The path to the top 5% of geospatial professionals starts here
The Spatial Lab is built for people ready to pivot into the next stage of their career with clarity, confidence, and cutting‑edge expertise.
Through hands‑on projects, modern skills, and a community of ambitious peers, you’ll position yourself for opportunities you didn’t think possible—and have the support to seize them.
Really. This claim is grounded in clear trends:
Only ~40% of geospatial professionals use any form of programming in their work.
Source: Geography RealmFewer than 10% have hands-on experience with geospatial AI or machine learning.
Source: UK Geospatial CommissionJust 14% have received advanced training outside of vendor-specific tools.
Source: URISA GIS Professional Survey
Across a global workforce of hundreds of thousands - from municipal GIS technicians to satellite data analysts - very few possess a modern, end-to-end stack that includes:
Spatial SQL
Python for geospatial
Cloud-native workflows
AI/ML for geospatial data
Data engineering and pipelines
By mastering these inside the Spatial Lab, you’re joining an elite cohort. This top 5% are the professionals leading the most innovative projects, earning the highest salaries, and being sought after by top organizations.
LEVEL UP
Who you'll become in the Spatial Lab
This isn’t just about learning tools. It’s about transforming your career, your skills, and your confidence so you stand out in the modern geospatial world.
By the time you’ve worked through our programs, contributed to projects, and tapped into the network, you’ll be:
In demand
The candidate companies compete for, with a portfolio and skill set that instantly signals value.
Top-tier
Operating in the top 5% of geospatial professionals, with mastery of modern GIS, cloud-native workflows, and AI-driven analysis.
Cutting edge
Ahead of the curve on technology and trends, applying tools and methods most of the industry hasn’t caught up to yet.
Connected
Surrounded by ambitious peers, mentors, and collaborators who help you access opportunities you didn’t think possible.
Confident
Able to pivot into new roles or career paths with clarity and authority, backed by both skill and a support system.
Before the Spatial Lab → After the Spatial Lab
You operate in the top 5% of geospatial professionals, fluent in cloud-native GIS, AI, and modern data engineering.
You have a clear roadmap, targeted skills, and a portfolio that gets you noticed.
You’re the candidate companies compete to hire, positioned for high‑impact roles.
You’re plugged into a community of ambitious peers, mentors, and collaborators who accelerate your growth.
You’re ahead of the curve—already using the tools and methods most of the industry will adopt years from now
How it works
Three transformative stages
Mastering modern GIS doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Our proven 3-step learning path gives you the direction, tools, and support you need to build real geospatial skills and unlock new career opportunities.
Whether you’re pivoting from legacy tools, stepping into the field for the first time, or leveling up your data engineering and spatial analysis skills, this system meets you where you are and helps you grow with purpose.
Define your focus area based on your goals (career pivot, tech mastery, AI in GIS, etc.).
Identify the exact skills and tools that matter for your path.
Benchmark where you are today.
Receive a personalized learning plan that matches your career ambitions.
Join interactive sessions and complete hands‑on projects to solidify skills.
Learn alongside peers for accountability and shared insights.
Track how far you’ve come and adjust your plan based on new interests or opportunities.
Map your career trajectory using your new skills and network.
Refine your portfolio, resume, and LinkedIn to showcase your expertise.
Leverage the Spatial Lab network to open doors and land opportunities you didn’t think possible.
Get the skills, feedback, and support you've been missing
Learn cutting-edge geospatial skills, build real-world projects, and move your career forward—faster. Inside the Spatial Lab, you’ll find expert guidance, modern tools, and a community of peers who are growing alongside you.
Whether you're leveling up for your next role, switching tools, or finally building that project you've had in mind, this is the space where learning turns into momentum.
Build your skills with practical, guided learning
Learn through community-driven courses on modern GIS, spatial statistics, cloud workflows, geospatial AI, and more. Each course is hands-on and practical—so you can build your portfolio and apply your skills with confidence.
See the included courses
- Modern GIS Accelerator course
- Career Compass course
- Modern GIS Bricks
- Spatial Data Engineering (E-Track)
- Geopandas Mini-Course
- QGIS Mini-Course
- Apache Sedona Mini Course
See our upcoming community events
Every 2 Weeks: Matt's Office Hours
QGIS & PostGIS Deep Dive
Foundational Models: What to Know?
Building a Spatial LLM App
Every Month: Career Tracks
Reach your geospatial goals with support that sticks
In the Spatial Lab, you’ll find the accountability, structure, and motivation you need to keep moving forward. Learn alongside peers who are navigating the same challenges. Share your progress, get feedback when you’re stuck, and celebrate milestones. You don’t have to do this alone.
G Track: Spatial Analytics & Optimization
A Track: Systems & Architecture
AI Track: Spatial AI & Large Language Models
M Track: Modern GIS Foundations
Find your people and get your questions answered
In the Spatial Lab, you’ll find the accountability, structure, and motivation you need to keep moving forward. Learn alongside peers who are navigating the same challenges. Share your progress, get feedback when you’re stuck, and celebrate milestones. You don’t have to do this alone.
12,000+ Happy Clients
Clients sharing in their feedback
The best way to showcase our commitment is through the experiences and stories of those who have partnered with us.
Matt is dedicated to upskilling those who have left university a long time ago to keep up with what is being taught nowadays. This is only part of the puzzle, however.
Join a supportive community of modern GIS professionals
Learning modern geospatial tools can feel overwhelming—that’s why we built the Spatial Lab with you in mind. Whether you’re just starting out, leveling up your skills, or building toward a new role, you’ll find your place (and your people) here.
SAVE ~15% with annual plans
Explore
For curious learners
- Spatial Lab newsletter + free resource drops
- Public events with Matt Forrest
- Free 101 Courses (QGIS, GeoPandas, Apache Sedona)
Build
Learn and grow
- Full access to core Modern GIS Bricks (a $447 value)
- Full access to the Modern GIS Accelerator (a $399 value)
- Access to 15+ community spaces for discussion and support
- Access to Matt Forrest Twice-Monthly Office Hours (a $500 value)
- Monthly beginner workshops (live and replay)
🔥 Most popular 🔥
Scale
Accelerate impact
- Everything in Build plus...
- Unlimited access to live sessions and event replays
- Weekly live calls, office hours, and Career Hot Seats with Matt ($1000 value)
- Full suite of Modern GIS Bricks (a $1192 value)
- Built-in AI assistant (Tiley) to help you find content, tools, and threads
- Access to private peer groups and deeper topic channels
- Submit work for direct feedback from Matt (a $350 value)
- Showcase your work and grow visibility inside and outside the Lab
- Mentorship matching and project feedback spaces
- Small group masterminds around specific topics
New
Lead
For leaders and growth
- Bi-monthly learning and coaching calls with Matt (a $800 value)
- Unlimited access to live sessions and event replays
- Weekly live calls, office hours, and Career Hot Seats with Matt ($1000 value)
- Built-in AI assistant (Tiley) to help you find content, tools, and threads
- Access to private peer groups and deeper topic channels
- Submit work for direct feedback from Matt (a $500 value)
- Showcase your work and grow visibility inside and outside the Lab
- Mentorship matching and project feedback spaces
- Small group masterminds around specific topics
- Lead is billed on a quarterly basis
Compare the memberships
Build
$19 /mo
Scale
$49 /mo
Lead
$149 /mo
Modern GIS Accelerator
Complete program for modern GIS from QGIS to Cloud-Native
Community Spaces
Learn, interact, and share with others
Weekly Events
Hot seats, deep dives, career paths, and more
–
Modern GIS Bricks Core Tier
Matt's Twice a Month Office Hours
Built-in AI assistant (Tiley)
Modern GIS Bricks Full Suite
–
Full Community Forum
–
Mentorship & Peer Matching
–
Networking Events & Project Showcases
–
Exclusive 2x/Month 1:1 Coaching with Matt
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When we say community, what do we mean?
The Spatial Lab is your home base for learning modern GIS—together with others who are just as driven as you.
Built on the Circle platform, it’s a clean, easy-to-navigate space where you can join focused discussions, get help when you're stuck, and access exclusive courses, events, and resources—all in one place.
Whether you're building a portfolio, learning a new tool, or navigating a career move, the Spatial Lab is where support, momentum, and real growth happen.
Hi, I’m Matt Forrest
I started the Spatial Lab because I know how isolating and frustrating it can be to learn modern GIS on your own—especially when most of the field still clings to outdated tools and workflows.
Over the years, I’ve built open-source geospatial projects, helped launch cutting-edge products, and worked with some of the top data teams in the world. But the most rewarding part has always been helping others navigate the same path—sharing what I’ve learned, the mistakes I’ve made, and the tools that actually work.
The Spatial Lab was created to give you a place to learn those tools, build real projects, and grow your career—with a supportive, ambitious community right alongside you.
I can’t wait to see where this takes you. My goal is for you to look back one day and say, “Joining the Spatial Lab was the moment everything changed.”
Let’s build what’s next—together.
You've earned
your seat.
You’ve done the work. You’ve built the skills.
Now step into the room where the most forward-thinking geospatial professionals grow together.
Cut the noise. Keep the edge.
We've got answers
Common questions you might be having
Not at all. The Spatial Lab offers resources for every stage, starting with the Test tier (free) and Build membership, which give you access to beginner-friendly courses, foundational discussions, and guidance designed for those taking their first steps into modern GIS and spatial analysis.
We’ve designed the Lab with flexibility in mind. You can engage at your own pace—through asynchronous discussions, recorded workshops, and on-demand project templates—so you can learn and make progress whenever it fits your schedule.
Yes. Members have landed new roles, led complex projects, and added in-demand skills like cloud-native GIS, spatial SQL, and AI-powered analysis to their toolkit. With our structured learning paths, project templates, and direct feedback opportunities, you’ll have the tools and support to create tangible results.
Think of this as an investment in your career. You’re not just getting access to training—you’re joining a professional network, learning from experienced practitioners, and getting opportunities to showcase your work. Many members say the networking, feedback, and accountability alone are worth the cost.
The Spatial Lab is designed to be inclusive, supportive, and welcoming to all backgrounds. Whether you’re an introvert who prefers learning quietly or an extrovert who thrives on discussion, you’ll find a space where you can grow at your own pace, with peers ready to help and celebrate your wins.
FAQs
Questions? We're glad you asked
Everything inside Spatial Lab is something you could learn on your own. There are no secret hacks or hidden formulas.
What you’re getting here is focus, structure, and momentum—without the endless searching, second-guessing, or going it alone.
The value isn’t just in the content. It’s in the curation, community, and clarity that helps you grow faster and more confidently. If that sounds like what you’ve been looking for, I’d love to welcome you inside.
And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Spatial Lab is a private learning and collaboration space for modern geospatial professionals. It’s part community, part learning platform, and part advisory circle. Inside, you’ll find curated tutorials, full courses, live events, mentorship, and thoughtful discussion—all centered on helping you stay relevant, sharpen your skills, and grow your career using the modern spatial stack.
This isn’t a traditional course or a noisy Slack group. It’s a long-term space to learn, connect, and lead—built for those who are serious about their craft.
A course ends. Spatial Lab evolves with you.
While you get access to full flagship courses like Foundations of Modern GIS and Modern GIS Accelerator, the real value of Spatial Lab is in the ongoing structure and support. New tools and workflows are emerging all the time—and this is where we stay current together.
You’ll benefit from weekly live sessions, new tutorials, project feedback, personalized guidance, and a peer group who can help you push further than you could on your own.
If you’re a mid-career or senior GIS professional, a technical lead, a freelancer, or someone transitioning into the modern spatial world, you’ll likely feel right at home. This space was designed for people who already know the fundamentals and are ready to level up—whether that means learning new tools like Airflow, Iceberg, and Sedona, shifting from Esri to open stacks, or navigating bigger career moves.
If you’re brand new to GIS, this might feel a bit advanced. But if you’ve got experience and ambition, we’re here for it.
You don’t need more time. You need less noise and more clarity.
Spatial Lab is designed to help you grow with as little as 1 hour per week. Every tutorial, event, and thread is curated to deliver maximum impact without overwhelming you with content.
And because this is a community, you’re not doing it alone. The structure, support, and curation are here to help you move forward—without the burnout.
There’s no such thing as falling behind here.
This isn’t a cohort with deadlines or a course with expiration dates. You can drop in when you have time, catch up on replays, and dive into the parts that matter most to you. The content is always available, and the Lab is designed to support your pace, not pressure you into someone else’s.
Membership includes:
Access to all live events and event replays
Full access to Foundations of Modern GIS, Modern GIS Accelerator, and all future courses
New mini tutorials every month (Airflow, Sedona, Iceberg, etc.)
Weekly Office Hours and Hot Seats with Matt Forrest
A private discussion forum with curated topic threads and project sharing
Mentorship matching with fellow members
Access to Tiley, the Lab’s AI assistant who helps you navigate everything
First look at new tools, templates, and content before they’re released elsewhere
Direct access to Matt via DMs and forum responses
We review applications weekly to ensure that members align with the Lab’s values and goals. We're not looking for experts—we're looking for people who are serious about growing, sharing, and contributing to a thoughtful, high-signal space.
If you’re accepted, you’ll receive an invite to join within a few days, along with immediate access to everything inside.
Membership is $49/month or $499/year. You can cancel at any time.
If you think about the cost in terms of time saved, strategic insight gained, and access to a network of sharp peers—it’s a small investment for a big leap in your career and capabilities.
Yes, and many members do. Spatial Lab qualifies as professional development or technical training for most employers. We can provide receipts and custom documentation if needed—just reach out after joining.
You will get an email with your new account to acces the Lab. Just log in and set up your account with a new password.
Easy—just send a message. I am happy to help you figure out if Spatial Lab is the right fit. No pressure, no gimmicks—just honest answers.