KC coworking studios align to create cohesion, understanding

A cadre of Kansas City coworking studio leaders are working together to bring awareness to their trade through a new alliance.

Twelve organizations thus far have banded together to collectively raise their profiles to attract more businesses, entrepreneurs and individuals to use the array of coworking studios in Kansas City.

“Coworking is really starting to grow in Kansas City,” said Melissa Saubers, chairwoman of the KC Coworking Alliance. “Our number one goal is awareness of what coworking is, what the benefits are to a coworker and what types of shared spaces are available.”

In addition to creating awareness, Saubers said that the alliance hopes to create a cooperative network between the studios to better serve independent workers. That collaborative approach will allow the group to share best practices, as well as create a “passport” system offering coworkers entry into each member’s space

“It’s about being cooperative, not competitive,” she said. “It’s really all about the shared economy and being able to offer services for people no matter what situation they’re in.”

Saubers said that the group currently is working to create a website to aggregate information on member spaces and what each has to offer.

Thus far, the alliance consists of:

• Cowork Waldo in Waldo
• Ennovation Center in Independence, Mo.
• KCK Community College’s Innovation Center in Kansas City, Kan.
• Village Square in Kansas City, Kan.
• Think Big Partners in Kansas City
• Innovation Café in Kansas City
• Plexpod in Lenexa
• Blue Valley CAPS in Overland Park
• InterUrban ArtHouse in Overland Park
• OfficePort in the Crossroads
• Iwerx Incubator in North Kansas City
• Small Biz Docs in Grandview