Blog

Coworking/flexible shared desk spaces came about when tech start-ups needed a place to work and liked the idea of an open-source concept, where all could benefit. Many young, innovative minds were using these collective spaces to develop software programs and tech advancements that would propel us into the digital world we live in today, for better or for worse. Many of the apps we take for granted today were spawned in flexible, shared desk spaces. The coworking scene offered more than a place to gather with other tech types. Early on, the coworking model attracted small businesses and startups with their turnkey opportunities and so much more in the offing. Emerging companies naturally gravitated to these work co-operatives, where they could rent a desk or office space with flexible, monthly contracts in reputable neighborhoods and with everything they needed to work each day. Without the hefty cost of leasing a commercial office space, along with the costs and the major disruptions involved in setting up an office, these companies thrived on getting down to business in environments that were charged with the electricity of the creative process and collaboration. This diverse mixing of business professionals, working in the same space, sharing ideas, and building a business community, offered a place to work where networking was a major feature.

Coworking/flexible, shared desk spaces reputation

As some larger, better-known coworking spaces exploited the party atmosphere that seemed to embody coworking/flexible, shared desk spaces, others, such as CoSuite welcomed businesses that wanted to grow their companies in an upscale coworking environment with all of the amenities and benefits of a coworking model that had evolved, as their businesses had. Many established small and medium-sized businesses that started in coworking spaces, moved into private offices.

Let’s explore three well-known companies that used coworking for their advantage to thrive and succeed as start-ups.

Instagram

It’s fair to say that even if you don’t have an Instagram account, you certainly know what it is. Did you know that Instagram cofounders, two Stanford University grads, Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, persevered in a coworking space after repeated attempts to develop their app, a photo-sharing social media platform? Stripped of everything except images and the ability to like or dislike them, their app, designed for mobile devices was dubbed Instagram, as sort of an instant telegram. Introduced on the inner webs in 2010, Facebook acquired Instagram in 2012. Before its success, Systrom developed an Instagram prototype, a web app he named Burbn, inspired by his fondness for fine whiskeys and bourbon, hiring Krieger, as part of his team to market this platform. Because their app was just like other apps on the Internet, Systrom and Krieger decided to change up their platform to focus only on photo-sharing. Launched on October 6, 2010, Instagram signed up 25,000 users on the first day. Today, Instagram users amount to over 800 million across the globe, changing the way we share images online. Not too shabby for a start-up idea that sparked up in a coworking space.

Uber

The adage that “necessity is the mother of invention” never seemed truer than at the beginning of a concept that would forever change the way we get from place to place. Reportedly, “On a cold winter evening in Paris,” in December 2008, “Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp couldn’t get a ride. That’s when the idea for Uber was born.” Working with the idea, “What if you could tap your smartphone and get a ride,” in 2009, Kalanick and Camp launched their ride-sharing app, Uber, that lets people do just that. Originally called UberCab, the ride-sharing service was launched in San Francisco as a way to relieve the frustrating taxi congestion in the city. Based in a coworking space, Uber Technologies, Inc. developed into the Uber we know and love today. In 2012, UberX affected a sea change in its ride-sharing model, allowing drivers to use their own cars, making ride-sharing a lucrative job in the emerging gig economy. Although Uber has dealt with its share of controversy and growing pains, today, Uber services have diversified into an empire of multiple faceted services. In addition to ride-sharing, Uber services include food delivery (UberEats), package delivery as an extension of Amazon services, couriers, freight transportation, and, through a partnership with Lime, electric bicycle and motorized scooter rental. As one of the largest companies in the gig economy, Uber has operations in over 900 metropolitan areas, with more than an estimated 93 million users worldwide.

Spotify

Another tech startup beginning its road to massive success at a coworking space, Swedish audio streaming and media services provider, Spotify, was founded in 2006 by Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon. Spotify pioneered a legal way to download music and pay artists, even though in their journey, the streaming service has run into some rough patches because of the compensation artists receive for allowing their work to be downloaded on Spotify. Today, Spotify is incorporated in Luxembourg as Spotify Technology, S.A. With its corporate headquarters in Stockholm and offices in 17 different countries around the world, Spotify ranks as one of the world’s largest music streaming service providers, claiming over 345 million active users monthly, as of December 2020, including 155 million paying subscribers.

Companies all over the world are discovering the benefits of more flexible work environments. Coworking spaces have proven to help facilitate more enthusiasm and innovation for companies. At CoSuite, our spaces are designed with you in mind. Evolving from coworking’s era of the hipster hangout, CoSuite’s flexible shared desk space model is the business home for the next world-changing innovative start-up as well as more established companies with a preference for flexible private office suites.

With a design aesthetic that encourages creativity, connection, and interaction, CoSuite’ s spaces are enriched in comfortable, inviting spaces that do much more than provide work tools. They give members options – from lounge areas to cafés that facilitate movement and offer inspiration as well as amenities worth bragging about – indoors and out. CoSuite Brickell-Miami and CoSuite Boca Raton are ideal for growing your next big idea!