Business Triumphs: Success Stories Born in Coworking Spaces

In a world where revolutionary ideas and disruptive companies are sought after like hidden treasure, coworking spaces have emerged as the perfect breeding ground for success. These spaces offer not only shared desks but also an innovation incubator and a community of brilliant minds (6 benefits of coworking). Over the years, numerous companies have flourished in these vibrant incubators, and here we present some fascinating stories of business triumphs that were born in coworking spaces.

1. Instagram: The Visual Revolution that Started at Dogpatch Labs

Before filters and selfies dominated social media, Instagram was a seed of creativity germinating at Dogpatch Labs, a coworking space in San Francisco. Founded by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, Instagram was born as a photo editing platform aimed at bringing everyday moments to life in a unique way. Leveraging the entrepreneurial community at Dogpatch Labs, Systrom and Krieger refined their concept and launched Instagram in 2010. In just two years, the photo-sharing app was acquired by Facebook for a billion dollars, marking a milestone in the era of social media.

2. Uber: From a Coworking Space to Transportation Revolution

The story of Uber is a living testament to how an innovative idea, coupled with a coworking space, can shape an entire industry. Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp founded Uber in a coworking space in San Francisco in 2009. Inspired by the idea of leveraging technology to revolutionize how people commute, they created a ride-hailing app that changed the game. Capitalizing on interactions in the coworking space, they were able to refine their approach and build a global ridesharing network.

3. Slack: Renewed Business Communication

From online gaming to business communication, Slack's journey began at Tiny Speck, a coworking space in Vancouver. Although the company was originally developing an online game, they created an internal messaging tool to coordinate their work. This tool, which later became Slack, caught attention for its intuitive approach and ability to streamline workplace communication. As the team interacted with other professionals in the coworking space, they began to realize the potential of their tool to transform how companies communicate and collaborate.

4. Etsy: A Global Marketplace for Artisans in Brooklyn Coworking

From the halls of a coworking space in Brooklyn, New York, Etsy was born – an online platform that became a haven for artisans and lovers of handmade goods. Founders Rob Kalin, Chris Maguire, and Haim Schoppik recognized the potential of creating an online marketplace that connected creators with buyers worldwide. With the help of the entrepreneurial community in the coworking space, they launched Etsy in 2005. Since then, the platform has empowered thousands of artisans and small businesses, redefining how we shop and support handmade work.

5. Dollar Shave Club: From Idea to Success at Cross Campus

While not directly born in a coworking space, Dollar Shave Club used the Cross Campus coworking space in Los Angeles to accelerate its expansion. Founded by Michael Dubin in 2011, the company challenged the traditional shaving industry by offering affordable razor blade subscriptions. By using the coworking space as a base of operations, Dollar Shave Club quickly grew thanks to its disruptive approach and viral videos. In 2016, it was acquired by Unilever for a multimillion-dollar sum.