We may think that the creation of coworking space is directly linked to Silicon Valley, created in a world of «Geeks» for «Geeks». But this is just the visible face of the iceberg, since age, people are cooperating in such working space.

But the coworking place is not anymore seen as a Silicon Valley…

The development of coworking space from Europe to the USA is linked to the increased number of freelancers and startups in need of new working places. These young companies find opportunities for collaboration, better financial conditions and incomparable flexibility in coworking places and open this world to everybody in need of a comfortable working place.

When did this story start?

The history of coworking dates back to the Italian Renaissance. Some artists then operate in collaborative workspaces, places of exchange of knowledge, techniques and ideas. They team up with other creators, but also with scientists, to push their artistic process even further. In the 1800s, the same principle applied in the “coworking places” of the Berlin arts community.

These precursors of the modern co-working space already contain its founding principles. They provide opportunities to share professional experience, exchange new ideas and build a strong business network.

Who would have thought that coworking had such distant ancestors?

The C-Base:

In 1995, the foundation of a place called C-Base in Berlin made a twist in the history of coworking space; Even so the place was not called « coworking space » the main purpose was to create a think tank for the computer geniuses of the time.

This place, which still exists, was a possibility for people to meet and collaborate with other computer geniuses. This place offers a way to create a network to reinforce their skills. In this sense, C-Base is truly a prototype and an inspirational model for modern shared workspaces.

The first modern «coworking» space

So who created this word?

In 1999, Bernie de Koven – a German writer and game designer, used the word « coworking » in a lecture to describe new ways and methods for collaborative work. However, programmer Brad Neuberg claims to have coined the same word around the same time to describe shared workspaces. Regardless, it was Neuberg who launched the first shared workspace in the United States in 2005. It was the birth of Spiral Muse, and later, the Hat Factory. In these innovative, community-oriented offices equipped with rest areas and a wireless network, users can enjoy meditation sessions, shared meals, and more.

The 21 centuries, an era of coworking?

The era of coworking is on! According to Google Analytics, in 2007, the term “coworking” resulted in more than 27,000 searches per month on the internet. This is why the English version of Wikipedia decides to devote the first page to the phenomenon of collaborative work, which will popularize the phenomenon.

From 2010, coworking has taken its place in history and spread all over the world. There are then more than 600 collaborative spaces, half of which are located in North America. 2010 also marks the first official Coworking Day as well as the organization of the first conferences on the subject in Brussels and Barcelona. The following year, Jelly Week celebrates informal networking and collaboration in a fluid environment, very similar to coworking

And what now?

In 2018, more than 7,500 collaborative workspaces were used worldwide. One yard later the number increased to 16,599 and never stopped growing to reach almost 20,000 in 2020.

In terms of presence around the world London has the greatest concentration of coworking spaces, closely followed by New York. In general, the countries of the northern hemisphere are more concerned by this practice than that of the south.

The number of people using Coworking spaces worldwide grew from 1,650,000 in 2018 to almost 2millions in 2020. (Estimates based on proprietary data from CoworkingResources and Coworker)

If COVID-19 marks a pause in the progression of collaborative work, the industry is counting on a significant recovery after the pandemic, with an accelerated growth rate of 21.3% from 2021. Indeed, the growth of coworking spaces will accelerate considerably in the coming months and years. It is therefore projected that the number of coworking spaces in the world will double by 2024, rising to more than 40,000 spaces and 5 million users.

The number of coworking spaces worldwide is projected to reach almost 20,000 this year and cross over 40,000 by 2024. While the industry is set to grow at a slower pace in 2020, we expect growth to rebound and develop even more rapidly from 2021 onwards, with a yearly growth rate of 21.3%, Coworking Growth Study 2020

The profiles of coworkers have also evolved over the years. Initiated by startups and freelancers, coworking is now attracting mid-sized companies and even a few large groups. These companies see it as an opportunity to benefit from the synergies and dynamism of these work environments. Many entrepreneurs are turning away from traditional offices to go towards the flexibility that coworking offers.

According to Clément Alteresco, founder of Bureaux À Partager:

In this new digital world, companies have more than ever a need for flexibility and simplicity. Coworking responds perfectly to this and goes further, by offering companies collaborative ecosystems conducive to their successful development.

The market will never be saturated because coworking is intended to replace the traditional office. Today it represents 2 to 3% of the office market, but in 10 years it could represent 20%!

Despite the health crisis caused by COVID-19 coworking spaces is a very current phenomenon, even if its history dates back several centuries. While the origins of the word remain unclear, the need for shared workspaces continues to grow. And it’s no wonder! Coworking spaces are the perfect mix between the dynamism of the office and the flexibility of teleworking, in addition to offering the advantage of proximity.

If you want to know more about coworking places, some articles are waiting for you on our website. Just click on the blog section here. You will find numerous articles on this topic. And if you are in Varna, and need a place to work just come to Innovator and try it by yourself 🙂

Author: Fanny Schupfer