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ATDC & Coworking

Aug 21, 08 in ATDC, Entrepreneurship, Incubators, Startups   15 Comments

Russell Jurney suggested yesterday via Skribit that I write an article about "ATDC Sponsored Coworking Space" and it was quickly voted up as a popular topic.  So I gotta say something.

But before I do I need to point out something else.  This is my personal blog.  As it clearly states in the disclaimer in the lower right, the opinions expressed here are mine, not those of my employer.  You want the official ATDC word venture over to PeachSeedz.  Everything I say here does adhere to my personal values, which can be summed up in two words.  Be good. 

So with that out of the way, here goes.

ATDC has long been internally discussing offering something like coworking space. The drivers of this have been finding room for entrepreneurs when they are in the early stages of concept development as well as ventures that are not quite ATDC ready but need space.  Lay on top of this that ATDC embraces the social and collaborative aspects of the coworking process and is a non-profit focused on community it may be in a good position to foster coworking in Atlanta.  With a healthy mix of companies prepping to move beyond the physical confines of ATDC in the fall and some room opening up it seems like it may be time for action.

So with all this in mind I recently entrusted ATDC trusty graduate assistant and aspiring entrepreneur Blake Perdue to undertake a project to investigate the prospects of bringing coworking to ATDC.  He is in the early stages of this endeavor and I expect a recommendation from him some time next month on how ATDC may be able to play.   While I am going to make a few predictions on what may fall out of this, I am not going to predict if this is something that ATDC is going to do. Beyond me.  If it does happen I anticipate the following will be part of a plan.

As a state funded not for profit entity ATDC is not in a position to offer free space for coworking.  If you need to know why just do a quick search on the Georgia state budget crisis.  ATDC may be able to offer space at the same rates as those companies that are in the incubator program.  This pricing is heavily subsidized.  If ATDC were to set aside 1,500 square feet for a coworking type program we could offer space to about 15 FTEs at a cost that is typical of other coworking setups.  From what I know at the moment that runs from $240 to $400 a month per person.  If more is needed then I would encourage the community to seek additional sponsorship. 

ATDC will remain true to its roots of helping Georgia technology entrepreneurs.  Whatever happens will be focused on helping startups, not the broader work-at-home professional and independent contractor class that coworking targets.

Like the ATDC incubator program I would guess that it would limit the time that an individual could participate in the coworking program to rotate the participants and offer more opportunity to a broader group.

The facility would only be available during normal office hours and participants would need to arrange for their own public transportation or parking.

That's it.  Again this is something ATDC has under study.  If you are interested in helping to make this a reality I encourage you to reach out and work with Blake on a plan that will work for all.

And if you need some space before we get this all figured out I encourage you to make use of the Entrepreneurs Resource Center.  It is on the first floor of Centergy.  Can accommodate about 10 people.  And it's free.

And if you care to discuss here, please do.  Just be good.


Comments

Thanks for addressing this, Lance :)

Russell Jurney  |  Aug 21, 08 at 09:17 AM

If you're interested in helping, or have thoughts or ideas on what we should do, you can contact me here: blake.perdue@atdc.org

Thanks.

Blake Perdue  |  Aug 21, 08 at 09:56 AM

That sounds awesome. Thanks, Lance.

The only thing I would add is to make sure that part-time space is available- ie, 5 days per month.

Erik Peterson  |  Aug 21, 08 at 10:08 AM

Time to get creative folks!

The state of Georgia can't do it - lack of funds. The Gwinnett Chamber is looking to put together a great program for OTPers. However, we, as a community need to figure this out.

You know what would be really cool? A loft in Atlantic station.

Somebody must know someone with too much commercial real estate on their hands. Or an house in Virginia Highlands they can't sell. Or the unused back room of a restaurant in Five Points. Something. Let's think outside the box.

Paul Freet  |  Aug 21, 08 at 10:16 AM

Also, those interested should come to the coworking meetup next week (Tue, 7pm).

http://entrepreneur.meetup.com/1202/calendar/8578597/?from=list&offset=0

Blake Perdue  |  Aug 21, 08 at 10:36 AM

"The facility would only be available during normal office hours"

I think that will be a huge drawback. Coworking stems from the work-whenever-you-want coffee shop culture.

Paul Stamatiou  |  Aug 21, 08 at 12:07 PM

Agreed regarding Paul's comments. Many of us are wearing multiple hats, and much of the work gets done outside of normal office hours. It would be beneficial to have flexibility on this.

Thanks for pointing out the resource center Lance. I was not aware of its full function.

Ryan Martiny  |  Aug 21, 08 at 12:23 PM

Erik: we have been discussing part-time space.

Paul/Ryan: I hear what you both are saying, just not sure exactly what it takes for someone to be issued an access card, the building is open between 7 and 7.

Lance  |  Aug 21, 08 at 12:34 PM

The Entrepreneur Resource Center on the first floor of Centergy is one of the best kept secrets of GT. Classy, quiet, wired. If you haven't been, try it next time you're in midtown.

Brandy  |  Aug 21, 08 at 12:40 PM

My current landlord is moving into a larger space and will have an extra 20-25 cubes and a few offices and a conference room. It's in the Earthlink building. There may be a potential for some hoteling there.

What are the expectations regarding phone, internet, printing, coffee, mail service, etc? While it would be month-month, how long would people expect to stay?

Blake: I will pop you an email directly too.

nick

Nick Owen  |  Aug 21, 08 at 02:29 PM

Paul said: "Someone must know somebody with too much commercial real estate." Well, that would be me.

I have 16,000 RSF of Class-A space in Alpharetta. I would be thrilled to have as many start-ups as possible there.

In the past, I've spoken with Angels who were looking for space, but they wanted it free, or way below market.

I don't understand this, because office space costs money, and providing it free means investing in the startup.

But Lance, maybe I'm just tired, but I didn't see in your post if your are saying that it should be free -- or just set up to work for startups.

My building, which can be seen at http://www.CrcBusinessCenter.com is perfectly set up, includes Voice over IP telephone, Metro-E fiber, has a raised floor data center, and very tight security. However, it is not free.

Does this help? Or is it only a solution if it is free?

Robert Gerace  |  Aug 21, 08 at 07:58 PM

Hi All,

I checked back here to see if Lance had responded yet, and many of your concerns caught my eye.

I believe that most Executive Suite office companies can satisfy the temporary, hoteling, connectivity, and access issues. I know that we certainly can.

We have 24x7x365 secure access with card-keys and cameras, month-to-month agreements, Internet, phone, reception, mail, postage, printing, receiving, shipping, etc. services like many of the other Executive Suites.

In my general area, besides ours, there is a huge center off 400 and Exit 11, and a large center in Duluth.

Some suites may have a 3 month minimum, some are month-to-month.

I remember back in 1989 when we were starting our computer company -- it was urgent that we had a place to work, and some brick and mortar to establish some credibility. It is a huge leap to get all of the necessary services.

Executive Suites solve that problem starting at $500 per month...you have a Class-A building to bring clients, board room, training room, brick and mortar address, telephone system with auto attendant, voice mail, Internet connection, janitorial services, etc.

Check out: http://www.ebcnet.com/products/fullprogram.asp

and

http://www.regus.com/

Robert Gerace  |  Aug 22, 08 at 09:53 AM

Robert, your space looks modern and nice, but in order for co-working to work successfully, the community needs a more open and engaging environment.

Wei  |  Aug 24, 08 at 12:40 PM

Nick,

Definitely interested in hearing the options at your building. Month to Month would be great, but would probably need the space for 2-5 person team 3-6 months. I'm open on the other options you had listed. Internet availability and possible access to a conference room would be the most critical.

I can be reached at my firstname.lastname @ iresume.net

Thanks
-Ryan

Ryan Martiny  |  Aug 25, 08 at 11:30 AM

If the point of a co-working space is to build a community that helps companies grow, then putting it in the suburbs - a place predicated upon avoiding interaction with others, seems a bit off. Much more 'synergy' in the city, where people go to be around other people and culture happens. ATDC is an ideal location being at the center of the Atlanta startup universe.

$400 a month would be a lot for a cube, but the skillset to hustle that for the benefit of being at ATDC might be a good filter for admission.

Just my two cents. I could be wrong, and an elitist, childless hipster jerk. :)

Russell Jurney  |  Aug 25, 08 at 12:40 PM

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