CAPITAL REGION, NY— Albany Barn, Inc.’s Electric City Barn, Tech Valley Center of Gravity, Saratoga Joinery, The Innovation Center at Saratoga, Inc., and Launchbox Flexible Warehouses are coming together to announce a Reciprocal Makerspace Membership Discount beginning April 1, 2026.
This new reciprocal discount on membership dues provides additional benefits and support for members across all participating organizations. It also encourages individuals to participate in multiple creative and entrepreneurial communities, extending and strengthening the Capital Region’s vibrant maker ecosystem.
Dan Falkenstrom, Operations Director at Tech Valley Center of Gravity started the conversation between the organizations, saying “The Capital Region has a fantastic network of resources for creatives and entrepreneurs. We’re all makerspaces that focus on specific needs, but none of us are a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead of wasting time and money creating redundant
facilities, we saw this as a cost-effective way to expand that support network, and enhance organizational collaboration.”
The impact of makerspaces within communities across the Capital Region is significant. Albany Barn, Inc. Executive Director McCauley Cannizzo notes the natural overlap among artists throughout the region: “Albany Barn, Inc. serves over 200 artists and they are not secluded to one city or another. We operate three facilities—one in Albany and two in Schenectady—and we
regularly see artists, makers, and creatives traveling between the spaces. Our co-working makerspace Electric City Barn in Schenectady brings in makers from all over the Capital Region and we’re excited to share this opportunity with them. We’re thrilled to be a part of these organizations working together to support the greater Capital Region of makers!”
Saratoga Joinery, a community woodworking shop, is also part of the initiative. “Every makerspace, whether you’re working with wood, fiber, metal, or electronics, is solving the same problem: making sure access to tools and skills isn’t gatekept by cost or circumstance. Saratoga Joinery exists to do that for woodworking specifically, and this partnership means we can do it
together, across disciplines. Our members gain a broader making ecosystem and makers across the region gain a front door into woodworking. That’s exactly the type of win this work is supposed to create,” said Tori Colarusso, Executive Director.
The collaboration also includes the newly opened Innovation Center at Saratoga, Inc. Founder Beth Moeller shared, “As the new kid on the makerspace block, we are thrilled to be open, growing, and able to bring this opportunity to our members. Each organization offers enough variety that by coming together we can all strengthen our offerings to our members and the
community at large. Everyone wins.”
Launchbox is the first “co-warehousing” facility in Upstate NY. While it may not be a traditional makerspace, Launchbox supports the growth of startups from the region’s maker ecosystem by providing scalable, ready-to-work private warehouse suites as small as 150 square feet along with support spaces and amenities including loading docks, material handling equipment, photo studio, coworking cafe, meeting rooms, high-speed Internet and more. Pricing is all-inclusive and suites are available for terms as short as six months so businesses can adjust their space to their needs. Fully furnished private offices are also available in the building. Launchbox is accessible 24/7 and fully climate controlled for year-round comfort.
“Conventional warehouse leases generally require a multi-year commitment to larger blocks of space than needed, and the tenant is on the hook for all operating costs like utilities and maintenance,” said Matt Michelsen, Director of Operations at Launchbox. “Co-warehousing is a gamechanger for startups and small businesses because it combines the full functionality of warehousing with the flexibility, convenience and predictable overhead of coworking.”
The Reciprocal Makerspace Membership Discount includes 20% off at participating organizations, with Launchbox offering the special first-month-free promotion for Warehouse Suite and Private Office memberships. Specific membership types vary by organization. Interested individuals should contact participating organizations directly to learn more about eligibility and how to take advantage of the program.
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ABOUT THE PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS
Albany Barn, Inc. is dedicated to developing the infrastructure and culture necessary to sustain a vibrant and equitable creative economy in the communities we serve. Albany Barn, Inc. consists of 3 facilities: Albany Barn which includes individual artist studios, performance space, and is connected to Academy Lofts (artist housing partnered with Albany Housing Authority), Electric City Barn which is a co-working makerspace in Schenectady, and Artistry Studios which
holds individual artist studios in Schenectady. The name Albany Barn, Inc. “The Barn” comes from the tradition of barn raising—a community coming together, each person contributing their skills and knowledge to build something that supports everyone. Between the 3 facilities and professional development resources, The Barn supports artists, makers, and creatives
throughout the Capital Region. Website: albanybarn.org Instagram: @AlbanyBarn
Tech Valley Center of Gravity’s mission is to empower makers to connect, collaborate, and create. Their vision includes: the COG will be a preeminent makerspace community that seamlessly blends hobbyist, educational, and entrepreneurial ambitions by providing a place for all makers to practice and develop hands-on skills. It will be a fun, exciting, and creatively
stimulating environment that encourages connection and collaboration as cornerstones to self-empowerment. Every person, regardless of background, will be able to see themselves here because they’ll see active members just like them doing great work. Dozens of successful, world-enhancing businesses will be able to say “We started at the COG.” The COG will be a
factor in why makers choose to live, work, and play in the Capital Region Website: www.tvcog.net Instagram: @techvalleycog
Saratoga Joinery is a community woodworking shop with a mission to make woodworking accessible to all. Through classes and membership, Saratoga Joinery provides a safe, inclusive and collaborative space for makers with varied experience levels to create, connect, become inspired and expand their woodworking skills. Saratoga Joinery is a hub for education that
empowers the community to fix and create instead of throwing out or buying new. Website:saratogajoinery.org Instagram: @saratogajoinery
The Innovation Center at Saratoga, Inc. is a makerspace and community collaboration space supporting inventors, creators, and the innovators of the future. The Innovation Center at Saratoga: Provides the equipment inventors and creators need to prototype their projects, Provides business skills and education for everyone from the napkin stage to looking for investor funding, Supports independent work and self-employment, and Provides STEAM educational opportunities to schools, community groups, and individuals. Website: innovationcentersaratoga.org Instagram: @innovationcentersaratoga
Launchbox Flexible Warehouse Suites provides private warehouse suites from 150 square feet to over 1,000 square feet for growing e-commerce businesses, distributors, manufacturers, contractors, and service providers. Businesses at Launchbox also have access to support spaces and amenities including a three-bay loading dock, material handling equipment, photo studio, coworking cafe, meeting rooms, redundant high-speed Internet and more. Pricing is all-inclusive and suites are available for terms as short as six months. Launchbox is fully climate controlled and accessible 24/7. Website: launchbox.co Instagram: @launchboxwarehouse