New coworking space in Singapore focuses on innovations for the city

Source: DISTRICT 6. The view from the co-working space.

DISTRICT 6, a coworking space on the second floor of Odeon Towers, is open for business. The minimalist 10,000 sq ft space is designed to take advantage of natural light and outfitted in a palette of wood and white.

“As the rapid pace of urbanisation continues, both the cities themselves, and the blives we live in them, are also rapidly changing. From cities becoming smarter and more integrated with technology, to new building materials and new ways of constructing buildings, and from more efficient usage of space to new roles for art and design in public spaces – the environment we know is undergoing dramatic change. These changes require new thinking and new ways of doing things - thus we are creating a greenhouse for new ideas to flourish," say initiators of DISTRICT6 Arjan De Boer, Yuta Oka, and Jork Bosselaar.

“Coworking is not only for tech startups or online businesses, it is also very much for artists, designers, architects, and those from traditional offline industries. We believe in the impact of marrying the online with offline. We aim to build a vibrant community where real estate
tech startups, smart-city solutions, and smart living IoT businesses can meet with developers, architects, and offline businesses.”

The community that the team have built so far include people who create and innovate the built environment like real estate tech and smart living startup IglooHome and a research and education nonprofit for the real estate industry, the Urban Land Institute (ULI).

The team at DISTRICT6 will host events relevant to the co-working community that inspire and inform, above the usual networking opportunities. Those include, the first real estate tech hackathon in Singapore hosted in collaboration with IglooHome, slated to happen 21 to 23 July 2017, keynote speeches and networking hosted by Urban Land Institute, and fundraisers for hotel schools in Myanmar.

The space is designed to provide a range of flexi desks, dedicated desks, private studios (for teams of two to four), private offices (for larger companies with five to 20 people); and has four meeting rooms. Amenities and facilities include small meeting rooms, dedicated phone booths, a boardroom, and an event space that holds up to 100 people, complete with 8m high ceiling with a projectable wall.

The communal living room houses specialty coffee bar Kurasu. All beans are sourced by a specialty roaster from Japan, and the coffee is complimentary for members. Perks for members include discounts at rooftop bar Loof, located above DISTRICT6, as well as access to six spaces in Japan via a tripartite partnership with Fukuoka Financial Group and +Wander.

Interested?

DISTRICT 6 is at #02-01 331 North Bridge Road, Singapore 188720. View membership costs

Read the TechTrade Asia blog post about ULI's research on the future of buildings

posted from Bloggeroid

Rutgers Business School Asia Pacific to relocate to coworking space in Singapore

Rutgers Business School Asia Pacific (RBSAP), a provider of Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) degrees, is relocating to coworking space The Working Capitol on Keong Saik Road in Singapore.

The decision is motivated by the need to keep in pace with the evolving demands of the business world. Both traditional and executive education are looking beyond lectures, readings, case studies and team activities to ensure relevancy to current business needs while keeping an eye to the horizon in terms of innovation and competitiveness. The new location will serve as home to a unique 14.5-month long Executive MBA as well as RBS’ week-long Mini-MBAs.

Stephanie Krishnan, the Executive Director of Rutgers Business School Asia Pacific, said, “There is impetus in industry for both leaders and personnel to break through barriers in siloed thinking. This function-focused thinking starts with the way people are educated, in terms of their majors or specialisation. There have been some inroads in changing this, however exposure to a more entrepreneurial, collaborative way of thinking and working is required at the top of organisations. This is what we are aiming to show to our Executive MBA students through being part of a coworking space and being able to benefit from built-in networking opportunities and a professional atmosphere.”

“Today’s digital economy is driving tremendous change within organisations. It is easier to enter and disrupt other industries than to change your own. Any value chain with significant inefficiency offers an opportunity for new players to enter and disrupt. Companies need to be extremely agile and prepared for any disruption. This requires real-time collaboration that cuts across organisation hierarchies and rigid processes. (The) Rutgers Executive MBA programme will prepare executives to handle challenges in this digital economy, and I believe that this new environment within a coworking space will motivate them to think differently and drive digital transformation within their organisations,” said Saj Kumar, VP - Digital Transformation and IoT, SAP, and a RBS alumus.

With this in mind, Rutgers Business School Asia Pacific aims to drive a learning experience through exposure to collaboration, creativity and innovation in its new location. "We chose The Working Capitol because there are a number of ways we think alike - we believe in the intersection of tech, creative and service industries, we believe that a variety of ages and experience are needed to contribute to a meaningful enterprise – whether technical, managerial, creative, business or any other myriad of valid skills and perspectives that are required to make organizations thrive in today's uber-competitive environment," said Krishnan.

A proud RBS Alumnus and Chief Technology Officer, Asia Pacific & Japan Cisco Systems, Mathew Varghese, lauds the RBS decision. “This initiative from RBSAP to conduct future Business Programs in a 'coworking space' is an excellent one that will accelerate innovation and entrepreneurship. Coworking spaces in education provide a platform to interact and collaborate between educators, students and entrepreneurs leading to the development of a local ecosystem which to-date is unheard of in education space, “said Varghese.

“As I see it, the platform can be further enhanced to serve as a meeting space, community forum, networking venue, mentor and investor destination, co-founder dating place, incubator, accelerator, co-working venue, and educational resource for programmes and content ranging from how to develop a business plan, to say how to use a Facebook API in building a business to consumer marketplace among many other topics of interest. RBSAP alumni can play an active role in this community by being 'mentors, influencers, or connectors'."

Interested?

Read the WorkSmart Asia blog post about The Working Capitol's expansion into Singapore's central business district

The Work Project will be OUE's official coworking space partner at the Downtown Gallery

Source: OUE Limited. Concept workspace at The Work Project.

OUE Limited has announced The Work Project as its official coworking space partner at the upcoming Downtown Gallery in OUE Downtown in Singapore. Conceived as a Future Mall for the Future Self, Downtown Gallery will see The Work Project similarly bringing to life a new concept of work spaces designed for the future worker.

From space configuration to a multisensory environment and membership plans, every element at The Work Project has been meticulously researched to create the most complete office setting for today’s workforce.

“Digital technology and the growing generation of Millennials in the workforce, amongst other factors, have changed the traditional meaning of work,” stated Junny Lee, Founder, The Work Project. “As businesses evolve their structures and operations, work spaces too need to be optimised for today’s professionals. With The Work Project, we have created a credible working environment that caters to the needs of the future worker, and transform the workplace from ‘pressure’ to ‘pleasure’.”

Insights on the future self form the foundation for design and retail concepts at Downtown Gallery, and are informed by key consumer trends identified by Faith Popcorn’s BrainReserve, a previous OUE partner. The Work Project will reinforce this future-positioning of Downtown Gallery:

· Clanning: The Work Project is designed for the future worker with an entrepreneurial mindset and a desire to succeed to come together

· Ergonomics: The Work Project will offer spaces, amenities and services – including music, scent, refreshments and furniture – curated to facilitate productivity and improve the work experience

· Haute health: Being located at Downtown Gallery, The Work Project will be able to tap on partnerships with other tenants to connect its members to a full suite of wellness and lifestyle services, benefits and events

Patrina Tan, Senior VP, Retail, Marketing and Leasing, OUE Limited said, “Downtown Gallery has been designed organically around people’s lives, and having The Work Project on board will help us truly transform the way people live, work and play. Innovating is essential to our goal of injecting vibrancy into the retail landscape, and we welcome the opportunity to work with more partners like The Work Project who share our vision.”

The Work Project will be located on the fourth floor of Downtown Gallery at OUE Downtown, an integrated mixed-use development comprising serviced residences, retail and premium office spaces that is slated to open in 2017.

Interested?

Read the WorkSmart Asia blog post on OUE Downtown

Pay by-the-hour for workspace at Clarke Quay, Suntec

Coffeemin revolutionises the idea of the café with a co-working space that charges by the hour. Visitors may work, read, or play games in the space. Wi-Fi, snacks and beverages are included in the price.

A photo ID is required for entry, after which a receipt with the time of admission is provided. The receipt is used to calculate how much time has been spent when the visitor leaves. If you are planning to work alone or have a discussion for an hour or two it could well work out to the same price as going to Starbucks or a similar cafe for the same purpose. The crossover happens if you want to stay longer - it may then be cheaper to go to a traditional cafe. 

Spaces designed for working.

PCs for those who didn't bring their own.  

Books and board games for guest use.

Games on the Xbox.

Snacks are included in the admission price.

Coffeemin is co-located with LockDown.sg, a reality first-person adventure gaming organiser. The games, also known as 'escape' games, require players to use critical thinking in order to solve the challenges and riddles to get to the end of the game. LockDown has created particularly elaborate game scenarios that require teamwork. Heavy use of technology makes things more challenging. 

Interested?

Coffeemin has two outlets, in Clarke Quay Central and at Suntec City (near the Alive Museum). It costs S$6 per hour on weekdays and S$8 per hour on weekends. There is a daily cost of S$30 to use the space for the day, from 11am to 10pm, and frequent users can buy a membership instead.

LockDown, at the same outlets, charges S$19 per person for off-peak times, and S$22 per person for peak periods. Each game takes about an hour.

Check before visiting, however: the space can be rented for private events and may be closed on some days.

posted from Bloggeroid

Collective Works to launch coworking space together with CapitaLand

Artist's impression of the new coworking space at Capital Tower, Singapore.

• The two companies will launch a high-end coworking space at Level 12 of Capital Tower, Singapore
• The 22,000 sq ft 50:50 joint venture can support up to 250 high performance businesses 
• The design offers tailored solutions for diverse uses, from startups to MNCs
• Technological support includes secure on-site server hosting, videoconferencing, IP telephony and redundant fibre-optic broadband

Singapore’s first CBD-based coworking space, Collective Works, has announced a joint venture with Asian property giant CapitaLand. The two companies will launch a coworking space at Level 12 of the 52-storey Capital Tower in Singapore’s business district that can accommodate up to 250 businesses over 22,000 sq ft.

Jonathan O’Byrne, founder of Collective Works, which offers business centre services with the heart and portability of a coworking space, has observed an exponential surge in demand from entrepreneurs seeking more personal business solutions across Asia. “Our partnership galvanises Collective Works’ position as the market leader in premium coworking spaces and will set the pace for our future growth," he said. “Our new space, centrally located in Singapore’s world renowned business district, creates a unique ecosystem for our clients within the prestigious Capital Tower where they can flourish alongside other entrepreneurs as well as global MNCs."

The 50:50 joint venture, Collective Works at Capital Tower, has seen strong pre-registration. Designed by expert interior architect, Contrast Design Pte Ltd, the radical office design offers tailored solutions for the diverse profiles of today’s high performance business executives, whether they need a quiet, secure meeting room, a vibrant brainstorm space or the use of an integrated media space.

Wen Khai Meng, CEO of CapitaLand Singapore, said: “With Capital Tower’s central location, connectivity to public transport, proximity to clients and partners, premium Grade A specifications and lifestyle amenities, we are confident that the coworking space at this premium building will appeal to a range of fast-growing businesses, entrepreneurs and freelancers seeking to rent fully functional, fitted-out office spaces under flexible lease terms. Through thoughtful planning and creative design, members of the Capital Tower coworking space will have access to high quality, high-energy environments that are customisable to specific needs and conducive for networking, exchange of ideas, resource-sharing and collaboration. We foresee demand coming from sectors such as fintech, social media, technology, insurance, corporate training and venture capital investment.”

Collective Works has become known for its innovative design aesthetic and ergonomic approach. Technological support includes secure on-site server hosting, videoconferencing, IP telephony and redundant fibreoptic broadband with superior attention to ambience, lighting and acoustic sound profiling to enhance productivity and concentration in the bespoke offices.

Interested?

Request membership to register interest. Collective Works curates a symbiotic community and screens potential residents to ensure that each new company brings a new skill set to the community, not competition. Tenants can start moving in from May, and the official launch is in June.

Cowork at a beach resort, make new connections

Startup events and incubation programmes are typically local or held over short periods. The organisers of Coworking Camp are addressing the need to network farther afield for a longer time with an upcoming six-week programme that allows startups and digital nomads to network and develop business opportunities with likeminded individuals at a comfortable pace.

Source: Coworking Camp website.

“Even though new coworking spaces are opening every day, and there is a flurry of startup events and incubation programmes, it is sometimes difficult to make meaningful connections with other startups from different cities. Coworking Camp is specifically designed to let you meet founders that can help you to grow your network and to help each other to reach the next stage in your business. Plus it provides the opportunity to relax and recharge your batteries for a week or two,” says Matthias Zeitler, the Chief Coworker.

Coworking Camp was conceptualised by Romy Sigl, Owner, Coworking Salzburg, and Matthias Zeitler, Founder and CEO of MarkTheGlobe, a global search engine optimisation (SEO) company.

Many of the event formats used at Coworking Camp were invented at Coworking Salzburg. Sigl organised the first Coworking Camp in El Gouna, Egypt in March 2014. Thirty-nine entrepreneurs, startups and makers attended a week of networking and workshops, and the organisers say the outcome exceeded everyone's expectations, with strong relationships built and long-term collaborations begun.

For Coworking Camp Turkey, Coworking Camp provides a temporary coworking space at off-season rates at a five-star resort in Kemer, Turkey, by the beach. Participants may choose to stay the full six weeks from November 3 to December 15, 2014, or for a minimum of a week.

Source: Majesty Mirage Park Resort website.

Events held at Coworking Camp include speed networking, a Showtime presentation session, and group discussions, with ample time to focus on day-to-day work activities. Optional sightseeing activities are available on the weekends. 

Zeitler noted that Middle Eastern and Asian incubators have said that their Founders find Coworking Camp Turkey of interest as they can meet founders from Europe and also because it is easy for them to get a visa for Turkey. "We already have Middle Eastern and Asian startup registrations from Pakistan, UAE, and the Philippines," he said.

A ticket for three weeks costs €350 and includes a coworking membership, access to all events, and a fixed desk at an open desk area at the Majesty Mirage Park Resort.

Hotel accommodation and the cost of travel need to be paid separately. The organisers estimate that it would cost €400 for a week and €1,500 for six weeks for the all-inclusive hotel accommodation and the flight to the Antalya region in Turkey.