The Dream Began
2010
In 2010, five families started a FIRST Robotics Competition team for their high schoolers. As more families joined, a vision emerged for a nonprofit to expand robotics engagement. With 12 founding families, the journey began.
Established Wake Robotics
2011
The founders envisioned a community where robotics and technology would serve as tools to nurture confident, capable young adults. Their dream was to empower these individuals with the belief and knowledge that they possessed the power to make a difference in the world.
Our First Space
2011
Our inaugural space, a 3,000 sqft building, provided a secure outdoor area for team-building activities. This environment allowed the organization to expand its community impact by conducting hands-on demonstrations at libraries, Maker fairs, and various outdoor public venues. Additionally, we acquired 6 Plastibot 3D printers
kits, hosting an event where members assembled them, learning how they work from the inside out.
The Forge Downtown Kickstarter
2014
In 2014, we embarked on an ambitious journey with our One Million Dollar Kickstarter campaign to realize our dream of opening The Forge Downtown in Cary, NC—a space for innovation, collaboration, and growth. With unwavering support from our dedicated members and the boundless generosity of our community, we soared beyond expectations, raising an astounding $43,000 in just 30 days. While the sale of the building may not have materialized as planned, our spirit remained unyielding, fueling our determination to forge ahead and bring our vision to life.
The Forge Initiative
2015
Formerly known as Wake Robotics, The Forge Initiative faced a period during the summer of 2015, finding itself without a permanent home. Undeterred, we leveraged our strong member community to sustain our mission, hosting our beloved Family Open Forge on Saturdays in various venues like dance studios and parks.
Though temporary, this solution proved invaluable until we secured a new space—a 3,000 sqft wing within a school in Preston of Cary, NC.
Concurrently, we expanded our horizons through a partnership with the American Underground, a startup incubator, facilitating internships for three of our talented alumni. Additionally, we forged dynamic partnerships, bringing more programs to the community, with the Life and Science Museum, MetLife and IEEE.
One Step Closer
2017-2020
The Forge Initiative prototyped the Open Innovation Tech Space, including a family Makerspace and FabLab, IEEE sponsored AI programs, workshops and events for the general public, partnerships with organizations for underserved communities – laying the groundwork for larger-scale expansion. The dream of a third space, inviting all to explore and innovate
The COVID-19 Shut Down
2020
In 2020, we faced an unexpected challenge as we temporarily closed our doors to both members and the public. What began as a projected six-week hiatus extended into several months. Amidst this period, the property we knew and loved was sold, prompting yet another relocation as we transitioned our organization into storage.
In the fall, we moved into a 3,000 sqft unit in Apex, NC and named it BFF—Bridge to the Future Forge.
Bridge to the Future Forge
Present
We named this space “Bridge to the Future Forge,” foreseeing it as a pivotal juncture—a haven to navigate the challenges of the pandemic and propel us towards a brighter tomorrow. Aware of its temporary nature, we anticipated the need for a more sustainable abode for our organization.
As the pandemic persisted, reaffirming the limitations of our current space, our resolve only grew stronger. Now, with our lease drawing to a close, we are eagerly on the hunt for a new venue to introduce The Forge Initiative: An Open Innovation Tech Space.