You might not expect an esports education platform and a snow removal equipment manufacturer to be office mates. But fast-growing North Dakota startups Fenworks and Muskox both got their start at the same address: 33 South Third Street.
That’s home to 701 Coworking, a dynamic, shared workspace in the center of downtown Grand Forks. Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, the facility has spent a decade serving as a launchpad for the region’s independent talent.
“All entrepreneurs want to do here is see other entrepreneurs succeed.”
Matthew Ternus, 701 Coworking
As remote employment, freelancing and high-growth startups redefine the regional economy, shared workspaces have become essential economic infrastructure. The US coworking market surged 15% last year, continuing a post-pandemic rebound, according to national industry reports by CoworkingCafe, a commercial real estate research network administered by Yardi Matrix. Across the nation, more than 1,100 new locations were added in the fourth quarter of 2025 alone, as workers, freelancers and growing businesses sought connection over isolation.
“I worked from home for almost 10 years,” said Val Sutch, director of operations for Our Family Home Care. She manages a team of nearly 30 employees across North Dakota from her base at The 701.
“I love the space and the openness,” she told Technical.ly. “Just the interaction, talking with other people about problems, networking — having people around. I just love this environment.”
The environment is designed to be accessible from day one.
“We like to think of this space as a fun starting point,” said Matthew Ternus, 701 Coworking’s director. “We have tenants who graduate to bigger locations, and long-term tenants who stay. All entrepreneurs want to do here is see other entrepreneurs succeed.”
The workspace serves as headquarters for its parent organization, Evolve Grand Forks, a nonprofit dedicated to cultivating entrepreneurship across the region. Backed by founding partners including the Knight Foundation and the Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation, Evolve connects founders to capital, mentorship and local network streams.
“The 701 Coworking space is Evolve Grand Forks’s shining jewel,” Ternus said. “It is the physical representation of everything we do.”
A wide variety of tenants — and that’s the point
Named after North Dakota’s statewide area code, The 701 offers flexible options ranging from $15 day passes and $75 virtual business address passes to dedicated desks and private lockable offices. Thanks to a partnership with the University of North Dakota Student Government, UND students get full access to the facility.
Today, the space supports 119 active members, according to Ternus, across a wide range of industries. While Fenworks has since relocated, Muskox still lists The 701 as its headquarters. Other current tenants include the Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals, speech therapy group Chatty Learners, health advocacy nonprofit Live Well Grand Cities, karaoke-in-taxis startup PartyPilot, communications agency Milky Way Media and criminal defense firm Sand Law.
For many, escaping isolation is the primary draw — along with establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life.
“My husband also works from home, so working from home was less than ideal,” said Lisa Johnson, a Realtor with the Elm Group and a five-year tenant. “It created an affordable space for me to work outside of home. We have tenant meetings over lunch to talk about what we have going on and how we can support each other.”
To further support these connections, 701 Coworking hosts several core initiatives:
- Up Next speaker series: Formerly 1 Million Cups, this monthly panel brings entrepreneurs together with groups like SCORE, the Small Business Development Center (ND SBDC) and the University of North Dakota Center for Innovation to share real-world business challenges.
- Nonprofit and civic hub: Reduced rates allow organizations like the Community Violence Intervention Center (CVIC) to host events and board meetings downtown.
- Community access: The 701 this fall plans to roll out “Free Wednesdays”, allowing anyone in the community to drop in for the day and experience coworking without a pass.
Ternus and team continue to upgrade the physical infrastructure. Supported by a $3,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Region, they’re completing a state-of-the-art, plug-and-play recording studio. Designed for podcasts, music and short-form video content, the soundproofed media room will allow creators to plug in a laptop and begin recording immediately.
The economic impact of the space extends beyond its historic, exposed-brick walls. By drawing dozens of remote workers, founders and nonprofit leaders into the heart of downtown Grand Forks every weekday, the facility fuels foot traffic for neighboring retail shops and cafes — while serving local favorites like Bully Brew Coffee in the member kitchen.
It’s all part of a broader vision to keep the regional business community thriving.
“Grand Forks’ entrepreneurial ecosystem is super supportive,” Ternus said. “All entrepreneurs want to do here is see other entrepreneurs succeed. This is a space for collaboration and exciting idea generation, and we’re thrilled to be part of that.”
