NextFab | Artisan Accelerator for Artisan Handicraft Entrepreneurs

About

NextFab’s Artisan Accelerator is a 12-week program designed to provide current and aspiring creative entrepreneurs who make physical products with business education, access to resources, and community support to build viable businesses. This program will be accepting 15 applicants (priority given to historically disadvantaged communities) for the 2025 cohort. Applicants must qualify as a micro-enterprise (5 or fewer employees) and be classified as a low-to-moderate income household per Department of Commerce guidelines.

Accepted participants will receive:

• 12 weeks of product development and business education covering topics in business models, marketing strategy, and financial management.
• 9 months of access to a shared studio space and storage with a legal business address at NextFab, 1800 North American St, Philadelphia, PA 19122. NextFab specializes in production areas related to woodworking, metalworking, jewelry, textiles, 3D printing, large format 2D printing, laser cutting, and CNC fabrication.
• An annual NextFab membership and $2,400 credits to spend on technical education and machine reservation costs.

This program is ideal for creative entrepreneurs looking to start or grow their business. This program can help if you’re new to running a business, feeling overwhelmed, and/or struggling to balance creativity with day-to-day tasks. Participants who get the most out of this program typically:

• Create physical products or perform contract work.
• Have started an informal (casually selling to friends and family) or formal business (have consistent monthly sales).
• Have a developed product idea or skillset.
• Would like to make this business their full-time work.
• Can benefit from access to education and equipment provided by NextFab’s makerspace. Explore our equipment and classes here.

How to Apply

This program is free to apply to, and if selected, all costs are covered as part of the Department of Commerce BTAP grant. Applications are due by Monday, August 18th, 2025, at 11:59 pm.

The Artisan Accelerator is open to applicants whose business address, either brick-and-mortar or home-based, must be located within Philadelphia city limits, and will be a hybrid of virtual and in-person. Some travel to the NextFab makerspace is required. Applicants must qualify as micro-enterprises (5 or fewer employees) and be classified as low-to-moderate income households per Department of Commerce guidelines (for single households, making less than $25,100 and $83,562). This program includes a Facilitation Fund to aid in program access to services such as childcare, transportation, and access to technology.

Application Timeline:
Applications open: Tuesday, July 29th
Info Session: Tuesday, August 12th from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm at NextFab
Application deadline: Monday, August 18th at 11:59 pm
Participant Selection Notifications: Friday, August 29th
Program Begins: Tuesday, September 9th

Apply Here

For additional questions, please reach out to us at artisan@nextfab.com.

Program Schedule:

September 9th – November 6th, 2025 & January 13th – February 5th, 2026
Tuesdays & Thursdays 10 am – 12 pm
During the 12 weeks, this program will meet twice a week for 2 hours, with one virtual session and one in-person session. Weeks 1-2 will include an additional day for the NextFab Gift Guide photoshoot. All in-person sessions will take place at 1800 North American St, Philadelphia, PA 19122. This program pauses from November 6th, 2025, to January 13th, 2026, to allow for a holiday season break. The final section of the program runs until February 5th, 2026, and is designed with time to apply what you have learned.

In this section of the program, we will cover:

Product Development: September 9th – October 9th, 2025
Learn the process to develop excellent products and define your design style, process, and brand. This portion of the program will teach you to think critically about current and new products, who your audience is, and provide structured time to improve your production with the guidance of our technical staff.

Business Foundations: October 14th – November 6th, 2025
Meet with business educators in group sessions to define your business goals and create a business model. You will learn to analyze your cost structure and build out a financial dashboard to help you make informed strategic decisions. Attend sessions held by professionals in bookkeeping and accounting, legal, and insurance to learn how to set up your business for success while balancing creative work.

Please note that our program will observe a Winter Break from November 7, 2025, to January 12, 2026. This break is designed to provide participants with ample time to engage in winter markets, capitalize on holiday selling opportunities, and enjoy their holidays.

Sales & Marketing: January 13th – February 5th, 2026
Build on your business foundations to expand sales and take advantage of opportunities. You will develop a sales and marketing strategy alongside a marketing expert, crafting your brand identity, digital funnels, and finding your ideal customers. Participants will have a final product photoshoot to document their progress and tell their story.

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