By Tian DuBelko
That’s right, companies such as Uber, Instagram, and Timehop all began their journeys in the comforts of a shared office space, optimized just for them. And whether you’re an established business or just starting out, optimizing your office space is the first step to in your journey to success.
Finding a coworking space is as easy as Google Maps, but connecting with the right coworking space for your budget, needs, goals, and culture? Now that could prove to be a challenge.
As the concept of shared workspace becomes more mainstream, tech entrepreneurs now find themselves faced with a variety of options when it comes to choosing a workspace.
For techies out there, you need a budget-friendly workspace that will meet your needs as well as scale with your operation. To better understand the different options in the rapidly-evolving shared workspace domain, we’ve put together a guide on what you can typically expect from a shared tech workspace.
Furnished Offices
Most shared workspaces have both private and open offices to choose from. These offices come fully furnished, not just with desks and chairs, but also with the vital components that you will need every day, including projectors, conference rooms, and insanely fast internet. Amenities like coffee and snacks are a necessity as well, as you’ll want to keep your team’s morale in good shape. As team leader, you can be flexible in assigning your team’s workstations knowing that they’ll have access to the resources and tools they need to do their jobs effectively.
Community
One of the biggest benefits of working in a shared workspace is the 24/7 access to the like-minded, professional community working around you. Coworking spaces are typically informal, so it’s easy to share and to meet new people. It’s friendly, social, and collaborative. For aspiring tech entrepreneurs, being in the right ecosystem of innovators and forward-thinking companies can inspire new solutions. Also by being in the right place, you’ll get the added value of workshops, easy community access, networking opportunities, and corporate prospects.
Membership Perks
When deciding between different coworking options, you must decide what kind of a setup your business needs. That will help you decide if you should go for a bare-bones office plan or a swanky joint with on-location cafes and lounge areas. While most shared workspaces offer basic membership perks, premier coworking locations will also offer practical perks to their members. These perks include extremely fast WiFi and free printing and scanning, meaning you’ll never have to worry about diagnosing a disabled Internet or clearing paper jams.
Professional Services
Members in a shared office space generally have similar needs when it comes to services such as design, development, legal, and accounting. That’s why shared tech workspaces that can meet these member needs are in hot demand right now. To make your business success, you’ll need access to a professional network of services and a tech ecosystem filled with the people who provide growth. With all the resources your business needs in one spot, you can expect to spend less time trying to find the right service and more time working on your company.
Networking
A huge benefit of a coworking space is that networking happens organically because of the close proximity. For businesses and entrepreneurs seeking to build connections, finding that right workspace with networking ingrained into its culture is crucial to finding more business opportunities. In the shared office space that’s right for your business, you’ll have a chance to network with job seekers and investors alike. Whether it’s at events or at the coffee station, you’ll have a better chance at meeting top tech talent and finding the right investors.
Ready to Jump Right In?
Choosing the right shared tech workspace can jumpstart your tech business and accelerate your growth. In the right ecosystem, you’ll have an easier time hiring top talent, expanding your network, and even securing the next round of funding.
Think your Seattle tech company might be a good fit for ExtraSlice’s community of trendsetters and innovators? Visit our website to learn more about The Place for Tech or schedule a tour of our tech campus.
