Today's top innovators choose coworking spaces to scale their startups. Why? The world's leading coworking spaces provide startups with an ideal workspace option for scaling fast.
With no long-term commitments, founders can utilize coworking spaces for as long as they need to. Many founders value the connections — peers, venture capitalists, potential partners — forged at a coworking space. Costly commercial offices simply don't grant the same networking and collaborative opportunities that coworking spaces provide.
Due to increased demand, the amount of coworking spaces is expected to grow 16 percent annually through 2022. According to Global Coworking Unconference Conference (GCUC), the number of globally available facilities will jump from 14,411 to more than 30,000 in just five years.
This year, to stay on top of members' demands, coworking spaces will make the following changes to cater to a new breed of entrepreneurs.
Top 3 Ways Coworking Will Change in 2018
Social Enterprises
Over the past decade, several Ivy League and top-ranked schools have shown an increased interest in social entrepreneurship. In fact, the number of students enrolled in Harvard's Social Enterprise Career Program has nearly doubled since 2006. It should come as no surprise that coworking spaces are predicted to see an increase in the number of startups with do-good business models.
Social enterprises come in all shapes, sizes, and verticals. Within the tech community, these startups are most often focused on solving the world's biggest challenges through new and emerging technologies. By harnessing market forces, as opposed to funneling "supply-based" solutions, these tech startups manage to succeed where government programs and NGOs have previously failed.
While government-backed programs can meet immediate community deficiencies, they often lack the resources, materials, and manpower to produce long-term relief. Conversely, today's tech startups are generating innovative solutions that position impoverished communities to achieve greater self-reliance. Here are some of our favorite social enterprises:
- Plastic Bank: Designed in partnership with IBM, Plastic Bank uses blockchain technology to convert recycled plastic into currency. The currency can be used to purchase items at a "Plastic Bank market" and pay for school tuition within impoverished communities.
- Range Networks: Range is on a mission to make mobile communication more affordable for everyone in the world. The tech startup makes open-source software that allows users to build their own mobile networks independent of major providers. So far, Range has launched in remote villages in Papua, Indonesia, Zambia, Mexico, and dozens of other locations.
- Revivn: This startup works with companies like Dentsu Aegis, Razorfish, and Etsy to collect unused electronics. These electronics are then donated to communities in need.
Unlock the power of community to achieve accelerated growth! Learn more in the Power of Ecosystem: How RocketSpace Fuels Tech Startup Growth.
Smart Communities
AI-powered technology is advancing rapidly. Many consumers have become accustomed to the convenience afforded by the connected devices in their homes. An increasing number of businesses are evaluating how AI might streamline their existing services (e.g. conversation chatbots).
According to Navigant Research, a growing number of coworking communities will also be exploring how artificial intelligence might streamline their processes, systems, and member services. Once an IoT framework is established, AI can automate services like heating, cooling, and lighting. The technical capabilities afforded by these new, intelligent building controls will create more value for members.
Niche Spaces Will Dominate the Coworking Scene
This year, an increasing number of coworking spaces will cater to niche audiences. Members will utilize these niche coworking spaces to achieve accelerated results. How? Put simply, it's not hard to progress when you surround yourself with others who share your interests, goals, and drive for success. Additionally, these niche spaces offer uniquely curated workshops, networking events, and more!
A tech campus like RocketSpace admits Seed to Series C funded tech startups with a minimum viable product in place. As such, RocketSpace is able to maintain an exceptional community of industry-leading tech startup founders, mentors, and venture capitalists.
Here's to a Successful 2018
With more than 13,800 coworking spaces worldwide, entrepreneurs have no shortage of convenient work options to choose from. If you're looking for a growth-driven tech community designed to help your startup scale, RocketSpace is an ideal solution.
At RocketSpace, we provide tech startups of all verticals with:
- Flexibility: Office space for teams up to 60.
- Comfort: Amenities like onsite cafes, nap pods, and showers.
- Connections: Partnership opportunities with VCs, advisors, and corporates.
- Guidance : Product exposure + feedback (no equity required) via unique accelerator programs.
"RocketSpace is efficient, flexible and central. It couldn't be easier to get setup and grow. And it has such an amazing location, which is fantastic as we build our team and community. The facilities and the team have really been amazing partners in our growth," says Cory Jones, VP of Marketing at Skyroam.
