Launching a business can be tough. Adding the stress of finding the perfect location that’s both affordable and accessible can quickly become a nightmare. An alternative, quickly rising in popularity is utilizing local co-working spaces — places where multiple businesses share conference rooms, offices and cubicles.
A quick Google search discovers more than 100 existing co-working spaces throughout Indiana, but Steven Shattuck, co-founder and executive director of Launch Cause, hopes to add a different spin to his co-working space set to open in March 2016. Launch Cause, soon-to-be located at 5724 Birtz Road, will feature 14 private offices, 21 semi-private workspaces, 30 co-working spaces and two conference rooms.
“There are tons of co-working spaces in Indiana, but there aren’t any geared toward nonprofits or those who run charities, as most are for tech startups,” said Shattuck.
“People will become members of the co-working space, sit at a table with their laptop and work on some type of app or website. All of the members of those co-working spaces can feed off of one another, because they are all working on similar projects.”
He said while co-working places such as Launch Fishers or The Speak Easy are great, they only have roughly one or two nonprofit members, and those members can’t get any extra assistance because they’re working on items others around them aren’t.
“I wanted to create a place that’s really the hub for nonprofits in central Indiana and hopefully statewide. If you have a nonprofit or are starting a nonprofit, maybe within the first two years or even more mature, this is going to be a great place to be,” stated Shattuck.
Members will have access to a dedicated kitchen, outdoor seating and picnic area, fast and reliable Wi-Fi, steel lockers, reservable conference rooms, and office equipment including printers, scanners, copiers and fax machines. Launch Cause will hold monthly “lunch and learn” sessions and weekly webinars for members, as well as community events for members and non-members alike.
Launch Cause didn’t close the door completely for for-profits; social entrepreneurs that have a goal to better the world and companies that have a mission where profits go to a charity of some kind are also welcome.
The fully furnished 6,800-square-foot facility, gifted by Bloomerang, will be located in historic Lawrence Village near Fort Harrison State Park on the northeast side of Indianapolis.
When asked why Launch Cause decided on Lawrence Village instead of downtown, the simple answer lies in accessibility. Although rent in downtown Indianapolis would sure be more expensive, Launch Cause will be located near Interstate 465 and Interstate 69 and just a short distance from Fort Harrison State Park, restaurants and breweries. Not to mention, parking won’t be an issue, said the founders.
“With co-works opening throughout Indiana, serving as entry points to tap into the broader entrepreneurship ecosystem, we congratulate Launch Cause for creating Indiana’s first co-work catered to the development of nonprofits and social entrepreneurs,” says Jacob Schpok, executive director of Indiana Office of Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
Launch Cause is currently accepting member applications for their Q1 2016 opening. Twenty scholarships for a six-month-free membership are available at Launchcause.org/apply.
