Ventra- dust collector for desktop hobbies
Year 1 (2025-26)
by Casey Miller
Ventra brings workshop dust and fume collection to your kitchen table or workstation.
About This Idea
More than half of benchtop hobbyists lack a dedicated workspace.
People cut, sand, paint, and solder at their kitchen table and create dust and fumes that are hard to contain. These messes are harmful to both their homes and bodies.
Because hobbyists lack workspace they do not have the room for industrial sized dust collectors, or paint booths.
This problem only grows as people continue to gain easy access to tools and knowledge.
The market continues to grow with new hobby level machines becoming more advanced.
Where Did This Idea Spark at WMU?
This project initially came about from a product design studio course thst revolved around the Inspired Home Show student competition.
With new insight after the semester, this project has recieved numerous revisions, to continue development and has been pitched at statup zoo, and to a pitch competition within the Western Product Design program.
Impact in Kalamazoo
Makerspaces in Kalamazoo and west michigan act a hubs for creative people. They create community through shared interest and bring people together. When makers share knowledge, and tools it brings the community tighter.
How Investment Helps
I have connections to West Michigan based manufacturers that can help bring this product to life. This stimulates the local economy and keeps manufacturing not only in the US but right here in kalamazoo.
What I'll Do With the Money
10% - refined prototyping
10%- marketing
20% - engineering and testing
60% - tooling and manufacturing
About the Founder
I am a student in the product design program with a passion to create.