The Community Makerspace is available to reserve on 3/16, 4/20, 5/18, and 6/15.

RCMakes

RCMakes is a non-profit conglomerate operated by students at Rancho Campana High School. Services include an online store selling wares made by students, a community makerspace, a build-to-spec job shop for individual and business customers, expanded learning programs for incoming and current high school students, video production, software development and graphic design.

RCMakes may be operated by students but it is managed by the serial entrepreneur Dave Gross who founded RCMakes and NewCo Foundation in 2017. He is an educator, entrepreneur, engineer and investor. He co-founded Motodyne, Fastclick, Persistence Partners, Connexity, RCMakes and NewCo Foundation with multiple successful exits including an IPO.

Gross graduated from the University of California Santa Barbara with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and a BA in Environmental Studies. Since then, Mr. Gross has used his education and skills in the fields of internet, aerospace, and alternative transportation. In the early stages of his career, he was responsible for designing electric and hybrid electric vehicles as well as hardware for various aerospace applications including the International Space Station and the longest rigid structure ever deployed in space.

He co-founded Fastclick, a successful Internet advertising company. Under his leadership, Fastclick, which started with $400K in seed capital, raised a $75M private-equity round and went from startup to public company in less than of 5 years.

RCMakes provides thousands of internship hours annually to high school and college students. Interns gain hands on experience in engineering, manufacturing, entrepreneurship, and various other aspects of operating a business. Students incubate their product and service ideas thus learning the realities of a startup company, developing confidence and gaining pride of ownership by being directly involved in the decision-making process.

Picture of Dave Gross

- Dave Gross, General Manager and Founder

Fidget Spinner Case Study

In the winter and spring of 2017, the fidget spinner craze swept the nation. RCMakes began making our own as demand took off. They were re-engineered, 3D printed and assembled at Rancho Campana High School. This instantly viral product was a good start on our path to economic self-sufficiency. We sold over 2,500 units in three months.

Average Selling Price (ASP) $3.25

Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) $1.75

Gross Profit per Unit $1.50

Units sold > 2,500

Revenue > $8,000

Gross Profit > $3,750