Let's Party! 20 years of Happylab 

2006 - 2012

One of the first research projects to emerge from the growing Happylab community was ASV Roboat—a fully autonomous robotic sailing boat developed by Karim, Roland and their team between 2006 and 2012.

Roboat went on to win several international autonomous sailing competitions and was later used in collaboration with Oregon State University to study harbour porpoise populations in the Baltic Sea.

2004 - 2016

From 2004 to 2016, we hosted RobotChallenge in Vienna - one of the world’s largest competitions for self-built autonomous and mobile robots.

RobotChallenge brought together thousands of participants and visitors from around the world, inspiring enthusiasm for robotics, electronics and artificial intelligence. Since 2017, the competition has been held in Beijing in cooperation with Chinese partner organisations.

2010 - 2021

As the community continued to grow, the original basement soon became too small. In 2010, Happylab moved to a new location in Vienna’s 2nd district, expanding to 240 m² and creating more space for machines, workshops and new projects.

With larger CNC milling machines, laser cutters, 3D printers and other new technologies, Happylab became a central hub for making, prototyping and digital fabrication in Vienna.

2014

In 2014, we opened Happylab Salzburg, the first makerspace to grow out of Happylab Vienna. Together with regional partners, we created a new space for making, digital fabrication and creative technologies.

Today, Happylab Salzburg is independently run by a local team and continues to be an important part of Austria’s makerspace community.

2016 - 2023

The maker movement needs a stage: In 2016, Happylab brought Maker Faire Vienna to the city, creating a major festival celebrating innovation, creativity and technology.

For the first time, Maker Faire Vienna showcased Austria’s maker community to a broad audience, inspiring thousands of visitors to explore science, technology and hands-on creativity. It quickly became a showcase, knowledge-sharing platform and meeting place for Austria’s maker movement.

2016

With the opening of Happylab Berlin, Happylab expanded beyond Austria for the first time. Together with our local team, we created a new open space for making, digital fabrication and innovation in Berlin.

Today, Happylab Berlin is independently run by a local team and continues to carry the spirit of Happylab forward.

2020

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, when protective equipment was in short supply around the world, Happylab quickly transformed into a production hub for 3D-printed face shields.

Together with our community, we produced thousands of face shields for temporary hospitals, medical practices and other essential organisations. The project demonstrated how open workshops can respond quickly in times of crisis and create real impact for society.

2021

With the move to our new location, Happylab entered its next chapter. Expanding to more than 900 m², we created new workshop areas, more space for projects, and even greater opportunities for digital fabrication and prototyping.

Alongside our existing facilities, we added fully equipped wood and metal workshops, new machine areas and a dedicated finishing space. Today, Happylab remains Vienna’s largest open high-tech workshop.

2022

Starting in 2022, Happylab placed an even stronger focus on diversity and equal opportunities in technology and making. Through workshops, exhibitions, networking events and women*-only formats, we created spaces for women* to explore new technologies, develop their own projects and become part of the maker community.

By increasing the visibility of female* makers in a traditionally male-dominated field, we established long-term Female* Makers programmes that continue to shape Happylab today.

2024

Building on our long-running and popular kids birthday parties, Happylab introduced new programmes designed especially for children and teenagers. Through initiatives such as the Young Makers Academy and the Young Makers Club, young makers explore digital technologies, tools and creative project work in a fun and hands-on way.

At Happylab, we create spaces where children and young people can be creative, experiment and discover future technologies by making them their own.

2026

Twenty years after Happylab was founded, we’re celebrating more than an anniversary - we’re celebrating two decades of open access to technology, knowledge and tools.

Twenty years of Happylab have shown why open workshops matter: they bring together education, technology, craftsmanship, art and entrepreneurship, foster collaboration, and make innovation accessible to everyone. Together, we’re celebrating 20 years of making in Vienna - and the people, ideas and projects that have made Happylab what it is today.