[hackerspaces] Start a Kickstarter for Your Laser Cutter Today

Tue Feb 8 15:13:24 CET 2011

Nick pretty much covered it.  We don't think we could pay back an investment
as a non profit, even more unlikely with a return.

On Mon, Feb 7, 2011 at 11:37 PM, Nick Farr <nick at hackerspaces.org> wrote:

> It actually gets tricky.  I'd advise getting a lawyer to guide you through
> the process, but it is very possible for Non-Profits to handle a transaction
> like this.
>
> One possible way of doing the NYCR plan within a 501(c)(3) is to have an
> "investor group" purchase the machine as a partnership, then resell the
> machine on an installment basis back to the 501(c)(3).
>
> The major hurdles are insuring that the agreement doesn't create an "excess
> benefit transaction" for "disqualified persons".  (Google those terms for
> more info.)
>
> In short, those in the investor group, if they're involved with governance
> of the space, should recuse themselves from any vote or participation in the
> space's decision to proceed.  Those who authorize a loan situation as
> follows should have no tangible interest or risk in the machine itself.
>
> There are lots of ways to make something like this happen, it's just a
> matter of following the proper guidance.
>
> Nick Farr
> http://nickfarr.org
> +1 202 630-3277
> D762E03B
>
>
>
>
> On Mon, Feb 7, 2011 at 6:32 PM, Carlyn Maw <carlynorama at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Hey Tim,
>>
>> How did your not-for-profit status get in the way exactly?
>> Non-profits can lease equipment, have a positive cash flow, etc, I
>> thought. Just curious where y'all ran aground - in case we're about to
>> make the same mistake!
>>
>> Best,
>> --C
>>
>> On Mon, Feb 7, 2011 at 1:30 PM, Tim Saylor <tim.saylor at gmail.com> wrote:
>> > I put together that same exact plan for PSOne but our non-profit status
>> got
>> > in the way.  In order to pay back investors someone would have to assume
>> all
>> > the risk  and take charge of making the laser profitable personally.
>>  That
>> > was a bit too high a hurdle for us.  I'd love to find out that there's a
>> way
>> > to make it work though, if anyone knows more about non-profits than I do
>> > (which shouldn't be hard).
>> > Tim
>> >
>> > On Mon, Feb 7, 2011 at 11:15 AM, bre pettis <brepettis at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>> >>
>> >> I will also donate on kickstarter to any hackerspace wanting to get a
>> >> lasercutter. I recommend getting a non-chinese knockoff brand. Get the
>> >> biggest one you can afford!
>> >>
>> >> It would be a nice sell if your hackerspace could also say something
>> like,
>> >> "we've pulled together 8k and need another 12k."
>> >>
>> >> At NYCR, we had 20 people become LAZZZOR investors and each put in
>> between
>> >> 500 and 5000 dollars to get 20k together and get a nice epilog 35 mini
>> and
>> >> blower system. We charged for use of our laser until the money was paid
>> back
>> >> to the LAZZZOR investors. If I could go back, I wish we had bought the
>> 120
>> >> watt 24x36 machine...
>> >>
>> >> It really is a wonderful tool! (It also is the reason we were able to
>> >> create MakerBot)
>> >>
>> >> Bre
>> >>
>> >> MakerBot Industries
>> >> http://makerbot.com
>> >> Recent Press:
>> >>
>> http://blogs.forbes.com/davidewalt/2011/01/07/the-makerbot-is-best-at-ces/
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> On Mon, Feb 7, 2011 at 2:43 AM, I.T. Daniher <explodingmind at gmail.com>
>> >> wrote:
>> >>>
>> >>> What about "Lasersaur"? "DIY Desktop CNC Machine"? Both are currently
>> >>> funded kickstarter projects involving the creation of an open-source
>> laser
>> >>> cutter.
>> >>> -itdnhr
>> >>> On Mon, Feb 7, 2011 at 02:36, tetsu yatsu <tetsuharu at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>> >>>>
>> >>>> Not sure if you're speaking from personal experience or just
>> trollin',
>> >>>> but the only loss is a loss in confidence.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> Sounds like you already know about the whole kickstarter
>> >>>> 'all-or-nothing' deal, so I won't proselytize about that.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> If you're willing to try again, might maybe you could phrase it a
>> little
>> >>>> differently :). We made some stupid flyers that we distributed to all
>> the
>> >>>> local college campuses, and had a silly story about how we were going
>> to
>> >>>> decrease the out-of-control secret agent population.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> We could help you make flyers if it's holding you up?
>> >>>>
>> >>>> On Mon, Feb 7, 2011 at 2:25 AM, Tim Saylor <tim.saylor at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> Well, the worst that will happen is you won't have a laser cutter
>> but
>> >>>>> you've already cashed in your chips with whoever you convinced to go
>> >>>>> "donate" once and now they'll be less inclined to "donate" for your
>> second
>> >>>>> try even though they haven't really donated yet.  Kickstarter is a
>> great
>> >>>>> tool but you should put some thought into your proposal before
>> kicking it
>> >>>>> off.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> On Mon, Feb 7, 2011 at 1:17 AM, tetsu yatsu <tetsuharu at gmail.com>
>> >>>>> wrote:
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>> https://www.kickstarter.com/start
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>> Now I may just be high off sublimated acrylic fumes, but I love our
>> >>>>>> lab's laser cutter and I want everyone to have this chance. I cut
>> out 15
>> >>>>>> Hudson-CI logos to entice people at my work to buy into continuous
>> >>>>>> integration, 8 stupid keychain things, and I couldn't help but fill
>> the
>> >>>>>> sheet with little rockets that say 'derp' on them. Now I have 2
>> dozen 'derp'
>> >>>>>> rockets. And I'm cutting out a big wooden Github Octocat made by
>> our member
>> >>>>>> JohnBentCope, which my girlfriend thinks is adorable, and was a big
>> hit at
>> >>>>>> the MagicRuby conference.
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>> I want everyone to have a laser cutter.
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>> If you start a kickstarter for getting a laser cutter, I will
>> donate.
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>> There's the link. Doesn't cost anything. Just do it.
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>> Worst that'll happen is you'll not get a laser cutter, which is
>> where
>> >>>>>> you are now.
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>> Come on.
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>> I got my pocket book out. Let's get you a laser cutter.
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>> _______________________________________________
>> >>>>>> Discuss mailing list
>> >>>>>> Discuss at lists.hackerspaces.org
>> >>>>>> http://lists.hackerspaces.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>
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>> >>>>
>> >>>>
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