Building a tech startup, you are constantly fighting against time. The time until your product is ready, the time until funding runs out, the time it takes for you to acquire each new customer...
Time is your most precious commodity, and probably shouldn't be going toward mundane tasks that do not move your company forward; tasks like cleaning coffee pots, taking out the trash, or troubleshooting internet issues. Instead, you should be focused on what matters most: Scaling your company as quickly as possible.
The less time spent nurturing potential partnerships, gaining customer feedback, and engaging in revenue-generating activities, the more likely a competitor will begin to outperform you. The ability to exclusively focus on activities that move your company forward is just one of many reasons tech founders often choose coworking.
The Benefits of Coworking
Shared workspace offers solutions to many of the challenges often faced by tech startups and founders like:
- Limited budget
- Fluctuating team size and rapid growth
- The need to create company culture
- The need to secure technically savvy advisors
- Access to networking and community of tech peers
In recent years, a variety of coworking spaces have popped up to mitigate these challenges; providing affordable work options, hassle-free maintenance, and abundant networking opportunities. However, the question remains: What is the best coworking space specifically for tech startup founders?
For the remainder of this article, we will introduce you to five coworking spaces that all provide solid launchpads for tech-focused entrepreneurs and startups.
The 5 Best Coworking Spaces in San Francisco for Tech Founders
1. SOMAcentral
SOMAcentral is a full-service coworking space, supporting both young and experienced startups. The space has a reputation for providing startups with all of the essentials needed to take companies from inception to fruition.
The organization's three Bay Area locations provide everything you would expect from a coworking facility: Open work areas for collaboration, a full network of innovative entrepreneurs and done-for-you amenities (i.e. office clean-up, tech support and complimentary beverages) that allow coworkers to focus on what matters most
A quick glance at some of the reviews, and you will find no shortage of individuals raving about SOMAcentral's tight-knit community.
Positive reviews of SOMAcentral mention:
- Approachable atmosphere — not "trendy and pretentious" like some coworking spaces
- Abundant bookable meetings rooms and phone booths
- Helpful and responsive management staff
Desk Options
- Open Space
- Dedicated Desk
- Private Office
Amenities
- 24/7 access
- Professional security
- Pet friendly
- Filtered water
- Mailbox
- Private shower room
- Standing desks
- Communal kitchen with coffee
- Secure bike parking with repair station
- Meeting rooms, which can accommodate 5+
- One-on-one meeting rooms for phone calls
- Printer, scanner, and copier
- High-speed internet options
Bonuses
- Membership includes access to all of SOMAcentral's three locations.
- Several restaurants are conveniently located on the bottom floor of the Mission location.
- Two large event spaces, totaling 9,000 square feet, are available for personal use.
Notable Alums
- Square
- 99designs
- Mashable
Location(s)
1. Broadway
2201 Broadway, Suite 403
Oakland, CA 94612
2. Mission Street
560 Mission Street, 13th floor
San Francisco, CA 94105
3. Townsend Street
450 Townsend Street
San Francisco, CA 9410
Building a tech startup in Silicon Valley? Get The Silicon Valley Startup Guide to find out more about the best meetups, networking events, coworking spaces, and more.
2. RocketSpace
RocketSpace is more than a coworking facility; it's a technology campus located in the heart of San Francisco. Built to foster a serious tech community, RocketSpace almost exclusively admits Seed to Series C funded tech startups with minimum viable products.
In addition to providing members with a comfortable and productive work environment, RocketSpace aims to facilitate something pretty unique: An ecosystem of resources that fast track startups toward success. RocketSpace members have access to its corporate client roster through its corporate innovation platform. Additionally, the tech campus attracts industry leaders, VCs, and hosts regular networking events exclusively for members.
Put simply, we want to see our startups succeed! Our mission is to do whatever we can to make that happen. Since opening our doors in 2011, we have seen 18 “unicorns” raise more than $21 billion in funding (as of June 2017). Ask any of our members what they appreciate most about RocketSpace, and they will probably comment on the relationships they have developed with talented peers, partners, and mentors.
Positive reviews of RocketSpace mention:
- Choosing RocketSpace because of its track record accelerating notable companies like Uber, Spotify, and Weebly.
- Introductions to corporate executives from companies like PWC, IBM, and State Farm.
- A success story of doubling the size of a company in 18 months, thanks to hassle-free work options.
Besides the curated community, what really separates RocketSpace from other coworking spaces are the corporate innovation programs. These programs have been uniquely designed to facilitate fast growth for startups. Scroll down to the "Bonuses" section to learn more.
Desk Options:
- Open Space
- Dedicated Desk
- Private Office
Amenities
- Up to 4Gbps WiFi speeds
- Communal kitchen with coffee, tea, snacks on every floor
- Meeting rooms of varying sizes
- Free printer, scanner usage
- Use of RocketSpace address for company website
- 24/7 Access (for dedicated desk and private office members)
- Building security guard/key card access/video surveillance
- Flexible start dates — start any day of the month
- Mail distribution and packages held
- Private 2 - 12 person office space available for teams (mix and match desk/office options to accommodate teams of 60+ people)
Bonus
- Industry-focused Accelerator Programs: Designed for later stage startups who are looking to validate their products through pilot testing and grow their business with industry leading corporations.
Notable Alums
- Uber
- Spotify
- HootSuite
Past Events
- The Art of Building Billion Dollar Startups
- 7 Secrets to Selling + Closing Customers and Investors
- Running Pilots With Large Corporations
Location(s)
1. San Francisco
180 Sansome St
San Francisco, CA 94104
2. London
40 Islington High St.
London N1 8XB, UK
3. Melbourne, Australia
Coming Soon
4. Calgary, Canada
Coming Soon
5. China
Coming Soon
3. PARISOMA
PARISOMA is an open incubator that combines coworking, education, and events in the heart of downtown San Francisco. Its mission is to "cultivate an experimental environment where ideas meet execution." Over the past six years, PARISOMA has supported more than 500 entrepreneurs from more than 20 different countries in turning their visions into realities.
Currently home to approximately 150 members, the coworking space is committed to helping their entrepreneurs "constantly discover and test new skills to stay on top of their game." PARISOMA hosts ten community events each month and a variety of classes each week. Members seem to love the organization's relaxed, yet productive work atmosphere.
Positive reviews of PARISOMA mention its:
- Ample natural light that brightens its large, open space
- Fun member perks, including Free Breakfast Fridays and impromptu happy hours
- Low-cost, yet high-quality classes led by VCs, law firms, and successful founders
PARISOMA often hosts successful events. TEDxSoMa, an event licensed from TED Conferences LLC, has been held at the organization five times since June 2008. If you're a tech founder who prioritizes both a continuing education and a strong international community, PARISOMA might be a good fit.
Desk Options
- Open Space — $325 /month
- Dedicated Desk — $525/month
- Private Office — $1,500-$7,000 /month
Amenities
- 24/7 access
- Professional security
- Pet friendly
- Filtered water
- Communal kitchen with coffee
- Meeting rooms of varying sizes
- Printer, scanner, and copier
- High-speed WiFI
- Bike Rack
- Mailbox
Bonuses
- A TechShop SF membership that provides all the benefits of regular membership plus unlimited access to $1 million dollars worth of machines, tools, and sophisticated 2D and 3D design software at the TechShop SF facilities.
- TARMAC: A special program to help international coworkers navigate the legal, logistical, and cultural challenges of launching in San Francisco.
Notable Alums
- AwayFind
- Brightcove
- OKCupid
Past Events
- The Future of RetailCheck: Learn about free lanes, deep learning algorithms, and drone deliveries.
- Fintech, InsurTech & SecurityHi Future Rebels: Learn more about these hot trends.
- The Refiners Fleet#2, Pitch Night: Watch 13 startups take the stage.
Location
169 11th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
4. NextSpace
Since NextSpace's inception in 2008, they have grown from one location, in an old bank building in Santa Cruz, to seven locations in California, plus one in Chicago. Above all else, the organization is known for its strong sense of community. Not just limited to tech startups, the organization's alumni roster boasts a diverse array of entrepreneurs, freelancers, and techies. Here you will find a melting pot of members representing the startup scene, B2B services, digital advertising, technology, and engineering.
Being one of the first coworking spaces to open its doors, NextSpace has a strong sense of mission. As stated on the organization's website: "We’re not here because some investors thought coworking was a great business. We're here because we realized long ago that everyone works better when we work together. We designed a business from the ground up to enable exactly that."
Members routinely describe the space as welcoming, supportive and collaborative. Positive reviews of NextSpace mention its:
- Cool aesthetic details, including a restaurant spinner to help you select what's for lunch
- Glass walls that create a collaborative, open work environment
- Friendly and helpful staff
Their open desk, or Cafe Membership, provides the mix of tables, desks, comfy couches and phone booths you would expect from a modern coworking facility. If you're a tech founder desiring a more industry diverse community (i.e. not all tech startups), NextSpace might be the perfect fit. Here are the specs:
Desk Options
- Virtual Community — $60/month (3-day passes per month, plus access to member portal and discounted conference room bookings)
- Virtual Office — $90/month (Mailbox plus forwarding, scanning and shredding, 3-day passes, 1 hour of conference room time per month)
- Open Space — $375/month
- Dedicated Desk — $475/month
- Private Office — $1,300/month
Amenities
- 24/7 Access
- Filtered water
- Communal kitchen with coffee and tea
- Meeting rooms of varying sizes
- Free printer and scanner usage
- Print 200 pages a month
- High-speed WiFi
- Mailbox
Bonuses
- Special Member Discounts, including: Amazon Web Services Activate credits, a free Zipcar Membership, discounted membership with Founders Card, 30 percent off membership at FlexJobs, 20 percent off Proofreading Services, 10 percent off Palace Business Solutions and 10 percent off at Blix Electric Bikes.
Location(s)
1. SOMA
28 2nd St. 3rd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105
2. Union Square
One Hallidie Plaza
San Francisco, CA 94102
3. Berkely
2081 Center St.
Berkeley, CA 94704p
4. San Jose
97 S. 2nd St.
San Jose, CA 95113
5. Santa Cruz
101 Cooper St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
5. Hatch Today
Since opening during the summer of 2011, Hatch Today (formerly The Hatchery) has grown to host more than 150 tenant companies. Here you will find a little bit of every creative and tech industry represented, including tech founders, winemakers, designers, and writers.
According to Hatch's website, some of these companies are bootstrapped, while others have raised tens of millions of dollars in venture financing. The coworking organization provides two Bay Area locations, one on Harrison St. and one on Broadway. Both locales feature elegant furnishings, sophisticated technology, and dynamic communities.
Positive reviews of Hatch Today mention:
- Sunny, open workspaces that provide the right balance of buzz and quiet
- Regular happy hours that facilitate excellent networking opportunities
- Abundance of tech startups working side by side
Though not specifically marketed to tech companies, Hatch has managed to attract a large number of them. The organization boasts some of the most affordable prices in the Bay Area in exchange for high-caliber coworking. If you are a tech founder wanting to maintain a strict budget, without sacrificing amenities, Hatch Today could be right for you.
Desk Options
- Open Seating — $100-$120/month
- Dedicated Desks — $250/month (with 24/7 access)
- Private Offices — $500-600/month
Amenities
- 24/7 Access (available to certain membership options only)
- Phone Booths
- Communal kitchen with coffee and tea
- Unlimited conference room booking
- Free printer and scanner usage
- Private lockers
- WiFi
- Mailbox
Bonuses
- Bourbon & Branch concocts their cocktails during monthly happy hours.
- Routinely provides "office hours" with prestigious venture capitalists and startup lawyers.
- Known to hosts culinary "pop-ups" in the kitchen and book signings by legendary political figures.
Location
1. Harrison St.
645 Harrison Street, Suite #200
San Francisco, CA 94107
2. Broadway
100 Broadway
San Francisco, CA 94111
Find Your Best Location
As you can see, San Francisco offers no shortage of coworking options for tech startup founders. From the tech-centric to the creatively mixed, there is something for nearly every budget, niche, and need.
The good news? Most facilities offer free day passes, so you can:
- Try the coworking spaces that pique your interest
- Compare your experiences
- Find your best work location
RocketSpace is a tech-focused campus, exclusively admitting Seed to Series C funded startups with MVPs. We carefully select focused tech startups with the intention of creating an exceptional talent pool of founders and tech entrepreneurs. If that sounds like the right environment for you, we would love to meet you.
Come see if RocketSpace is Right for Your Tech Startup with a Free Day Pass.
