SAN FRANCISCO - As part of Innovation Month in San Francisco, TechShop, a membership-based, do-it-yourself workshop and fabrication studio, is hosting a roundtable with Mayor Ed Lee on Monday, Oct. 7, 2013. The panel discussion is part of the new Mayor's Innovation Roundtable Series that celebrates the local startup community, explores new startup areas and helps the city government keep pace with what’s next.

The birthplace for many startups, TechShop is a facility, resource center and community where ideas grow into successful businesses. An integral part of the maker movement, TechShop is hosting the expert panel that will discuss making and monetizing new ideas and how to spur the local economy through the creation of jobs and businesses. In addition to Mayor Lee, the panel includes:

• Chris Anderson, CEO, 3DRobotics (moderator) • Saul Griffith, principal, OtherLab • Kate Sofis, executive director, SF Made • Andrew Rutter, founder and chief technology officer, Type A Machines • Robbie Schingler, co-founder, Planet Labs • Kate Drane, hardware category lead, Indiegogo

“The maker movement is thriving in San Francisco and TechShop is excited to convene this group to discuss how to drive it, and the economy, forward,” said Mark Hatch, CEO of TechShop. “Hundreds of companies have started here, from Etsy sellers to companies like DODOcase that now manufacture and employ people right here in San Francisco. TechShop and the maker movement are creating a real impact in the economy, largely because of the environment of innovation that exists in San Francisco.”

Leadership from a number of city departments whose work may be relevant to maker businesses will be present to learn from the discussion, including the Planning Department and Office of Economic and Workforce Development.

Last Wednesday, Mayor Lee also became the first US mayor to take a 3D printing class, led by local 3D printing startup Type A Machines, which began and is still based at TechShop San Francisco. The mayor was taught the basics of the process by four middle schoolers from San Francisco Unified School District who had themselves learned it just 30 minutes earlier from a team of instructors.

At each of its six facilities, TechShop brings together and cultivates a highly creative, collaborative group of makers, tinkerers, students, academics and entrepreneurs who share ideas, create new products, businesses and jobs, and learn new skills. Companies such as Square prototyped at TechShop and grew to be a leader in its space. Square now employs more than 200 people.

The event will take place Monday, Oct. 7, 2013 from 5-8 p.m. The roundtable will run from 5-6:30 p.m. and will be followed by light refreshments and open discussion from 6:30-8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required and can be found here: mayorsroundtablelive1.eventbrite.com.

The roundtable is part of Innovation Month, an effort by the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Civic Innovation to celebrate what makes San Francisco the innovation capitol of the world. Innovation Month will feature events across several business and civic sectors, including technology, the environment and the maker movement.

About TechShop, Inc.

Founded in October 2006, TechShop is a membership-based, do-it-yourself (DIY) workshop and fabrication studio providing access to a vibrant community of creative people and more than $1 million worth of high quality machines, tools and software. TechShop offers classes, workshops, instruction and meet-ups for people of all ages and skill levels. TechShop is based in Menlo Park, Calif., with locations nationwide.

For information and course listings, visit http://www.techshop.com, email [email protected] or call 855-TECHSHOP. You can follow TechShop on Twitter at "@TechShop." TechShop is also on Facebook as "TechShop Incorporated."

Source: TechShop