Downtown Co-working Hub Adds 3D Printing Lab for Local Entrepreneurs
The expanded space offers prototyping tools to creators and inventors looking to launch products in the GTA market.
A downtown Toronto co-working hub is making headlines this week with the launch of a fully equipped 3D printing lab aimed at supporting local entrepreneurs and inventors. The lab, housed within the popular MakerHaus coworking space, is designed to serve as a rapid prototyping center for startups, freelancers, and creative professionals working on product development.
The new facility includes multiple types of 3D printers — from entry-level filament-based machines to industrial-grade resin printers — as well as workstations for design, post-processing, and product testing. This addition reflects a growing trend of integrating fabrication tools into shared workspaces to empower small-scale innovators.
MakerHaus founder Rachel Kim said the expansion was a response to community demand. 'We kept hearing from members who needed access to prototyping tools but couldn’t afford to outsource fabrication or invest in expensive equipment. This lab fills that gap and fosters grassroots innovation,' she said.
Local entrepreneurs welcomed the new resource. Arun Desai, a design engineer developing eco-friendly kitchenware, said access to affordable 3D printing has dramatically accelerated his workflow. 'Being able to test, tweak, and reprint a prototype in the same day has saved me weeks of waiting and hundreds of dollars,' he said.
The initiative has also drawn support from city officials, who see it as a way to nurture Toronto’s growing tech and hardware startup scene. The Economic Development & Culture Division awarded MakerHaus a $100,000 grant through its Innovation Incubator Fund to help launch the lab and offer subsidized rates to emerging founders.
In addition to equipment access, the hub will offer workshops, mentorship, and certification programs in additive manufacturing. These are aimed at helping users understand not just how to use the technology, but how to incorporate it strategically into product development and scaling plans.
MakerHaus reports that interest in the new facility has been strong, with over 80 members reserving time in the lab during its first week of operation. The space is open to both full-time tenants and drop-in members, and a monthly pass provides unlimited access to machines during off-peak hours.
As cities like Toronto continue to invest in the knowledge economy, co-working spaces are evolving into full-fledged incubators that combine flexible workspace with high-value tools. The 3D printing lab at MakerHaus is a vivid example of how shared resources can democratize access to innovation and level the playing field for early-stage creators.