Who Should Work in Coworking Spaces?

The coworking space craze has taken the working world by storm, and companies that lease coworking spaces are among the fastest growing in the real estate field.

A big part of the appeal of the coworking space is due to its inherent versatility and flexibility, and it is safe to say that its popularity goes hand in glove with the growing prevalence of the gig economy.

But while it is almost self-evident that coworking spaces are ideal for freelancers of the gig economy due to its temporary, flexible and digital character, they are much more than just “a coffee shop with motivation” for freelancers; there are other kinds of workers who can benefit from choosing to work in coworking spaces.

What do working spaces offer?

Coworking spaces come in many shapes and flavors; it is recommended to shop around to find which is more suited to your budget and your needs. Some may offer just a desk and wifi, but some may offer facilities like a common area, private suites, dedicated desks / hot desks, meeting rooms, an event space, etc. There are even some where there will be a podcast / photo studio.

Who could work in coworking spaces?

Startup businesses are frequent users of coworking spaces.

A startup is already a small business; not just a solo venture. So there is a real need for a dedicated space for coming together to work, meet, discuss, etc. Moreover, as the startup grows and expands, there is a greater need for office space as well as for (general and specialized) equipment and amenities required in a professional setting.Another benefit for startups is the flexibility as a response to business fluctuations. Startups are notoriously unstable, and they run often on a tight budget; coworking spaces are perfect for these situations because there is no need to commit to a long-term lease, and the arrangement are definitely cheaper.Yet another benefit for startups is the virtual office. As a small business it is necessary to have a physical business address. In addition to having a mailing address and mail handling services, there are (temporary) meeting lounges it is possible to host potential investors, without renting an entire office suite.

Artists and creatives could make great use of coworking spaces:

For artists as diverse as writers, photographers, visual artists, jewellery and object designers, painters, composers, textile designers etc., coworking spaces can provide a community for cross-fertilization of the imagination, in addition to mutual support, guidance and mentorship as well as creative spaces for brainstorming. Moreover, coworking spaces may offer tools that may be too expensive to purchase for oneself – like high-end workstations, printers and plotters, etc. Some companies offer exhibition space available for rent, which is a big bonus for young artists.

Manufacturers, engineers, inventors and other participants in the 3rd industrial revolution:

The 3rd industrial revolution is currently best symbolized by the advent of the 3d printer. Just imagine: designers and engineers team up in order to create a car part, then they click “print” and somewhere a 3d printer starts producing the part. There’s no ink; instead, the printer uses materials like plastic, nylon, epoxy resins, silver, titanium, steel, wax, polycarbonate, etc.

Coworking spaces (sometimes called makerspace in this context) can help here in several ways:

• Provide 3d printers on site for experimentation, as well as a variety of additional tools;
• Reduce the costs of purchasing printers and raw materials;
• Create a creative community for the various disciplines required to create and manufacture 3d objects.

Any business who appreciates flexibility, values social-professional interaction with a
community of like-minded people, is looking for networking opportunities in order to gain
new perspectives (as well as new clients), will benefit from working in
coworking spaces.