Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
Nonprofit botanical garden that operates a NASA-supported 3D printing makerspace (Innovation Studio) for STEM education, focused on space agriculture and plant growth research.
- CEO / Founder
- Carl E. Lewis
- Team Size
- 51-200
- Stage
- Established
- Total Funding
- Government grant funding from NASA and Miami-Dade County; documented amounts include $376,000 (county support, non-competing) and $66,000 (county allocation). Exact total not disclosed.
- Latest Round
- No equity funding rounds. Latest documented support: NASA Growing Beyond Earth cooperative agreement and Miami-Dade County FY 2024-25 appropriations (referenced in September 2024 and budget documents).
- Key Investors
- NASA (via Science Activation program) and Miami-Dade County (grant funding).
Technology & Products
Key Products
Growing Beyond Earth Innovation Studio (makerspace with 3D printers); Growing Beyond Earth Maker Challenge; Fairchild Challenge environmental education program; Botanical garden, research, and conservation programs
Technological Advantage
No proprietary AM technology; advantage lies in exclusive NASA partnership and educational reach (100,000+ students in GBE program), which is replicable only through similar institutional collaborations.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Engages students in hands-on STEM learning by integrating 3D printing and rapid prototyping with plant science, leveraging NASA curricula to inspire the next generation of space explorers.
How They Differentiate
As a nonprofit garden, competes for STEM education grants and visitor engagement rather than AM market share; unique NASA-linked 3D printing curriculum differentiates it from other educational makerspaces.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Students, educators, researchers, visitors, and NASA program participants
Industry Verticals
Education; Nonprofit; Research
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
Revenue $10.4M; 101 employees; Growing Beyond Earth program reaches 100,000+ students across 250+ schools; operating since 1936.
Major Milestones
2016: Growing Beyond Earth program launched with NASA; 2021: GBE Maker Challenge Year 3 completed; 2024: GBE Innovation Studio opened (makerspace with 3D printers)
Notable Customers
Middle and high school students (through NASA's Growing Beyond Earth program) and general public/community visitors to the garden and Innovation Studio.