CREATEMake it in LA – help connect and celebrate LA’s entrepreneurial ecosystem for making things
Everyone knows LA is a center for design, culture, and tech -- but did you know it’s also the largest manufacturing hub in the country? Preliminary results of a forthcoming study have found that LA manufacturing opportunities are growing, but companies need help connecting to LA’s complex supplier network, accessing capital, and navigating government. Make it in LA is piloting an effort to help startups and growing companies connect and succeed in the design and manufacturing ecosystem of LA.
In what areas of Los Angeles will you be directly working?
Central LA
East LA
San Gabriel Valley
San Fernando Valley
South LA
Westside
South Bay
Antelope Valley
How do you plan to use these resources to make change?
Engage residents and stakeholders
Implement a pilot or new project
Advocate with policymakers and leaders
How will your proposal improve the following CREATE metrics?
Employment in the creative industries
Concentration of manufacturing activity in LA
Jobs per capita
Minority- and women-owned firms
Gini coefficient
Number of high growth startups
Describe in greater detail how you will make LA the best place to CREATE.
Los Angeles is the largest manufacturing center in the country, in diverse industries ranging from food and fashion to aerospace and electronics. Preliminary results of a forthcoming study of 1,600 LA County companies have found that LA manufacturing is growing, and there is interest in growing local sourcing and engaging with startups. But companies face significant challenges, including accessing capital, connecting to LA’s complex supplier network, and navigating government.
Make it in LA is a new public-private partnership that will pilot efforts to grow the ecosystem of making things. The first initiative will strengthen the networks between manufacturers in the LA area and potential customers, with a special focus on startups. We will put companies on a technology platform to connect contract manufacturers and customers and enable them to better develop and respond to RFPs, and help promote LA companies with national directories. Events will engage the community, connect companies to potential sources of capital, and raise awareness of the LA manufacturing ecosystem. Make it in LA will help startups and established firms succeed in the design and manufacturing ecosystem of LA.
Please explain how you will evaluate your work.
Our ultimate goal is to grow high quality creative and manufacturing jobs across the whole LA region. We will measure intermediate metrics such as growth in contracts, engagement of companies (startups, designers, manufacturers, and suppliers), and qualitative feedback from participating companies.
How can the LA2050 community and other stakeholders help your proposal succeed
Money (financial capital)
Publicity/awareness (social capital)
Infrastructure (building/space/vehicles, etc.)
Network/relationship support