Some of the most successful companies that have started off in coworking spaces include the likes of Uber, Spotify, and Instagram.
One thing you’ll probably notice in our complete list is many of these companies are now publicly traded with multi-billion dollar valuations. Some sold out to larger companies for massive profits.
These companies are a testament to what you can do when you combine the will to succeed, a little technology, and a lot of hard work into a business. They gave it their all from coworking spaces which gave them the tools they needed to be successful.
Companies Born from Coworking Spaces
If you own or operate a coworking space, you probably see startups come and go. But these companies have a special place in the hearts of those who watched them rise from nothing and achieve greatness.
1. Uber: The Ride-Sharing Giant
Uber is a transportation network company that creates opportunities for drivers and riders to connect with each other. Founded in 2009, Uber has gone on to become one of the most successful companies in the world. The company is currently valued at $57 billion and operates in over 70 countries.
How did they start out?
Uber started in San Francisco, USA. However, its owners knew that if they wanted to scale up their operations quickly, they would need the right tools and resources. This was when they decided to set up shop in a coworking space.
At this co-working space, they could access high-speed internet connections and a wide range of other essential resources for a growing business. It enabled them to develop their product and expand into new markets quickly.
2. Spotify: Music for Everyone
Spotify is a digital music and podcast streaming service that allows users to listen to millions of songs and podcasts for free. Founded in 2006, Spotify has become the most popular streaming service in the world, with nearly half a billion users.
How did they start out?
The founders of Spotify started their journey at a coworking space in Stockholm, Sweden.
The use of the coworking space allowed them to focus on developing their product without worrying about mundane tasks such as finding office space or furniture. Thanks to these services, they could quickly build their product and begin launching internationally in 2010.
3. Indiegogo: Crowdfunding Pioneers
Indiegogo is a crowdfunding platform that enables people to raise money for creative projects. Founded in 2008, the company has gone on to become one of the most popular crowdfunding platforms in the world.
How did they start out?
The founders of Indiegogo started their journey at a coworking space in San Francisco. The three founders all had experience in the world of funding for projects that wouldn’t, or couldn’t, be a viable choice for traditional investors.
Using Indiegogo, users are given gifts to incentivize funding instead of equity. One of the most notable projects to date is Super Troopers 2, which gathered $4.5 million to help create the beloved sequel.
4. Instagram: A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words…And a Billion Dollars
When Instagram was founded in 2010, no one could have predicted its meteoric rise to become one of the world’s most popular social media sites. Founded by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, the free photo-sharing platform allowed users to quickly and easily share content with their friends and family all over the world.
Over the years, the company increasingly added features such as videos and live-streaming capabilities that further cemented its role as a top application. Facebook eventually bought the company for $1 billion.
How did they start out?
The founders of Instagram began their journey at a coworking space in San Francisco. Apparently, that’s where you start a company if you want it to be successful.
The original idea for the app that would become Instagram was good enough to raise half a million dollars in seed funding. But after acquiring millions of users in its first year, it was able to raise substantially more just one year after it launched.
5. Ofo: The Uber of Bikes
Ofo was a Chinese bike-sharing company that allowed users to rent bicycles for short periods of time. Founded in 2014, the company quickly grew and became one of the largest bike-sharing companies in China before eventually going out of business in 2020.
How did they start out?
Founded in Beijing, China in 2014, Ofo was originally an online public bike search system. During its first two years of operation, Ofo allowed its users to find available shared bicycles in various locations around Beijing.
The company then grew internationally, expanding across Southeast Asia and eventually launching in the UK. They made history by becoming the world’s first ‘dockless’ bike-sharing platform, allowing users to unlock a bike with a smartphone app rather than requiring them to deposit or pick up bikes from specific docking stations.
6. Wanderfly: Making the World Everyone’s Oyster
Wanderfly was an innovative platform that provided explorers with personalized recommendations for their next great adventure. Through a cutting-edge search engine, Wanderfly was able to help plan perfect vacations, dream getaways, or weekend outings by taking into account users’ personal tastes and preferences.
Unlike other travel sites, Wanderfly used a combination of human expertise and data to offer an experience that was tailored to the individual. The founders sold the company to TripAdvisor a few years later.
How did they start out?
Founded in 2008, it started out as a single individual using his passion and expertise in urban exploration to provide travelers with intimate knowledge of the best places to visit.
This grew into a team of professionals who continued to help people discover personal travel experiences through their unique itineraries.
7. ZipRecruiter: The Perfect Job
ZipRecruiter is a comprehensive online job recruitment platform providing businesses with access to a vast network of talented candidates worldwide. Organizations utilizing ZipRecruiter can post and promote open positions, review applications and resumes from interested job seekers, and even arrange interviews with the best-qualified applicants.
Thanks to its easy-to-use platform and search engine algorithms, employers can be assured that their ideal candidate will be found quickly. It helps businesses save time and resources when hiring new team members.
How did they start out?
ZipRecruiter began its journey in 2010 with a simple but powerful concept: make hiring efficient, fast, and effective. Founded by two experienced startup executives, Ian Siegel and Chris Hyams, ZipRecruiter quickly found traction just a few months after launch.
The founders recognized a need for an easy-to-use tool that would allow employers to access thousands of applicants all at once and efficiently narrow the search for the right fit for the job.
Over the years, the company has evolved from helping small businesses connect with top talent to serving Fortune 1000 companies through industry-leading technology and services. Today, ZipRecruiter is one of the world’s most popular job platforms, with over 25 million registered.
8. Charity:Water: Helping People Find Clean Water
Charity:Water is an organization with a unique mission – to bring clean and safe drinking water to every person in the world. Despite its simple goal, Charity Water stands out in its commitment to transparency.
Each of their projects uses 100% of public donations to directly fund clean water solutions like wells, rainwater harvesting systems, or filtration and purification systems. Every dollar is accounted for, and donors can track how the money is being spent down to each village or community helped by Charity Water.
How did they start out?
Charity: water was founded in 2006 by Scott Harrison, who wanted to bring clean and safe drinking water to people in developing countries. While working as a nightclub promoter in New York City, Harrison felt as though he had led an indulgent lifestyle and sought to turn his life around by making a positive difference in the world.
After developing his idea for charity:water, he and a small team of volunteers began raising funds for their cause, doing most of their work in coworking spaces and pounding the pavement.
How Much Will It Cost Your Startup?
Coworking spaces have become increasingly popular for entrepreneurs and small businesses looking for a cost-effective way to get their business off the ground. The average cost of coworking spaces depends on location, size, and amenities offered but typically ranges from $150 to $500 per month. Compared to paying for office space by the square foot, this relatively low monthly fee can save start-ups money on rent and utilities.
They offer networking opportunities and access to a wide range of resources that can make getting started easier. Coworking also provides an inspiring work environment that is often more conducive to creativity than working from home or in a traditional office setting.
The average cost of shared workspaces may vary depending on the needs of an individual business, but they are no doubt a great way to jumpstart any entrepreneurial endeavor.
What Are the Benefits?
Coworking spaces offer a range of benefits that can help entrepreneurs and small businesses get their projects off the ground. For starters, they provide access to a wide range of resources such as high-speed internet, printers, copiers, meeting rooms, and other office equipment.
No more trips to the library or coffee shop just to do work!
They also offer a community of like-minded individuals who can provide support and advice. Many spaces organize events, seminars, and other activities that allow members to network or further develop their skills.
Finally, many coworking spaces offer flexible leasing options with no long-term commitments, allowing entrepreneurs the freedom to scale up or down as needed.
What Does the Future Hold?
Coworking spaces will become increasingly popular as more people continue to enter the entrepreneurial arena. We expect to see total coworking space users nationwide cross the 1 million user threshold in 2022.
This growth indicates a much larger trend as technology continues to facilitate remote work and opportunities for entrepreneurs to pursue their ideas with fewer financial barriers.
Additionally, many brands are beginning to recognize the potential of coworking spaces and are starting to open their own shared workspaces for employees and customers alike. The future of coworking is bright, and as more people join this movement to make work more accessible and efficient, the possibilities seem endless.
Should I Give It a Try?
Coworking spaces can be a great option whether you’re just starting out or looking for ways to scale up your business.
They provide access to resources, networking opportunities, and flexible leasing options to help entrepreneurs of all levels get their projects off the ground.
Plus, as more brands recognize the potential of shared workspaces and open up their own, the future of coworking looks promising. So if you’re looking for a cost-effective way to get your business up and running, why not give coworking a try? The potential benefits could be well worth it.
FAQ
Who uses coworking spaces the most?
Coworking spaces are popular among entrepreneurs, freelancers, remote workers, and small businesses.
Who started the first coworking space?
Brad Neuberg founded the first coworking space in San Francisco in 2005. With so many companies on our list from Silicon Valley, it’s probably not a coincidence that the coworking space phenomenon also began there.
What are the advantages of working in a coworking space?
Working in a coworking space offers access to resources such as copiers, meeting rooms, other office equipment, supplies, and a company address. It also provides networking opportunities, flexible leasing options with no long-term commitments, and an inspiring work environment that is often more conducive to creativity than working from home or in a traditional office setting.
How do I find an appropriate coworking space for my business?
When looking for a coworking space, it’s important to consider your budget, the types of amenities you need, and the amount of flexibility you require.
Make sure to check out reviews from other members and attend an event or tour before signing up to get a better feel for the space. Once you’ve found the perfect coworking space, take advantage of all it has to offer to get the most bang for your buck.
Is it worth investing in a membership at a coworking space?
For many entrepreneurs and small business owners, investing in a membership at a coworking space can be well worth it. Coworking spaces offer access to expensive office products and services and networking opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable or too costly for entrepreneurs to pursue on their own.
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