Startups

Launch Workplaces wants to help building owners open a coworking space

After opening five coworking spaces, the company is looking to work with other real estate firms.

Inside a Launch Workplaces location. (Photo via Facebook)

Launch Workplaces was started by the 125-year-old Anne Arundel County–based real estate firm The Brick Companies as it looked to refresh its own model and connect with more entrepreneurs in the market for smaller spaces.
The company has seen success with the model after opening five coworking spaces in suburban areas in the region, said CEO Mike Kriel. Along with space for entrepreneurs to work, along with events and education to help connect with others in the community.
After five years, it sees an opportunity in helping other real estate companies. The firm recently launched a consulting service that will work with firms start coworking spaces. Kriel said the service grew out of interest that other buildings owners expressed in starting a coworking space.
“We’ve seen a shift in the preferred type of workspace from traditional workplaces to entrepreneurial communities, with collaboration and educational programming in the workspace,” Kriel said in a statement. “The demand for this type of space continues to increase and our new consulting service answers this demand.”
The model works as a managed services model, where Launch Workplaces helps open and run a space. It could also include cobranding, depending on the deal. For an example, Kriel said the company can point to its own spaces. In Maryland, it has spaces in Towson, Rockville, Gaithersburg and Edgewater.
“It gives owners a lot of comfort to be able to say, ‘We’re doing it inside our own walls and here’s how it’s happening,'” Kriel said.

Before you go...

Please consider supporting Technical.ly to keep our independent journalism strong. Unlike most business-focused media outlets, we don’t have a paywall. Instead, we count on your personal and organizational support.

3 ways to support our work:
  • Contribute to the Journalism Fund. Charitable giving ensures our information remains free and accessible for residents to discover workforce programs and entrepreneurship pathways. This includes philanthropic grants and individual tax-deductible donations from readers like you.
  • Use our Preferred Partners. Our directory of vetted providers offers high-quality recommendations for services our readers need, and each referral supports our journalism.
  • Use our services. If you need entrepreneurs and tech leaders to buy your services, are seeking technologists to hire or want more professionals to know about your ecosystem, Technical.ly has the biggest and most engaged audience in the mid-Atlantic. We help companies tell their stories and answer big questions to meet and serve our community.
The journalism fund Preferred partners Our services
Engagement

Join our growing Slack community

Join 5,000 tech professionals and entrepreneurs in our community Slack today!

Trending

Silicon Valley venture firm launches ‘Rising America’ fund to back diverse founders

TEDCO’s Entrepreneur Expo is back for its 10th edition

Why are there so few tech apprenticeships?

Government contracts can change the game for for small and underrepresented businesses

Technically Media