About UMA Open Learning Lab

[Learn. Build. Innovate]

The UMA Open Learning Lab (OLL) is a peer-to-peer community platform dedicated to inspiring and facilitating innovation in teaching and learning across all manufacturing/maker ecosystems. OLL recognizes effective learning happens when you gain access to the knowledge base of proven professionals with hands-on experience and tacit knowledge across multiple respective fields of study.

Open Learning Lab’s goal is to open the playing field and provide equal access to robust, and engaging educational content regardless of socio-economic status, social grouping, or alumni affiliations.

OLL’s Instructors are experienced subject matter experts who are well-versed in industries including advanced manufacturing, IP & creative law, startup operations, product development, finance and capital access, accounting, racial equity, workforce development, brand design, regenerative and sustainable manufacturing, life and career coaching, small business consulting, etc.

While we recognize the importance of formal education, we also recognize that Life is the greatest teacher. Nothing beats receiving instruction from seasoned professionals and peers who have highly developed skill sets, and have gained tacit knowledge through real-world application! Featured Instructors are a mix of savants, executives, mavericks, purple cows, university faculty, and exceptionally talented everyday people!

Join the Urban Manufacturing Alliance community!

Growing Manufacturing Policy

The Urban Manufacturing Alliance (UMA) provides a national voice on equitable economic development strategies that support small- and mid-sized manufacturers in urban areas and create important pathways to the middle class. We provide online and in-person platforms to foster exchanges to improve, replicate and disseminate community development tools.

We have held Gatherings where hundreds of manufacturing practitioners have come together in Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Somerville and Seattle (to name a few), as well as online events around local branding, equity, workforce development and land use policy.

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Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

This platform is supported through the generous contributions of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

"The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is committed to racial equity, diversity, and inclusion. We believe all people – regardless of their race, gender, or geography – should have the opportunity to share in America’s prosperity through success in their jobs and careers, as employees or entrepreneurs.

In the spirit of Ewing Marion Kauffman, we seek to build inclusive prosperity through a prepared workforce and entrepreneur-focused economic development by changing the conditions, addressing root causes, and breaking down systemic barriers that create inequities based on race, gender, and geography."

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