Maker in the Southeast. If you help manage a Maker Space, or teach in some capacity within the field of Making, or perhaps have an entrepreneurial endeavor that supports the business of making, WE WANT YOU! We are looking for 3 – 5 people per state to serve as “ambassadors” for a few hours a month. Responsibilities include one (1) monthly conference call, correspond with “makers” around your state on behalf of SMA, attendance at SMA Summit and/or Maker Faire Atlanta (October 2017)

Collectively, more state representatives will get access to funding from sponsors, possible travel stipend for attending SMA activities, educational opportunities, bigger regional marketing efforts for all Maker Faire and Mini-Maker Fairies, and a cool sticker!

SMA Ambassador Application Form

Makers are transforming our communities through community engagement, education initiatives, and a profound spirit of entrepreneurship. The Southeast Maker Alliance is organizing a Southeast Maker Innovation Showcase to focus on and celebrate maker entrepreneurs and the makerspaces that support them. This is an open call for Maker Startups that identify as being part of the Southeast.

We will accept 10 finalists who will present at the Southeast Maker Summit on Sunday October 22 in front of a distinguished panel of makers, investors, and economic developers to vie for cash and prizes. Finalists will also exhibit at Maker Faire Atlanta, one of the largest Maker Faires in the country, as part of the Southeast Maker Innovation Showcase area at no charge, where they can share what they make with over 10,000 visitors.

Eligibility Requirements:

Entrants must be a member of a makerspace. If no makerspace is present within 30 miles of place of residence entrants may join Southeast Maker Alliance in lieu of a local makerspace to meet eligibility requirement.

Innovations submitted must involve the manufacture of a physical product. Service and software related innovations are not eligible unless they include a physical product.

Innovations submitted must present a novel or unique solution to a demonstrable market problem.
Products may be in development or commercial available, however products made commercially available prior to October 22, 2014 are not eligible.

Submission can be made as individuals or as a company. If your innovation is developed by a team of people that is not incorporated, one person should represent the team when completing the submission questionnaire.

Certain prizes may have specific geographic residence or headquarters requirements

For the purposes of eligibility, “southeast” is defined as the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia

All submissions due no later than midnight ET on October 7, 2017.

APPLY HERE

The Southeast Maker Innovation Showcase is Sponsored by the Georgia Department of Economic Development – Innovation and Manufacturing

Decatur Makers had their GRAND OPENING party on May 6.  Lots of folks came to celebrate the work they’ve already been doing in and around Decatur.  As befits a group of creative, geeky makers, their ribbon cutting was accomplished via a Rube Goldberg-style contraption.  It took a few tries but makers can identify with the persistence required to make cool things!  Congratulations to our friends at Decatur Makers for creating a wonderful environment for their community.

Lots of great things are happening in our maker community. 
Maven Makers in Savannah won a local film competition called Soul Proprietors (http://soulprops.com/). It matches up local small businesses that have a community oriented focus with film crews and then gives them 5 days to make a 7 minute long documentary. The film crews are competing for a $5000 prize and the small businesses are competing for the non-profit they support. Here’s their winning entry:

Congratulations for making an excellent film about making!