In today's work environment, coworking has become an integral part of the lives of freelancers, remote workers, startups and other young companies. However, although in Spain it is a relatively new trend, The roots of coworking date back to 2005 and have evolved significantly since then. In this blog post, We will delve into the origins of coworking and its transformation over the years, as inspiration of our coworking in Reus.
The origins of coworking: Brad Neuberg's Vision
Brad Neuberg, a software engineer, He is recognized as the pioneer of the coworking concept more than a decade ago. During a challenging financial period in 2005, Neuberg sought to combine the freedom of work independently with the sense of community and structure of working together with others. Through collaboration with a life coach, developed a three-part plan that laid the foundation for the coworking movement as we know it today.
Precursors of Coworking
While the Neuberg coworking space was revolutionary, It is important to recognize that similar ideas had been brewing for years. Hackerspaces like C-base, established in Berlin in 1995, served as early prototypes of today's coworking spaces. Another precursor, 42 West 24, emerged in New York City in 1999, offering flexible desk arrangements. However, lacked the vital element of community that characterizes modern coworking spaces.
Origins of coworking – The Birth of the First Coworking Space
Neuberg's vision materialized at the San Francisco Coworking Space, which officially opened its doors in 2005. Located inside Spiral Muse, a feminist collective, this space provided an environment conducive to collaboration and creativity. The first coworker was Ray Baxter, a passionate startup developer, athlete and father. Overwhelmed by demand for its innovative concept, Neuberg later expanded to the Hat Factory, the first full-time coworking space in the world.
Early Growth and Expansion
Year 2005 marked a turning point for coworking, since it began to gain recognition around the world. The original Hub opened in London's Angel station, igniting a franchise network that continues to flourish today. Similarly, St. Oberholz in Germany became one of the first cafes to offer free internet access, driving the initial coworking trend.
Origins of coworking – The Expansion of the Coworking Phenomenon
Following Neuberg's pioneering efforts, coworking gained momentum around the world. In 2006, Brooklyn Coworking opened, the first official coworking space in New York City. That same year, Jelly was established, a movement that encouraged remote workers to meet and collaborate in shared spaces. For 2007, Jelly had expanded to cities like Austin and Phoenix. In 2009, The Global Coworking Unconference Conference was created (GCUC), consolidating your authority within the industry. At the moment, GCUC remains an influential force in the coworking community. For 2012, there were more than 2,000 coworking spaces around the world, highlighting its status as a global phenomenon.
The history of coworking reflects the broader evolution of this collaborative movement. From humble beginnings in 2005 until its widespread recognition today, Coworking has revolutionized the way we work and connect with others. At Grismateria we want to promote the coworking movement in Reus, empowering professionals from various industries to come together, Network and thrive in a dynamic and supportive environment.