JOIN USLaunching a business is a tough experience; and not everybody is strong enough to accomplish this task. Entrepreneurs need networks. Also, it is difficult to bear the costs of a small company — like facilities, desktops — by oneself,” says Himanshu Bindal. He recollects how, when his sister and he were scouting an office space for a jewellery start-up, they realised there was a “gap in society for start-ups, in terms of resources and infrastructure”. There was no awareness about co-working and community building place; which is why, he says, they decided to do something for young entrepreneurs and launched One Internet, a 360 degree start-up support incubator-cum-accelerator platform that aims to create an ecosystem of resources for start-ups.
Launched in September 2015 in Connaught Place (now also in Pitampura and
Gurgaon), the space is primarily a hub for young entrepreneurs, freelancers, start-ups and individual contractors to help structure their ideas and benefit from a friendly and innovative environment. It offers various services such as co-working space, entrepreneur mentorship program, investment support, acceleration program and networking events apart from basics like high speed internet and conference rooms.
Such new generation workspace, which deviate from the traditional structure of restricted office spaces, have mushroomed across the country. These, as Shantanu
Verma, co-founder, Delhi Co. puts it, “create a vibrant community of entrepreneurs and facilitate exchange of ideas and collaboration amongst themselves to create a highly productive and energetic work environment”.
“A co-working space essentially means a shared or a plug and play office space where the emphasis lies on building a community and facilitating exchange of ideas. The concept is picking up in a big way amongst not only start-ups, but matured companies who are in the two to 10 employee range. The reason is simply that co-working offers a deal small companies (in terms of employees) can’t refuse, like savings, capital expenses, monthly expenses, convenience, flexibility, infrastructure and networking,” he tells Metrolife.
Currently operational in Shahpur Jat and Kailash Colony areas, Delhi Co. charges Rs 5,000 per month plus service tax per workstation in Shahpur Jat, and Rs 7,000 per month plus service tax in Kailash Colony. They also have rates for segregated spaces where over six people can sit.
“We have had multiple start-ups blooming at Delhi Co. We had Keventers (the original one) starting last year with an outlet in Select City Walk, Saket and eventually expanding into multiple locations. We also have GoBuzzinga, along with a tech start-up called MySmartPrice and another tech start-up, Instalively, before they left because their team became too big,” Verma shares.
According to Ritesh Malik, founder of Innov8 Co-working, traditionally, Indians have been working in cubicles or restricted office spaces which don’t facilitate collaboration and ideation amongst employees. He is hopeful that with the onset of co-working spaces, there will be drastic change in how we look at work and build products for our economy.
“Co-working started with small businesses or start-ups, freelancers, coders and agencies working from shared space to move away from the hassle of building and maintaining offices. It started globally and it is now a huge demand in India. Market for co-working spaces will only rise in India and globally. There is enough demand in the market with increasing number of entrepreneurs, businesses and changing style of work,” says Malik, adding that apart from creating a hybrid space of open space and private office zones, they have separate soundproof meeting rooms, an ideation room for brainstorming and a British style soundproof red telephone booth to take private calls. “We also have a beautiful open terrace for conversations,” he says.
Summing up, Bindal points out the benefits of working out of a co-working space among other things, is that it increases productivity when people are surrounded by hardworking people.
“Also, there is an increased sense of community and trust amongst peers; it reduces the amount of common office overheads like broadband and printer costs; creates new opportunities to collaborate on projects too large for your own business; and you can absorb new ideas from other industries not usually within your network,” he says.
Adding, Malik says that their ultimate challenge is to provide such an environment that merge work and fun in life. “People should not take work as a burden and work place environment is a major factor. We are here to revolutionise work,” he says.