A growing number of start-ups are claiming co-working spaces to be their secret weapon, giving them a competitive edge in their quest for world domination.
For as little as $120 a week; or even less; landlords are offering start-ups their own space in a trendy inner-city shared space.
Landlords are dangling various incentives to lure bright business minds into these spaces, including access to a shared receptionist, yoga classes, IT support, social functions and even free kayaking.
Start-ups that have used these spaces claim they give their business the chance to rub shoulders with like-minded entrepreneurs, get free business advice, share vital business services and, in many cases, find some of their first clients among others sharing the space.
The largest co-working space in the country is Fishburners in Sydney. The 1000sq/m co-working space for professional tech start-ups charges $200 for up to three days per week a month; or $300 for up to seven days a week a month.
Above: Fishburners
It also offers free trials for selected start-ups and has been a launching pad for around 150 start-ups since its inception 18 months ago.
Fishburners advisor Pete Cooper says similar spaces are opening all over the country, with at least four others in his street and at least six more nationally.
“Internationally, the scene is similarly growing, but international commentators say we are growing faster in Sydney than most cities around the world,” he says.
Sydney is also home to The Refinery Studio, which opened on Sydney’s northern beaches in June.
In Melbourne, there’s Inspire9 in Richmond, which is home to a product designer, a marketer, a photographer and several writers, among others. It offers start-ups a free trial period.
Fellow Melbourne space Epic Office Share also offers open plan desks and lockable offices. It also brokers member discounts for products and services including banking, mobile phone use, IT support, computer hardware and electrical goods.
But are these spaces really giving start-ups a competitive edge? Or do the costs and distractions of working shoulder to shoulder with others also starting out in business negate any potential advantages?
More often than not, landlords are offering increasingly fancy add-ons to start-ups to move into these co-working spaces.
Not only do you get a place to bring clients, an address for business cards, website assistance and reception support, but often a host of other add-ons.
The founders of the country’s newest space – a new unnamed operation in the beachside Sydney suburb of Manly – are promising to offer kayaking and yoga to its tenants, for example.
Fishburners offers free business management software, unlimited Wi-Fi, meeting rooms, beer, pizza, online tools, discounts and monthly events covering legal, investment, pitch training, rent-a-brain events, developer skills, sports, yoga, mentoring and more.
“You never have to leave and some people don’t except to sleep,” Cooper says.
Melbourne co-working space The York Butter Factory is home to more than 50 start-ups, many with international objectives in the consumer internet and digital marketing space.
Its community manager Sam Stewart says one of its most valued add-ons is access to venture capital in a starved high risk investment landscape.
“The culture is one of collaboration, resource sharing and tough love, which ensures our younger demographic learn vital business skills rapidly.”
“Furthermore, by strategically partnering with corporates such as Microsoft, Optus and Amazon, The York Butter Factory ensures our members have all the resources required to compete on an international level,” Stewart says.
Above: Inspire9
Co-working spaces give fledgling businesses the chance to rub shoulders with others turning a serious profit, according to the director of Melbourne’s The Cluster, Kirsten Koci, who says many businesses turn over millions.
“They choose to step away from the conventional office and locate themselves and their staff in a space that ticks all the boxes, especially social.”
“The chance to mix with other people each day, instead of just their own company is what helps The Cluster attract top businesses and great start-ups and freelancers,” Koci says.
A co-working space has worked well for PR practitioner Jocelyn Hunter, who had considered signing up for an expensive office in Melbourne’s central business district a couple of years ago before moving into The Cluster.
The add-ons not only encourage socialising with those sharing the space, but also offer office support, joint marketing, meeting rooms and a bookkeeping service.
“I’ve found The Cluster invaluable for overcoming the isolation of running a business, particularly in those early days,” Hunter says.
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