Meet Chris Thorpe from I Can Make – our Startup of the Week
Welcome to the fifth episode in the Elevator Pitch series 3.
Every week we’ll publish a 30 second pitch from 12 leading startups from across London. In this series we took the founders to the top of 40 Bank Street in the heart of Canary Wharf for the most exciting pitch of their lives.
The era of 3D printing is coming. What started in the 80s and 90s as a tool for giant corporations is now becoming available to all of us. Soon we will be all be able to simply print our favourite household items, toys and more.
As the 3D printing revolution arrives, founder Chris Thorpe wanted to children and schools to be able to benefit from the innovation. He founded I Can Make, one of the first providers for entertaining and education 3D products.
3D printers for kids
I Can Make will provide educational kits for children, parents, students and teachers.
Chris Thorpe believes educational 3D products is a wide and untapped market. The printers will become part of the national curriculum from September and as of yet believes there are no services offering educational designs.
He wants to be the first in a global market.
Helping teachers
Whilst doing the research into 3D printers, Chris found that teachers were terrified of having to teach stuff that they knew nothing about.
He spoke to teachers who were around when the first computers came into classrooms:
What they said to us is that content was incredibly helpful. They wanted material that could help them teach the new technology.
What they said to us is that content was incredibly helpful. They wanted material that could help them teach the new technology.That’s exactly what I Can Make provide.
The process is simple. You visit their website, download a design and then print.
Twelve kits will be available by Autumn 2014 including three transport models with historical value: the Stephenson’s Rocket, Gloster E28/E29 Jet and Spaceship One. 
More than just models
The company provide more than just the models; the 3D prints will function as educational stimulus for children. Chris Thorpe explains:
Along with offering 3D kits, I Can Make will provide informative videos for schoolchildren and adults to learn from.
Over 1000 schools in the UK already have 3D printers and that number is only set to increase.
Many might be wondering where they can actually get their hands on a 3D printer. If you don’t have access to one there are now even 3D printing stores popping up like iMakr in Farringdon.