A startup hub like Bangalore has over the years carefully created an environment that fosters and develops innovative ideas and the spirit of entrepreneurship. A by-product of this very culture, is the sudden increase in the number of coworking spaces in the city.
Coworking is a style of work that involves a shared working environment, often an office, and independent activity. Unlike in a typical office environment, those coworking are usually not employed by the same organisation. Coworking spaces takes the best things about working in an office like dressing up for work and meeting interesting people and removes the worst, like office politics, terrible canteen food, and horrible bosses. As more young people take to entrepreneurship, freelancing and working from home, coworking is definitely here to stay. Here are some of the up and coming coworking spaces in the city.
CoWorkIndia
CoWorkIndia provides professionally managed office space for startups and freelancers. Their facilities include: electricity & back up power, internet: broadband and leased line, pantry for anytime snack or meal, office boy, furniture, white boards & notice boards, discussion rooms and a 24-hours work environment. Located around 50m from HSR Layout BDA complex, the office is around 2.5 km from Silk Board junction. "We provide all the facilities that startups require. We've created a 'plug and play' environment for these people, so all they need to is bring their laptops and they can start working," says Nanda Kishore, executive director, CoWorkIndia.
Bangalore Alpha Lab
"We don't believe in the cubicle concept at Bangalore Alpha Lab. We want people from various startups and companies to interact with each other as it helps foster an environment that promotes sharing of space as well as ideas," says Nagendra Kosur, administrator of the coworking space.
Their full member plan costs `4000 per month, and includes facilities like wi-fi connectivity, flexible seating arrangements, conference rooms, tea/coffee, cupboard/storage and scanning/printing facilities. They also have guest member plans, where companies visiting the city for a short period can rent the place for a week for `1000. And if you only need the space for a day, you will be charged `250.
Jaaga
Jaaga is a city-based community space for artists, activists and techies. Set away from the busy city at KH Road, Jaaga is the perfect space for creative gatherings and fun activities.
At an affordable price of just Rs 2500 per month, in the funky coloured booths at Jaaga, one can enjoy access to free power and internet in return for their contribution to the community, such as organising tech meets and writing blogs.
Bangalore Coworking Hub
"We don't follow the open floor format that most coworking spaces seem to adopt. We also help these startups brand themselves, develop their websites and also write blogs for them," says D Pathak, director, Bangalore Coworking Hub. Situated right behind Leela Palace, the space is easily reachable and is well-connected to other parts of the city. The monthly full membership plan costs `3800 and one can avail facilities like wi-fi, power backup, a full pantry and more.