New ways of working mean coworking. It’s a word that’s wandering the corridors of companies and the minds of entrepreneurs… but where does it come from? Who created the concept? Why is coworking becoming more and more important in our society? we have our own idea… no doubt, because to try it is to adopt it.
The origins of Coworking
The adventure began in 1995 in Germany. A space called C-base offered technology enthusiasts the chance to get together and collaborate in an open, welcoming environment. A first! Four years later, it was in America that the word “coworking” was officially used by Bernie de Koven, writer and creator of video games. Autonomy and non-competition were his leitmotivs.
In 2005, the very first coworking space opened in San Franciso. The creator, Brad Neuberg, found business centers far too cold and unconducive to the birth of new ideas. So he teamed up with Chris Messina, inventor of the hashtag (among other things), and asked him to choose the name of the space: The Hat Factory.
Back to Germany. The first coworking café opens in Berlin. Hot drinks and free wifi are on the menu. Customers can work in a pleasant environment, just like at home.
That’s all very well, but what about France? In 2008, France welcomed its very first coworking space: La Cantine. A place dedicated to innovation created by Silicon Sentier, bringing together freelancers and entrepreneurs. At the heart of the project – can you guess? collaboration!
And today? there are 1,700 coworking spaces in France. And that’s just the beginning.
Why should you try coworking?
The right work-life balance
These “third places” help people to find a balance between their professional and personal lives. How do they do this? By offering spaces conducive to relaxation: yoga rooms, quiet rooms, working cafés, rooftops….In short, disconnect to better reconnect;
Coworking spaces make it easy to meet people
Setting up an office in a coworking space brings a measurable advantage: belonging to a community. It’s easy to create links and communicate with different types of professionals: founders of small businesses, creators, freelancers, startuppers, but also employees of large entities who settle in for a period in intrapreuneuriat mode… everything to stimulate your creativity!
Work in a warm, well-equipped space
Setting up an office in a coworking space brings a measurable advantage: belonging to a community. It’s easy to create links and communicate with different types of professionals: founders of small businesses, creators, freelancers, startuppers, but also employees of large entities who settle in for a period in intrapreuneuriat mode… everything to stimulate your creativity!
Low cost
By renting a workstation in a coworking space, you can concentrate fully on your business, without having to worry about insurance, connection costs, building work, cleaning, coffee, furniture replacement… in a shared office space, everything is included, everything is turnkey. And no 3/6/9 lease! Flexibility is the key. Most places offer just one month’s notice in the event of departure.
Focus on Le Connecteur
Le Connecteur is one of these places, offering coworking spaces, meeting rooms, Auditorium, Amphitheater, Showroom, restaurants. It is located in the heart of Biarritz. Conceived and financed by Crédit Agricole Pyrénées Gascogne, it is scheduled to open in September 2021.
It all started with a simple idea: everyone should be able to work and learn where they want to live. Why leave your home region when you can create value and jobs in a place that’s perfectly suited to new ways of working? The flight of talent to the big metropolises is over. Medium-sized towns now offer perfectly competitive solutions. Biarritz has its own with Le Connecteur.
It’s beautiful, simple, effective and useful for the region.