I asked a friend of mine who built a thriving Hackerspace in Europe for some advice. Note that Bitcoin is not the core focus there, but I think there are some transferrable items of value, along with some of my own ideas:
  • Location: Find a good location that is accessible by public transportation. Make sure the space is flexible for meetings, workshops, and events.
  • Incorporate: Limit your personal liability. My friend made their Hackspace a non-profit. There are legal and accounting items that need to be factored.
  • Infrastructure: High speed Internet is of course a must. Set up a full verification node within the space. Possibly some mining rigs as well (noise dampening is important). Consider a Lightning node. Secure storage for hardware wallets.
  • Security: Strong physical and digital security measures. Educate members on best practices for securing their Bitcoin and personal info.
  • Community: Organize meetups, hackathons, and workshops to engage the community. Make it inclusive and welcoming.
  • Education: Provide resources on Bitcoin, blockchain, cybersecurity. Maybe put a small library in there and fill it with relevant books. Invite and host guest speakers and experts to give talks and seminars.
  • Engage a lawyer to understand and mitigate risks.
  • Funding: Explore funding options like membership fees, sponsorships, and grants. Plan for long-term sustainability, budgeting, and financial management.
  • Partnerships: Establish collaboration with Bitcoin related organizations. Make your space a hub for gathering like minded people. Network with leading voices in the Bitcoin community to provide mentorship and support for members.
  • Marketing: Promote the hackerspace on social media. Consider a territory right here on @sn. Highlight success stories and projects to attract new members and sponsors.
  • Feedback: Gather feedback from members and guests after every event in order to continuously improve performance. Stay current with Bitcoin developments and news to keep the hackerspace relevant and innovative.
Good luck with your endeavor.
thank you so much fort his extensive write up! And for your well wishes
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