Why Do Startups Opt For Coworking Spaces in Pakistan

Today, Startups are choosing coworking spaces, but Why? What are the reasons that these burgeoning businesses are driving towards coworking spaces instead of traditional office spaces? in Pakistan and on the International level as well. Coworking spaces are shared spaces that provide brands, companies, and businesses with prime locations, professional addresses, meeting rooms, private offices, and parking services, and offer a wide range of amenities, the members of coworking spaces also have the opportunity to connect with different company’s according to their niche as coworking spaces host different events based on partnerships they do, which is quite beneficial for startups. Coworking offers flexibility, cost-effectiveness, work-life balance, networking opportunities, and a dynamic environment that drives innovation. This blog delves into the details of why startups are opting for coworking spaces?

Coworking space emerged in 1995 in Berlin, Germany, it laid the foundation for the shared working environment, and after that, this started all over the world. Then in the 2000s, The Spiral Muse and The Hat Factory in San Francisco were established. These three coworkings were the major pioneers that paved the way for the global coworking phenomenon. The rise of coworking spaces in Pakistan started in 2015 and now about 500 coworking spaces (a rough estimate) in Pakistan and globally about 35000 coworking and will be 42000 by the end of 2024 are currently working. This rapid growth reflects the increasing popularity of coworking spaces as collaborative and innovative work options.

Benefits of Coworking Spaces for Startups

Coworking spaces offer a treasure trove of benefits for startups, fostering an environment that fuels growth and collaboration. Following are the key advantages of coworking spaces for startups along with examples:

1. Cost-Effectiveness and Flexibility:

For young startups, it is difficult to rent a traditional office as it comes with big financial problems but coworking space in Pakistan eliminates the heavy cost of furniture, maintenance, utilities, etc.

For example, A data analyst startup with 3-member team in Lahore, can find a coworking space with a cost of Rs 5000 per person per month which is not a big deal.

2. Networking and Collaboration Opportunities:

Isolation can be a creativity killer for startups, Agnes Martin (an American psychiatrist) says that 

“The worst cruelty that can be inflicted on a human being is isolation.” 

But, coworking spaces offer a wide number of freelancers, entrepreneurs, and professionals. For Example, There is a marketing startup struggling with their social media marketing campaign but striking up a conversion with a social media expert in a coworking space can be a helpful option as they might find a valuable collaborator and a potential client as well.

3. Professional Work Environment:

Maintaining a professional work environment is very important for developers and freelancers and working from home can be riddled with distractions but a coworking space provides a professional work environment. 

For example, a team of programmers can work better in a coworking space with full attention without any distractions than working remotely. 

Coworking spaces offer a unique blend of affordability, collaboration, and flexibility. This makes them a perfect launchpad for startups in Pakistan and around the world, allowing them to thrive in a dynamic and supportive environment.

Business Environment in Pakistan

With the valley of opportunities, startups do face challenges in the business sector in Pakistan. Securing Funding, infrastructure issues like high-speed internet connectivity, proper transportation networks, finding qualified and experienced employees and limited marketing access are the major challenges that are making young startups difficult to work with. Besides this government has launched many initiatives for startups and provided support to entrepreneurs. Along with private organizations, the government offers seed funding and financial grants to support young and promising startups. Special Economic Zones (SEZs) provide tax benefits, streamlined regulations, and infrastructure support to attract businesses. 

There is a surge in the growth of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Many venture capital firms and angel investors are showing growing interest in the Pakistani startup scene. Many universities have established incubation centers that provide mentorship, funding opportunities, and co-working spaces to help student startups flourish. 

Case Studies: Successful Startups in Coworking Spaces

To illustrate the impact of coworking, let’s explore real-life examples from all over the world. 

1. Instagram:

Instagram, the current biggest social media platform, started from a coworking space Dogpatch Labs in San Fransisco. Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger established this company in 2010. They worked for 8 weeks on the mobile App and launched it for #andriod and #ios. They not only took over the whole social media but also caught the attention of Meta as well, which resulted in a massive $1 billion acquisition.

2. Spotify:

Do you know that Spotify has also emerged from a coworking space named Rocket Space based in San Fransisco. It was founded by  Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon in 2006 and has since revolutionized the music industry. Currently, Spotify has about 615 million users.

3. Uber:

One of the biggest International ride-sharing app Uber also started its journey from a coworking space to meet the Taxi challenges of San Fransisco and after some time they expanded their team and moved to Rocket Space ( a Tech focused space in San Fransisco)

Additionally, Indiegogo, ML1, Hootsuite, Ofo, and many more have chosen coworking spaces as a startup.

In conclusion, startups in Pakistan are increasingly opting for coworking spaces, drawn by the myriad benefits they offer. From flexibility and cost-effectiveness to networking opportunities and access to resources, coworking spaces provide startups with the support they need to thrive in a challenging business environment. 

I invite you to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. How have coworking spaces influenced your startup journey? Let’s continue this conversation and explore the endless possibilities that coworking holds for startups in Pakistan.

If you’re ready to experience the benefits of coworking firsthand, don’t hesitate to book a tour at our coworking space in Johar town, DHA in Lahore. Your journey toward startup success starts here.