Co-working – sharing a workspace with others – has become a popularalternative for startups to renting a private office. Not only does co-working help keep overhead low by avoiding the costs associated with renting and equipping an office, it also provides a place for entrepreneurs to work in close proximity to other entrepreneurs. This can combat both the isolation and the lack of expertise that some startups face.
Co-working facilities typically offer a workspace and Wi-Fi, with some offering more private offices and others offering more a communal workspace. Prices for co-working facilities vary, depending on the location and the length of the rental (per day or per month).
The Under30CEO blog recently listed 53 co-working centers around the U.S., based on their list of the Top 10 Cities for Young Entrepreneurs. Their list includes co-working sites in New York, Boston, Seattle, Portland, Chicago, Austin, San Francisco, Atlanta, Phoenix, and Orlando. Commenters on the blog chimed in with their recommendations for other cities, including Washington DC, Oklahoma City, and Rochester, New York.
Their list includes:
New York City: Sunshine Suites, 3rdward, New Work City
Boston: Betahouse, Geek Offices
Chicago: COOP, Ravenswood Coworking Group
Austin: Conjunctured, Texas Coworking
Seattle: Metrix Create Space, ThinkSpace
The Coworking Community Blog is another resource to help locate co-working sites in your area. If your city doesn’t have a formal co-working facility, Jelly offers a way to organize informal working events. Jelly’s casual work sessions are held around the world in coffee shops, homes and offices.
Of course, Starbucks announced today that it would be offering free Wi-Fi in its stories beginning July 1, making it a bit easier for those of us who simply work out of coffee shops.
