Tech firm helps launch STEM-focused lab in elementary school - St Pete Catalyst

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St. Pete virtual reality firm 3D Cloud by Marxent has partnered with the Douglas L. Jamerson Elementary School to open a STEM lab.

Marxent donated $5,000 to help the magnet school at 1200 37th St. S. build its first STEM lab – now called the Marxent Fab Lab, which focuses on science and technology.

“My brother and I grew up with a love of building things and breaking things,” said Marxent CEO and co-founder Beck Besecker. “It’s part of what led us to start 3D Cloud by Marxent — and it is exactly what the Jamerson Engineering Day and Fab Lab are all about. We were impressed by what the school is doing to bring quality, inventive STEM education to a diverse group of students in St. Pete and are proud to support their programs.”

The school, Besecker added, “is going to be the source of Tampa Bay’s next generation of tech leaders and entrepreneurs. We consider ourselves lucky to be able to contribute and want to encourage others in the Tampa Bay tech community to do the same.”

Marxent, which has roughly 30 employees in St. Pete, specializes in augmented reality projects for omnichannel retailers — including Lowe’s, Ashley HomeStores and Macy’s. Marxent’s platform allows consumers to virtually design bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms, offices and outdoor spaces using furniture and decor from the retailers. Marxent was the sole company that has made a monetary donation to the lab. The funding allowed the school to purchase 3D printers, robotic materials, furniture and engineering-based games.

“We believe that local companies pitch in what we can, we can level the playing field in tech, build a stronger future workforce for the region, and properly fund schools and STEM education in economically diverse districts,” Marxent CMO Sonia Schechter said. “Not every individual or company can donate millions of dollars but if each local tech company does even a little, we can make a big difference in writing the future.”

Lukas Hefty, assistant principal at Jamerson Elementary, is a big proponent of STEM education and reached out to Marxent about the opportunity.

Besecker said Marxent’s investor, philanthropist Arnie Bellini, inspired Marxent to make the commitment and support the local school after Bellini and his wife, Lauren, announced last week they were donating $10.6 million to fund the Bellini Center for Talent Development at the University of South Florida.

“Bellini’s philosophy is that business, community and education are all interdependent – and he couldn’t be more right. He sets an amazing example for the next generation of leaders,” Besecker said.

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