Microsoft has begun scaling back its legendary "The Garage" program, shuttering several physical locations on October 23. The future of the team behind the initiative remains unclear.
Originally launched in Redmond back in 2009, the program expanded over its 17-year run into a global network of around 15 hubs where employees could build experimental hardware and software prototypes. Microsoft has yet to announce what lies ahead for the project's staff following the site closures.
Additionally, the tech giant is shaking up the format of its corporate hackathons and has not confirmed whether the next event will proceed in its traditional setup, with organizers promising a formal decision at a later date. Microsoft’s first company-wide hackathon debuted in July 2014, drawing over 11,000 registered employees across 80 countries. One of the project's most notable success stories was Seeing AI, an award-winning 2015 hackathon project that leverages artificial intelligence to describe surroundings and read text for the visually impaired. Other breakout tools include Mouse Without Borders, which lets users control up to four PCs with a single mouse and keyboard, and the Android-based Arrow Launcher, which cleared over 50 million downloads on Google Play before being rebranded as Microsoft Launcher.
Microsoft stated that it remains committed to helping employees hone their skills and collaborate on innovative ideas. However, the long-term fate of the physical spaces and the dedicated Garage team itself hangs in the balance.
Do you think Microsoft can keep the spirit of The Garage alive after closing its physical hubs and restructuring the hackathon format?
