Funhouse Commons to launch ‘Island Enterprise Lab’

“Our first goal is to find ways to expand the usefulness of our facilities,” said Funhouse Commons director Pete Moe. “One way we can do this is by becoming a hub for shared resources, technology, and knowledge. The Island Enterprise Lab’s first session will be a structured brainstorming forum, which will attempt to identify shared goals, needs, and resources for Orcas Island.”

January 6, 2012 5:02 pm
The Funhouse has a new name
The Funhouse has a new name

The first big programming effort of the new Funhouse Commons will begin Jan. 17 as the venerable island institution rolls out the Island Enterprise Lab.

The focus of this adult program will be community and economic development.

“Our first goal is to find ways to expand the usefulness of our facilities,” said Funhouse Commons director Pete Moe. “One way we can do this is by becoming a hub for shared resources, technology, and knowledge.  The Island Enterprise Lab’s first session will be a structured brainstorming forum, which will attempt to identify shared goals, needs, and resources for Orcas Island.”

Moe says they have “tossed around a lot of ideas” about how to support an upstart entrepreneurial community on the island.

“From organizing small business development classes, to creating a business mentoring project, to bringing in cutting-edge technology like super-fast Internet and 3-D printers.  Everything is on the table,” he said.

The Funhouse Commons leadership loves the idea of becoming a small business incubator, supporting local industries of all types, from software to farming.

“The Funhouse Commons is unique on Orcas, and it has some valuable resources that we want to leverage,” said Commons board president Eric Youngren. “We have an incredible and versatile space, technology of all kinds, and a great staff to make ideas into things that actually happen. I am really interested in focusing just on Orcas. I believe that island-centric, sustainable thinking is the way we need to go from here. Not just in business, but everything – public services, too. From education to energy, utilities to garbage collection. Hopefully the Island Enterprise Lab can be a forum for these ideas.”

In order to gauge public interest in the Enterprise Lab idea, The Commons has set up an online survey at www.thefunhouse.org.

The Island Enterprise Lab will meet Tuesday, Jan. 17 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The meeting is free to attend. Dinner, provided by The Kitchen, will be available; $10 adults, $5 for kids.

RSVP for dinner through the online survey or by calling 376-7177 by Monday, Jan. 16.

Childcare will also be provided, with  donation to The Funhouse Commons suggested.