Community Business Models

Many business models and phases of developement are needed to successfully replicate a working civilization on a small scale. Hypermodularity is maintained throughout so the waste products of one system are either recaptured or reused which continuously reduces running costs. This list is not exhaustive;

• Hydroponic Agricultural - In hydroponics we use lettuce as a baseline crop in our discussions. A 4000 hole 'nft' hydroponic system growing a variety of lettuce that takes four weeks to mature would require 1000 lettuce to be planted and harvested per week. This would consist of 2 hours work per day for one person in a well organized system. Assuming a conservative retail value of $0.5 per lettuce this would give an annual gross income equal to $26,000.

• Geodesic dome - For 20 hours labour and $220 it is possible to create a 200sqft geodesic dome green house with a retail value of $1500.With an initial investment of $5000 dollars it would be possible to create a 5000sqft greenhouse on two stories that was the most efficient food production system on the plant.

For $2500 dollars and 120 hours construction it is possible to create a small two storey 3 bedroom 1200sqft geodesic dome home with a small solar system and rain water collection system but with no interior, On land with planning permission this could be worth in excess of $100,000 dollars. 

• Aquaculture - Fish and lobster retails for $10 per pound making it the most expensive form of protein sold on international markets. The feed conversion ratio in an efficient aquaculture system shows that 1.2lbs of feed will produce 1lb of fish. Black soldier fly larva or worms can remove food waste and create a source of feed for the business. A 10,000 fish system can generate a gross income of $100,000 dollars per year. 10,000 fish need 200,000 litres of water. This would equal an area 2000sqft. Feed costs would be $8000 dollars

Things to consider when setting up an Open Source or Community Business Model

(These point will be location, funds and (personal) interest dependant)

• Funding
• Material Costs
• People - how many and what skills are needed
• Hours Labour
• Product/Produce Selling Prices
• Market(research) / Customers / Other Communities / NGOs abroad (Design Development Summit http://iddsummit.org/)
• Ease of start?

Energy:

• Solar
• Wind
• Water
• Batteries?
• (sell machines, consulting, electricity, sell electricity back to the grid)

Food

• Powering an aquaponic system (rotating?) + Green House like Wisconsin one.

- Other OS Greenhouses + Business models?

• Selling produce

Fabrication:

• CNC workshop
• FabLab
• Selling OS products
• Service (maintenance) (for the public)
• Renting machines
• Use the machines at our place and take the products with you

Construction:

• Consider different construction methods.
• Sell construction products

Education:

• Training
• Consultancy

Guidelines to follow:

• set up as or be Non-Profit
• Use OS Licences on products - http://www.youtube.com/user/sciguy14#p/u/2/xyEnY7nK2Y4

Side Thoughts;

• Specify how much it would cost to set up a Greenhouse and CNC workshop.
• Research possible returns.
• Outline an investment plan for ourselves and collaborators i.e. if you invest 10k then you get 10k back plus inflation?
• Look at possible ways to expand into a chain of OS businesses once one is established?
• Consider a plan that enables people to "buy out at the bottom".