E-54: The Importance of Prototyping Spaces for Manufacturing

Located in Durham, NC, First Flight Venture Center Hangar 6 is an NCMEP partner that focuses on the entrepreneurial and startup space.

Prototyping spaces, also known as maker spaces or innovation labs, are crucial for the advancement and success of the manufacturing industry. These specialized environments provide essential tools, resources, and collaborative opportunities that enable manufacturers to develop, test, and refine their products.

First Flight Venture’s Hangar 6 is an innovative coworking and prototyping space located in the heart of the Research Triangle Park in North Carolina. This state-of-the-art facility is designed to support startups and early-stage companies by providing the tools, resources, and collaborative environment necessary to accelerate product development and bring innovative ideas to market.

On this Episode of Clocking In, NCMEP director Phil Mintz talks with First Flight’s director of programs, Emil Runge and the director of Hangar6 Ben Provan. And we are going to learn more about them and this special program.

Runge joined First Flight Venture Center in 2018 to lead its Health Security Accelerator, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services initiative to drive innovation in medical technologies. This effort aims to address health security threats and enhance daily medical care. As part of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority within the HHS, Emil’s role involves connecting the Health Security Ecosystem locally and identifying innovative solutions for BARDA’s funding. With a background in public policy and strategic initiatives, Emil has been instrumental in improving Innovation & Entrepreneurial Ecosystems for nearly two decades.

Provan has a decade-long background as co-founder and CEO of OpenDoor, a pioneering US-based co-living company that addresses urban housing challenges and the loneliness epidemic. Under his leadership, OpenDoor grew to 19 co-living properties across three markets (Bay Area, Portland, Seattle), totaling 406 units and 150,000 sqft, including the first net-zero-energy co-living development. Ben’s previous roles include leading commercialization at waste-to-biofuels startup Achor Innovations, managing business operations at Magruder Ranch, and working as a mechanical design engineer at Bose Corporation. He holds degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University and an MBA from Presidio Graduate School. Passionate about leveraging business and technology for positive impact, Ben is also an experienced maker with 3D printing, CNC machining, and laser cutting skills.

Mintz, Runge and Provan discuss the importance of prototyping labs, the state-of-the-art services and tools Hangar 6 provides and more. 

LINKS

NCMEP

First Flight Venture Center’s Hangar 6

ABOUT Phil Mintz

Phil Mintz is the executive director of NC State Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) and director of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP). At NCMEP, Phil drives outreach to NC manufacturers, builds relationships with federal and state leaders and coordinates efforts to drive profitable manufacturing growth in the state. He also leads the broader IES Extension Operations outreach unit of regional managers, technical specialists and business development leaders providing business engagement, assessment and improvement tools. This includes statewide peer networks, ISO 9000 quality management systems, Six Sigma, Lean manufacturing, environmental services, and health and safety solutions.

Emil Runge

Emil Runge joined First Flight Venture Center in 2018 to lead its Health Security Accelerator, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services initiative to drive innovation in medical technologies. This effort aims to address health security threats and enhance daily medical care. As part of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority within the HHS, Emil’s role involves connecting the Health Security Ecosystem locally and identifying innovative solutions for BARDA’s funding. With a background in public policy and strategic initiatives, Emil has been instrumental in improving Innovation & Entrepreneurial Ecosystems for nearly two decades.

Ben Provan

Ben Provan has a decade-long background as co-founder and CEO of OpenDoor, a pioneering US-based co-living company that addresses urban housing challenges and the loneliness epidemic. Under his leadership, OpenDoor grew to 19 co-living properties across three markets (Bay Area, Portland, Seattle), totaling 406 units and 150,000 sqft, including the first net-zero-energy co-living development. Ben’s previous roles include leading commercialization at waste-to-biofuels startup Achor Innovations, managing business operations at Magruder Ranch, and working as a mechanical design engineer at Bose Corporation. He holds degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University and an MBA from Presidio Graduate School. Passionate about leveraging business and technology for positive impact, Ben is also an experienced maker with 3D printing, CNC machining, and laser cutting skills.