Fort Mason Hardware Lab

Furqan is building a hardware and robotics lab in San Francisco that provides workspace, equipment, and community for founders building physical products. The lab aims to recreate the innovative environment typically found in universities but for the broader startup community.

Key Points:

• Core Concept:

  • Hardware/robotics lab as part of F.inc
  • Located at Fort Mason, San Francisco (iconic waterfront location)
  • Focused on hardware products that can't be built in typical office spaces

• Facility Components:

  • Machine shop
  • Electronics shop
  • Robotics shop
  • CNC machines
  • Various fabrication equipment

• Community Focus:

  • Open to founders and future founders
  • Creates environment for knowledge sharing
  • Encourages spontaneous mentorship and learning
  • Aims to build community around hardware innovation

• Investment & Scale:

  • Base building costs: ~$500,000/year
  • Total expected investment: ~$1,000,000/year including:
    • Building costs
    • Equipment
    • People/investments
    • Support services

• Vision:

  • Recreate university-style innovation environment
  • Provide access to expensive equipment
  • Foster collaborative building environment
  • Create exciting space that inspires creativity (waterfront location, views of Golden Gate Bridge)