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
Lenexa studio joins national coworking relief effort for Nepal
Despite the nearly 8,000 miles between them, a Kansas City-area coworking studio is helping with relief efforts in Nepal after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake destroyed hundreds of buildings and claimed thousands of lives. Lenexa-based Plexpod has joined the international “Coworking for Nepal” movement that has attracted dozens of studios to encourage fundraising for Nepal relief…
KC’s first innovation officer reflects on work, city’s tech future
After more than two years of service, Ashley Hand is leaving the driver’s seat of Kansas City’s innovation efforts. Hand, who soon will be departing as Kansas City’s chief innovation officer, was tasked with implementing innovative strategies to improve how city government can better serve Kansas Citians. The city will be accepting applications for the…
Welcome to Startland News
Scrappy. Determined. Gritty. Those often were the words attributed to the Kansas City Royals as the team unexpectedly surged into the 2014 World Series and captured the national spotlight. Those very words are apt for this city, which has been built on the grit and determination of successful entrepreneurs like Ewing Kauffman, Joyce Hall, Henry…
Kansas budget woes render uncertainty for angel tax credits
As state budgetary concerns loom in the background, early-stage firms in Kansas are hoping a bill to extend the Sunflower State’s Angel Investor Tax Credit program will become a priority for legislators. Scheduled to sunset after the 2016 fiscal year, the program annually allocates $6 million in credits to entice investments in early-stage, growth-oriented companies…