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August 8, 2017Innovate 518 Coworking Day Celebrates Entrepreneurial Drive
For entrepreneurs, finding an affordable space to bring your business to life isn’t always as simple as setting up in the garage. As social media has ushered in a new level of connectivity, like-minded individuals have joined in by setting up “coworking spaces” – collaborative work environments that provide spaces for people to share equipment, knowledge and ideas.
On Wednesday, August 9, individuals and businesses are coming together to celebrate these spaces that provide a new generation of professionals with the tools to succeed on their own terms.
Here in New York, Innovate 518 is helping to showcase coworking spaces that can be found throughout the Capital Region. The collaboration is led by the University at Albany, with support from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the Center for Economic Growth.
Spaces in Albany, Schenectady, Troy and Saratoga will be opening their doors for free on Wednesday, providing an opportunity for professionals to see the benefits of setting up shop in a coworking environment.
“Innovate 518 Coworking Day is a chance for entrepreneurs to share best practices, network and learn in spaces that are designed to foster collaboration,” said Matt Grattan, Director of Community and Economic Development at UAlbany.
Innovate 518 members will be available for interviews from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Wednesday at Saratoga CoWorks, 153 Regent St., Saratoga Springs N.Y. Contact Matt Grattan, at (518) 603-1417 for more information.
“Innovate 518 has done a wonderful job bringing together a community of academic and for-profit organizations that have a common goal of supporting our local entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Jeff Goronkin, CEO of the Electric City Innovation Center. “Flexible office space is a critical necessity in many early stage start-ups as well as access to mentorship, talent and financing. Connecting with Innovate 518 is one of the best actions an entrepreneur can make.”
“Entrepreneurs and business professionals are working differently in the Capital Region and we want more people to come experience it. Troy Innovation Garage is a coworking space where people can collaborate, challenge each other, and be inspired to work better than they ever have before,” said Michelle Schroll, Community Manager of Troy Innovation Garage. “We’re a creative community dedicated to each other’s success.”
“The BizLab is happy to be a part of Innovate518 Coworking Day. There’s a reason incubators, accelerators and coworkings spaces are popping up throughout the Tech Valley region: People do their best work in a thriving, energetic environment. Entrepreneurs want to be around other budding business leaders to bounce ideas off of or collaborate,” said said Rick D’Errico, managing director of the New York BizLab in Schenectady. “The simple fact is we need each other to grow as individuals and companies.”
The coworking spaces include:
Albany BEAHIVE
418 Broadway, Albany N.Y.
Free coworking from10 a.m – 4 p.m. Contact: tracy@tlmetzger.com
Saratoga CoWorks
153 Regent Street, Saratoga Springs NY
Contact dorothy@saratogacoworks.com
Electric City Innovation Center
433 State Street, 4th Floor, Schenectady NY
The ECIC will be holding a networking event in the morning with an introduction to coworking, and free coworking all day for those who register. Contact info@ecic.biz
New York BizLab
251 State Street, Schenectady NY
The NYBizLab will make its Magna5 conference room available for free from 9 – 5 p.m. on August 9.
Contact rderrico@transfinder.com
Troy Innovation Garage
24 4th Street, Troy NY
Open house from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Troy Innovation Garage, no registration required.
contact michelle@troyinnovationgarage.com
The Tech Valley Center of Gravity
30 3rd Street, Troy NY
Free coworking from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday – Friday. This includes access to open work space, free WIFI and the use of the TVCG’s community kitchen. Make your reservations. Contact info@tvcog.net
IgniteU NY
333 Broadway, Suite 350, Troy NY
For those registered with the TVCG, come check out IgniteU’s space and experience the Quackenbush Building as one big coworking environment. Contact estewart@nystec.com
