Prototyping (the) Innovation Ecology

How to create a business around offering an infrastructure for others to innovate

Open source radio, shared workspaces, fabrication laboratories ... commons-based peer-production is making its way into all and any areas of society. Many of these initiatives provide shared infrastructures, and as their number grows so does the demand for sustainable business models for maintaining these infrastructures. In software, Open Source has resulted in profitable business, increased innovation, peer-production and more choice for businesses and consumers. While there are tried and tested business models for open source software development it is still a big adventure to transfer these models to the physical realm. This course aims to equip the daring who embark on this adventure with background theory, practical tools and an opportunity for peer-supported prototyping.