KC coworking studios align to create cohesion, understanding
May 22, 2015 | Bobby Burch
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
Featured Business
2015 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
ATHENA honorees: Lifting up the next generation elevates us all; give them a reason to dream
When women lead, communities rise, Dana Foote said, lifting up two ATHENA award winners whose work in Kansas City has created outcomes more meaningful than mere professional success: “the ripple effect of leadership.” “And I see that in the room tonight,” continued Foote, national managing partner of audit operations for KPMG, sponsor of the Greater…
Photos: Folklore transformed this rooftop for one-night; its $100K impact on small biz lasts even longer
A packed rooftop event that started five years ago as a small gathering among friends has grown into a sold-out celebration that not only highlights music, food, and tradition, but also invests back into local nonprofits and entrepreneurs, said Luis Padilla, founder of Folklore and its popular small business grant program. “That balance of culture…