Linked Abroad: a coworking journey

Cowo360 in Rome, Italy

When I first walked into the big, bright Cowo360, I exchanged a few words with a friendly woman who welcomed me into the space. We quickly realized we had a bit of a communication issue… I can´t speak a lick of Italian (my vocabulary includes Ciao, Gratzi, Gelato, Spaghetti, Pizza) and she could speak English fairly well, but not enough to get into the whys and hows of coworking. She was more than willing to make it work, and suggested we use Google Translate… we managed an entire conversation through the brilliance of Google! Thank you Elisabetta for coming up with a clever way to answer my questions!

WHO: Elisabetta Frasca - partner of a graphic design and post-production studio and cofounder of Cowo360 (both with partner Stefano Borghi).

WHAT: A coworking space in Rome, Italy that caters to members of a larger coworking project in Italy, cowo, where members can move from one coworking space to another freely using a cowo membership card. The space is also open to any and all who are ready get into the coworking spirit and let the creativity and collaboration flow.

WHERE: Via Vacuna 96, 00157 Roma, Italy

http://www.coworkingroma.com

WHEN: Opened in 2012.

WHY: When asked (via google translate) why she chose to open up a coworking space, she explained that it was a mix of necessity and interest. She and her business partner needed a way to share the costs of office space, and they also wanted a creative atmosphere where they could exchange ideas with other professionals and entrepreneurs… coworking was the answer!

FAVORITES: When asked what her favorite part about the space was, she said it was the people. Not only interacting with members of Cowo360, but seeing the change in attitude and work life before and after becoming part of the coworking community. She notices a decidedly positive change.

And The Coworking Journey Begins Again

I am back from Morocco and ready to get into coworking again! Next stop Roma, Italy. Then on to Lisboa, Portugal and Barcelona, Spain.

See you in Roma!

Linktern Lydia

Mini Coworking Hiatus

First off, I just have to say a huge congratulations to Liz and Claire at Link Coworking for putting on the fabulous GCUC! I read nothing but positive press. I wish I could’ve been there, and I cannot wait until next year when I can actually attend!

Back to the coworking journey… Eastern Europe has been a blast, but between covering 15 cities in 30 days, tougher and tougher language differences (try hungarian on for size), and the lack of spaces up in the Alps and Carpathians, coworking visits have been pretty impossible. That being said, I can’t wait to get back to it! After hitting Romania, Macedonia, Albania and Morocco in the next few weeks, I’ll be heading for Spain, where I should be able to jump back into my coworking groove.

Happy coworking, and I will see you again soon!
Linktern Lydia

MESH Norway: Coworking in Oslo

I visited Oslo at just the right time! The space I found, MESH Norway, had just opened two weeks before. If it weren’t for talking to one of the founders, I definitely would not have known. The place was already buzzing with conversation, busy bee workers, and great energy.

WHO: Anders H. Mjåse - Founder of MESH Norway (also Founded by Audun Ueland)

WHAT: A coworking and event space, with special emphasis on creative space for entrepreneurs and founders. Just two weeks in, and still expanding (soon to include an accelerator, more office space, and who knows what next).

Very soon to be accelerator upstairs:

WHERE: Tordenskiolds Gate 3, Oslo, Norway
www.meshnorway.com/

WHEN: Opened February 2012

WHY: When asked why he was inspired to create a coworking space, Anders explained that, as a founder of two other companies before MESH, he had experienced life as an entrepreneur without community. He was in need of a place where people could collaborate and inspire one another to create, a place by and for entrepreneurs and creative people. Oslo didn’t offer up anything of the sort.

After seeking out community online, and visiting various types of collaborative spaces elsewhere, he decided it was about time Oslo get with the global picture. MESH was born, and in a very short time has already become the type of space Anders (and so many more like him) had been dreaming of.

FAVORITES: “I love how people react to the space… the energy that’s been created in just two weeks. They want to be here, to sit down and collaborate or get to work.”

See you in Amsterdam!
Linktern Lydia

Techloft: A Place to Start-up in Tel Aviv

The third stop on my coworking journey was also in Tel Aviv. This time, a place designed to suit the needs of start-ups. In fact, coworking is just phase one for Techloft, which has already begun growing its way into phase two, establishing a fund for seed investments in start-ups.

 

WHO: Gilad Tuffias - Founder of Techloft (also founded by Tal Marian)

WHAT: A coworking space for tech start-ups, complete with service providers like marketing, legal, and accounting, and the hook-up with VC and private investors.

WHERE: 14 Nachmani St, Tel Aviv, Israel   http://www.techloft.co.il/

WHEN: Opened in September 2011

WHY: When asked why he became interested in coworking, founder Gilad explained that he was simply acting on a global trend - people have recognized the value of a community and getting feedback, and they are seeking out that type of support.

FAVORITES: When asked what his favorite thing about the place was, Gilad described the unique atmosphere of Techloft, “it’s both fun and serious.” After encountering a room full of colorful bean bag chairs right next to several tables full of people hard at work, I’d have to agree. The space was definitely designed to get the creative juices flowing, and then to put them right to work.

I’m off to Denmark, Norway, and Sweden… see you in Europe!

Linktern Lydia

The Library Tel Aviv

The second stop on my coworking journey. Built in a former library, this place still has a studious atmosphere and a few shelves full of books. A perfect place to inspire productivity and collaboration.

WHO: Oren Kaniel - CEO & Co-Founder of AppsFlyer
Sivan Langer - musician and entrepreneur

WHAT: A city sponsored space for start-ups. The municipality of Tel Aviv decided to create this entrepreneurship and innovation space to support start-ups. Although the space is ridiculously affordable (only 200 Shekels or about 60 US Dollars per month), the application process is tough and your stay is limited to just four months.

WHERE: Shalom Tower, 1 Ahad Ha’am Street, Tel Aviv, Israel
facebook.com/TheLibraryTelAviv

WHEN: The space opened just two months ago in December 2011.

WHY: The city wanted to support start-ups and foster innovation and entreneurship in a space that encouraged collaboration.

FAVORITES: When I asked people what their favorite thing about the space was, they all agreed that it was the view.

The view, although the picture really doesn’t do it justice (that’s the ocean in the background).

MORE FAVORITES:
“The environment is supporting you. There is a lot of collaboration here. You have a community to help you with marketing, financing, stuff specific to start-ups.”

“I really like that it was the initiative of the city. This is true entrepreneurship from the municipality.”

“The working atmosphere motivates me to get focused.”

Stay tuned for another visit in Tel Aviv!
Linktern Lydia

PresenTense: Jerusalem Coworking Hub

The very first stop on my coworking journey! I love the colorful charm of this space, and learned that they rotate in a new collection of local artwork every three months to keep it fresh and funky.

I got a chance to sit down and get to know a couple of the coworkers. Here’s what I learned…

WHO: Simi Hinden - Director of Online Community at PresenTense

WHAT: A coworking hub for social entrepreneurship (just one part of the larger organization).

WHERE: Emek Refaim 64, Jerusalem, Israel
www.presentense.org

WHEN: Opened in September 2008

WHY: I asked why coworking was important to PresenTense. Hindi explained that, in the past, PresenTense had essentially taken over an apartment as a meeting space for seminars and programs. The move to a larger, more open and creative space was a logical next step for them. Why coworking? It was a perfect fit for a collaborative group of entrepreneurs.

FAVORITES: I asked what their favorite thing about the space was.

“The people…. well, the kinds of people that are here. They’re really here to innovate social change in Jerusalem’s civic society. They want to make a difference.”

“It’s just more economically efficient. It makes more sense to share resources. Instead of having my own printer, which I would only use a few times a month, we can all share one and waste less.”

See you in Tel Aviv!
Linktern Lydia

Jerusalem

A Coworking Love Story

I walked into Link Coworking for the very first day of my new internship, and immediately my nervous see-saw stomach found balance. The brightly colored furniture and brilliant bubble lanterns suspended from the ceiling made the fact that I had no idea what my new job would entail somehow okay. My boss, Liz, had on this huge smile and immediately offered me coffee and snacks. It was like Starbucks had died and gone to heaven, and I went with it.

Since then, my love has only grown stronger. I got to know the growing team of Linksters, and was inspired by each and every one as I learned about their careers and observed their ambition in action. I experienced community in a place I used to think passion went to die, the working world. I was delighted to discover a working space that encouraged innovation, entrepreneurship, following passion and chasing dreams. Although diverse in background and career, Liz’s space and the community she created all seem to agree on one thing: what better way to find inspiration than to surround yourself with inspired coworkers? what better way to inspire your coworkers than to live an inspired life?

Since working with Linksters and witnessing the impact one’s workspace can have on one’s career and life attitude, I decided to follow their lead and take a journey of my own. I am off to Europe with a Euro Rail Pass, a few scattered contacts, and five months to explore. In order to see what the rest of the coworking movement is up to, and to get in touch with the feel of each city and community I visit, I will be stopping into coworking spaces in as many cities as possible. Check back in to keep up with my coworking journey!

See you in Israel! Linktern Lydia