Microsoft is closing The Garage, a network of maker spaces used by employees for experimental projects and hackathons. The program, which operated for 17 years, served as a hub for approximately 15 locations across the US, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
The main facility was located at the company's Redmond campus. These spaces allowed staff to prototype hardware and software, leading to the creation of tools like the Xbox Adaptive Controller and the Seeing AI app. The company has also removed the online hall of fame documenting these projects.
The closure process begins as early as Friday, October 23rd. Microsoft indicated that it is winding down the program as a centralized function, though it plans to explore other ways to foster collaboration. The future of the company's annual hackathon event remains uncertain.
This decision follows other recent internal cutbacks, including the closure of the corporate employee library. The company is now shifting its focus toward integrating experimentation into daily team workflows rather than maintaining dedicated programs.
