OCAD Craft Phases 2 & 3

OCAD Craft Phases 2 & 3

Craft, a new initiative by OCAD University, is an online marketplace where artists and designers can sell their work while developing skills to thrive in a just economy. As a platform cooperative, Craft is modelled as an equitable and democratic business collective that empowers, instead of exploits, creatives. In Phase 2, OCAD engaged 15 students in a 5-module co-design session seeking to determine how a platform like CRAFT might meet early-career artists’ needs. In Phase 3, through April 2023, OCAD is seeking to determine whether and how it will incubate Craft over the course of the next years (incorporation / launch phase) and the timeline to autonomy of the entity.

Platform business model & governance coaching

Platform business model & governance coaching

Launching fall 2022, The Accessibility Exchange SO is a support services organisation that provides robust, personalised assistance to help all TAE platform customers to match, contract and consult seamlessly, modelling the barrier-free Canada we are helping bring into being. Drawing from the co-design process lead by IDRC, I developed the business model plan, fundraising plan and roadmap through year 2. I further coached the founding team on how to approach the ownership and governance of the SO and platform to strike a balance between community control and growth / investment opportunities.