Denver Coworking Week: What it is and Why You Want In

by Nicole Relyea on 05/06/2013

Today kicks off the first-ever Denver Coworking Week. The brainchild of Creative Density's Craig Baute and Greenspaces' Jennie Nevin, the goal of Denver Coworking Week is to introduce more people to the concept of coworking, and to bring the local coworking community together through free coworking days, tours, workshops, and social events. 

"Denver Coworking Week got started as a way to build awareness of coworking under one voice. We realized that, as coworking spaces, our greatest competition isn't one another, but the general lack of awareness about coworking," says Baute, pictured in front of Creative Density's space below (Photo courtesy Chris Kissner of ProCntr) "We also want to know where people want future coworking communities so we can keep creating spaces for our members with their input along the way. We think of Denver Coworking Week as the start of the conversation with new members that might not be right in our current neighborhoods."

Each of Denver's coworking spaces has a unique personality and draws a different kind of crowd. By opening up the spaces this week, freelancers, remote workers, and startups have the opportunity to experience each space and find out which one is right for them. 

"There are so many benefits to coworking," says Nevin. "Working from home can be lonely, coworking allows you to make friends. For anyone who’s working from home or a coffee shop – this is a great chance to try out working at different spaces, see what it’s all about, try out the cuture and the people. Go to the events to meet the community that’s part of the different spaces. See what it’s like to work at a coworking space. " 

Highlighted events this week include the launch of Galaxy Unite, a service to help coworkers throughout the US find freelance gigs that best match their skills.

On Wednesday, Greenspaces will be hosting this month's edition of The Forum: Stories that Create, at which several companies from Galvanize (including Built In Denver) will be speaking. 

The Desk will be hosting a Small Business and Coworking Roundtable on programs that help small businesses succeed with local, state, and national government panelists. The week wraps up with a kickball tournament on Friday. 

Here's the full passport for this week's events: 

For more information, visit: http://www.denvercoworks.org/denver-coworking-week/

Green Coworking: How Ecofriendly Coworking Spaces Can Look

ARTICLE BY LAILA COLA WEEKS

Keeping it Green on all Levels

Marissa Feinberg and Jennie Nevin are the co-founders of Green Spaces. Feinberg works in the Manhattan location and Nevin is based in Denver. Green Spaces opened in Brooklyn, NY, in 2008 and was conceived as a coworking space for the green community. In 2009 they moved out of their old space and into the current locations. In the beginning, Green Spaces called itself a “Workspace for Green Entrepreneurs,” and it was this self-description that led to a lot of environmentally friendly focused startups to call Green Spaces their home base.

Green Spaces New York is based in Tribeca in Manhattan. Feinberg told Deskmag that the companies working out this particular space typically fall into one of three categories: environmental, non-profit, and social entrepreneur. In the environmental category, cleantech companies like Highview Creations, which builds vertical gardens, IPP Solar, and the Center for Health, Environment, and Justice all work out of Green Spaces New York. But accommodating these environmental companies is only the first step towards environmental friendliness that the coworking space exemplifies.

The next step is creating strong relationships with environmentally friendly businesses that exist independently from Green Spaces. For example, if a member is looking for catering, Feinberg will refer them to a local, organic service. Or if someone is looking for printing, she can refer them to a green printer. These are all businesses with which Feinberg has developed relationships via events held at Green Spaces. She wants to “encourage [a] local economy of businesses sending business to one another … that’s how we all grow stronger together.”

Thirdly, Feinberg spoke of the inherent eco-friendliness found in the coworking model. “We have designed a whole system around a sharing economy,” she said. Consider Feinberg’s paper cutter example: “100 companies would have 100 paper cutters. At Green Spaces, 100 companies have one paper cutter. That makes so much more sense in terms of using resources wisely. We don’t need another 100 paper cutters out there.” She says that coworking intrinsically possesses, “sustainable values of sharing … not just sharing all the tangible resources like the real estate and the electric bills, but also sharing ideas and caring about one another and [working] in a collaborative spirit.”

The Denver Green Spaces is located in River North, an up and coming area next to the downtown area. It is also home to many green startups, including several green architects, an advocacy group focused on climate change, and GreenLeaf. The events at the Denver space are primarily focused on being environmentally conscious. And while not all of the startups working out of the space are green per se, all new members fill out a green mission statement as a part of their new member orientation.

And the coworking space itself also practices what it preaches. Green Spaces is 100% solar powered, owning one of the largest arrays of solar panels in downtown Denver. Nevin also says that they use some innovative green technology like light tubes. When remodeling their building, they used all reclaimed materials, including barn wood and recycled granite. They also source their materials consciously and do composting and recycling.

Not only are the people inside of these coworking spaces creating a more eco-friendly world with their companies, but the physical space is also purporting those same ideals all the while, and so allowing environmental sustainability to be integrated into all facets of the operation.

Leeap Project - NYC - The True Hustler

New York (or ‘Silicon Alley’ as it’s known within the startup community) breeds a special kind of entrepreneur – the true hustler. The level of competition here is staggering, however there is such a dense and supportive community to help give you a real fighting chance – watch out Palo Alto! But be warned, the cost of living here is extreme so prepare to familarise yourself with Ramen Noodles, fast.

The startup community in NYC is growing at astronomical rates with groups like Tech Meetup’s 28,000 members regularly gathering in swarms of 800+ every month. Every vertical you can image has a thriving community, even the most ‘niece’ industry or sector will have a meetup or gathering organisation of some form. From distributed information systems, to secondhand clothing, to nanotechnology – whatever the industry, you’ll find a group of people in NYC who share you passion. Being immersed in a highly dense environment by driven and like-mined people is what makes the allure and opportunity of New York so appealing.

Considering that Manhattan accounts for almost 10% of national GDP, it’s not hard to understand that capital and personal wealth is in abundance here. Venture capital firms in most cases are looking for strong business models as well as other partnering firms that would be able to add value to a potential round of capital raising.

One of the most first criteria that a VC will grade a potential deal on is how the opportunity got in front of them in the first place. As Andrew Mitchell (Managing Partner at ZIG Capital) told me – “How did this deal get on my desk?” Although cold calling/emailing can *sometimes* work, how the VC game is played in NYC is all about connections – so if you’re willing to take the plunge, prepare to build a network and take the time to understand the community (and investors) before reaching out for money.

A rising trend towards promoting and fostering more socially impactful, clean tech and non-profit startups is especially abundant in a place like NYC and has driven the creation of dedicated co-working spaces like Green Spaces as “playgrounds” for innovation and socially conscious entrepreneurs wanting to make a difference. Very impressed with this space, and those inside of it!

The popularity of co-working spaces over the last 2 years has grown exponentially around the world, however no single entity has arguably been as successful than NYC-born General Assembly. In under 3 years Adam Pritzker, Matthew O.Brimer and Brad Hargreaves have expanded GA campus’ and educational services across the nation and recently opened up offices internationally. If you decide that NYC is in your sights, make sure GA is one of the first places you land.

There is an indescribable buzz and energy about the city that’s completely intoxicating and infectious. Although you’re a tiny fish in a seemingly endless ocean, the osmosis effect of the city pushes your harder, makes you work smarter, and places you in an environment where you have the capacity to truly excel on the world stage.

If you can make it here, everyone will pay attention.

Purpose: Driving the New Economy

Financial crises, climate crises, and the growing iniquity of our market-dominated society have prompted a range of startups to ask what a New Economy might look like — and to start building it today.

James Slezak (Purpose Partner and New Economy Practice Founder) joins Aparna Mukherjee (Social Media Editor for a major consulting firm, formerly of The New York Times, Bloomberg), Marissa Feinberg (Green Spaces NYC Co-Founder) and Erica Berger (Storyful, formerly of The Economist) for a panel discussion and debate on what trends and movements are best poised to disrupt unsustainable and unjust economic models.

How can online strategies accelerate the movement towards sharing, co-production, renewable energy, and greater democratic influence on the economy? What’s working and what’s not? What role can big established organizations play, and where are the spaces for new social enterprises? Engage with our panel of experts on these questions and many more.

The 17 Coolest Co-Working Spaces In America

Melissa Stanger | Jan. 8, 2013, 11:01 AM |

Gourmet cafeterias, discounted gym memberships and expensive artwork used to be luxuries afforded only by big corporate offices.

Entrepreneurs can now get the same or better amenities from a co-working space. These communal offices are an affordable solution to a private office, and offer perks that working in a solo office doesn't.

We've come up with a list of some of the coolest co-working spaces in America, from coast to coast.

Green Spaces

Google Earth

Location: Denver, Colo. and New York, N.Y.

Membership: Starts at $100/month

Green Spaces is one of the most popular co-working spaces for sustainable, green-related startups. The spaces in Denver and New York call themselves "hubs for good," and each offers a stimulating environment for "values-based companies."

Green Spaces offers some startups access to their coveted accelerator program, where entrepreneurs can talk to mentors, get peer-to-peer feedback, and other small business resources.

Members can also attend weekly networking events and fundraisers, and receive referrals for a variety of services from bookkeeping to marketing to help them run successful startups.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/the-17-coolest-coworking-spaces-in-america-2012-12?op=1#ixzz2Hi2O7C8b

Another day: another desk: GigaOM tests out New York's coworking spaces

Coworking spaces have become popular among startups, and they’re popping up all over the city. Our intrepid reporter spent much of the past month camping out at various coworking spaces in New York to see what the fuss is all about.

Green Spaces

The backstory: Co-founders Marissa Feinberg and Jennie Nevin opened Green Spaces to give entrepreneurs interested in social impact a home base. It opened in downtown Manhattan in 2009, after two years in Brooklyn. Green Spaces, which has a sister location in Denver, offers access to a nationwide network of social innovators and hosts regular networking and educational events for members.

What we liked: Between the recycling bins in the kitchen and the wooden pallet desk dividers, green-leaning entrepreneurs will feel right at home. And, even if you’re not especially eco-minded, it’s hard not be to charmed by the exposed brick walls and the reclaimed furniture. Members get access to special rates with a legal team and other local discounts. Green Space’s weekly “idea bounce” lunches provide an opportunity to get feedback from peers (and try some free dumplings from nearby Chinatown)...

The people: Members are either into sustainability, work at nonprofits or are entrepreneurs who just want to be in a values-driven space — from health startup My Coupon Doc to live-streaming performing arts startup VirtualArts.tv. Alums include GOOD (formerly the magazine, now the online community for social action) and staff of design firm IDEO.

Thanks for including us, Ki Mae! Click here for the full story about us and our peers.

Green Spaces: Coworking for eco-preneurs

Striking out on your own?

Not only can starting your own green business be intimidating, it can get pricey. Why not save some money and network with other eco-minded entrepreneurs by coworking?

Co-working spaces are, by virtue, pretty a pretty sustainable way of growing your startup. Instead of renting a storefront or an office, coworking spaces take preexisting real estate and makes it suitable for real, honest to goodness business building.

Amenities typically include Wi-Fi, conference rooms, printing facilities, and most critically, coffee. The best part is that they create an atmosphere wherein you can connect fellow entrepreneurs and even collaborate, if the stars align.

During my research for the article,  ”The Frugal Entrepreneur’s Starter Kit“ at Small BusinessComputing, I came across Green Spaces, a swank looking place to get going on your green startup in NYC and Denver.

…For instance, Green Spaces in New York City offers eco-minded entrepreneurs a day pass that costs $35 or full, seven-day access for as little as $295 month. Good luck finding even a sliver of office space for that amount in Manhattan... a great way to network without all the forced, well networking, of industry meet-and-greets. Give it a shot and hit up your local co-working space for many of the perks of having an office without all that overhead.

Image credit: Green Spaces

Tilt: Fall Twenty Twelve

Saturday, Sep 29 12:00p

at Green Spaces, New York, NY

Age Suitability: None Specified

TAGS: social, meetings

what is tilt? 
tilt is a cross between a startup accelerator and brainstorming competition. it simulates startup life in a single afternoon. 
the event is comprised of challengers from various creative endeavors within the internet industry - just like you (developers, designers, UX, marketers and strategists). 
competitors are put them into teams that balances their skill sets. we give you a theme, establish rounds and present various challenges. you create and pitch.

click here for tickets.

Coworking in New York: Green Spaces

By Katherine Tracey | September 1, 2012 at 1:02 am | No comments | Ideas, sep 2012 - coworking | Tags: coworking, environment, green living

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The Big Apple is home to an increasingly influential movement in workspace design – coworking. Here is one of four places we’re featuring as examples of atypical office spaces that offer big opportunities for non-traditional workers.

Founders: Jennie Nevin and Marissa Feinberg

Jennie and I once co-created a networking group for leaders in sustainability together called Green Leaders Global. It consisted of more than 1,000 leaders across every industry: media, retail, design, education, real estate, health, technology, politics, science and more. When we gathered for intimate events, incredible collaborations sparked.

From it, we thought, “Imagine what would happen if we worked from the same space every day!”

Green Spaces

So that’s how Green Spaces started, and we designed it for collaboration.

The environment is totally open, except for two conference rooms. Therefore, people organically engage with one another, as opposed to separate offices. We also share everything: kitchen, printer, lounge, mailbox, conference rooms, wifi, networking resources, and more.

We’re a great example of the hot, collaborative consumption movement. It is more efficient and economical to pool resources than to purchase them just for your own business.

Green Spaces

We exist for environmental and social entrepreneurs. The majority of our 100+ member organizations are focused on making the world better. We have companies in cleantech, sustainable food, green real estate, good wood, nonprofit, eco fashion, and more.

Our design is as environmental as possible, with furniture that has all been recycled and repurposed, as well as vendors that are conscious. From our fair-trade coffee to our printer with inks made of food, we have mother Earth in mind.

Green Spaces

We also have a Community Manager, Eva Navon. She has played a great role in making sure everyone is happy, and that has been crucial to our success. She also gets to know our members so when they join an office that is shared by others they feel welcome and can instantly have a new friend. Comfort is key. Therefore, a seamless infrastructure and inviting team are crucial.

Green Spaces

Since working at Green Spaces is working in a physical network, our members are very savvy and influential people. They are constantly circulating with new startup companies and up on the latest industry trends, and they are on the pulse of social networks and have strong followings.

Our members are also community minded. To share, people need to be considerate of others and open to caring about the people and world around them.

Founder – Marissa Feinberg

GREEN SPACES NEW YORK (TriBeCa)

394 Broadway, 5th floor

New York, NY

 

GREEN SPACES COLORADO

1368 26th Street

Denver, CO

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Katherine Tracey is Workspace Design Magazine's marketing and advertising director. She is intrigued by the combination of design & business in the A/E/C industry. When she is not working on the magazine you can find her out sailing on the bay, skiing down a snowy slope or exploring new places.

NY Is Co-Working Mecca

With more professionals today working as collaborators or freelancers, NY has become the co-working capital of the world. Companies such as New Work City, Green Spaces, or Bitmap Creative Labs are making “rent-a-desk” locations a profitable business. According to Crains New York, these businesses provide a place to work and the opportunity to share ideas, expertise or gossip with fellow freelancers and startups.

Currently the bulk of revenue for most co-working sites come from membership fees, usually tiered and allowing different levels of access. This could mean the number of days or desks available to an individual or company, or desk-free memberships that allow people to participate in workshops or other community activities. Additional profits come from hosting frequent events for members and nonmembers, film screenings, discussions, or classes.

Crains