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Leap Space was founded in 2020 by Connor Kirk, drawing on five years of experience planning and managing makerspaces across international settings. Upon returning to the United States, Connor recognized an opportunity to leverage this expertise to support libraries and other institutions in establishing and programming their own vibrant makerspaces.
At the heart of Leap Space is the belief in the positive and supportive communities that form when people share tools and creative spaces. There is something profoundly connecting about collaborative making environments that brings people together in meaningful ways.
We are guided by core principles: empowering individuals to create independently, promoting repair over replacement, and advocating for a shift toward local, small-quantity manufacturing rather than mass production in far away places. These concepts aren't just ideals—they're essential frameworks for ensuring the prosperity of future generations.
Through Leap Space, we're committed to building not just makerspaces, but the foundations for more sustainable, connected, and skilled communities.
Connor Kirk is a mechanical engineer, entrepreneur, and visual artist with roots in both the creative and technical worlds. After graduating from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2011, he relocated to Kyoto, Japan, where he lived for eight years. During this time, Connor not only exhibited his artwork at the Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art but also discovered his passion for collaborative making spaces.
In 2017, Connor played a pivotal role in establishing Kyoto Makers Garage (KMG), a makerspace supported by Kyoto City. He managed this innovative space until his return to the United States in 2019, gaining invaluable experience in makerspace planning, community building, and program development.
Since returning to the US, Connor has continued his professional journey as a mechanical engineer across various industries including advanced manufacturing, conveyance systems, and the steel industry. In 2025, he received his first US patent for low water consumption cooling technology in steel melting furnaces.
Connor currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife Tomoyo and their three daughters, Meisa, Rimi, and Ena.