Groundwork! is a coworking space located in New Bedford, MA that aims to support entrepreneurship in the city. It provides entrepreneurs, freelancers, and startups with shared office space, resources, and educational events to promote collaboration. Groundwork! hopes to revitalize New Bedford's economy by creating a hub where innovators can work, meet, and gain access to mentors and investors. It is founded by two friends who see the potential for creativity and community in New Bedford.

1. Groundwork!
Work together. Grow together.
1213 Purchase St. 2nd
Floor New Bedford, MA | newbedfordcoworking.com | info@newbedfordcoworking.com
OUR MISSION is to support an innovation ecosystem in New Bedford,
by creating a physical hub where entrepreneurs can gather, work,
and gain access to education and resources.

2. Groundwork!
Work together. Grow together.
1213 Purchase St. 2nd
Floor New Bedford, MA | newbedfordcoworking.com | info@newbedfordcoworking.com
What?
Groundwork! is New Bedford's first coworking space.
A coworking space is an affordable and inspiring
shared office environment for creatives, startups, and
freelancers. Members enjoy ample lighting and
comfortable work stations with fast internet, printing
and mailing services, and free coffee and snacks.
We also program educational and social events to
promote collaboration and partnerships among
members, supporting and nurturing a healthy economy
of small businesses and independent contractors in New
Bedford.
We believe that if we work together, we will grow
together.

3. Groundwork!
Work together. Grow together.
1213 Purchase St. 2nd
Floor New Bedford, MA | newbedfordcoworking.com | info@newbedfordcoworking.com
Where?
We're located in the Quest Center in downtown New Bedford. The Quest Center building is
also home to the New Bedford Economic Development Council, the Massachusetts Small
Business Development Council, and Interise, so Groundwork! members have close proximity
to resources for entrepreneurs.
New Bedford's downtown is re-emerging as a vibrant urban area, with new restaurants, cafes,
a busy seaport, and established arts scene. Having lost many of it's manufacturing jobs, New
Bedford has been slow to adpot to new economic growth and is in need of a redevelopment
strategy. The mission of Groundwork! is to support New Bedford's resurgance by providing a
physical hub where entrepreneurs can meet, work, and gain access to education and
resources.
“My job sometimes brings me to more trendy places
like New York City and Silicon Valley. They are great
places, but I find them a bit phony at times. New
Bedford has a realness to it. We all know that it’s not
perfect, but it’s a one-of-a-kind place filled with
many creative and hard-working people.”
-Doug Lane, AppSense, Groundwork! Member

4. Groundwork!
Work together. Grow together.
1213 Purchase St. 2nd
Floor New Bedford, MA | newbedfordcoworking.com | info@newbedfordcoworking.com
Why?
Coworking spaces serve as a
physical hub for the startup
community as well as a focal
point for mentors, investors,
and others who want to be
involved. Coworking spaces
also create an environment
of repeated, face-to-face
interaction that fosters both
collaboration and
competition, two important
factors in a successful
startup ecosystem.
Additionally, coworking
spaces offer educational
workshops and lectures, an
essential component in
building a lively community
of entrepreneurs.

5. Groundwork!
Work together. Grow together.
1213 Purchase St. 2nd
Floor New Bedford, MA | newbedfordcoworking.com | info@newbedfordcoworking.com
UpGlobal, a non-profit dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship, recently published a white paper
outlining the key components of an innovation ecosystem. The paper cited a coworking space, or
physical hub, as crucial for creating the density and culture needed to support and attract innovators to
a given city.
A 2012 survey published by Deskmag found the following:
✔ 71% report a boost in creativity since joining a coworking space
✔ 62% said their standard of work had improved in a coworking space
✔ Almost 90% of coworkers report an increase in self-confidence
✔ 70% of coworkers feel healthier than they did working in a
traditional office
40% of the workforce is expected to be freelancers, temps,
independent contractors, and solopreneurs by 2020.
Why?

6. Groundwork!
Work together. Grow together.
1213 Purchase St. 2nd
Floor New Bedford, MA | newbedfordcoworking.com | info@newbedfordcoworking.com
Who?
Founders
Groundwork! is the creation of two close friends,
Sarah Athanas and Dena Haden. We grew up on
Cape Cod, painting murals together in high
school art class and dreaming about the day
when we would be free to build our adult lives
around our passions. When Sarah recently
returned to Massachusetts after several years of
living abroad, our discussions quickly turned to
the fact that as adults, we feel we are lacking a
community that supports the creative lifestyle we
envision. We believe that if we join forces with
other freelancers, artists, and entrepreneurs, we
can tap into unlimited talent, energy, and power
to create a truly sustainable local economy.
Partners
We're supported by the New Bedford Economic
Council, the City of New Bedford, and the
MassDevelopment Collaborative Workspace
Program.
Groundwork! is a member of the Workbar
network, giving our members access to Workbar
office space, events, and professional networking
in Boston, Cambridge, and beyond.
We are also partnering with local organizations
and businesses who are invested in the future of
New Bedford, including: Interise, EforAll, New
Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce, and the
Workforce Investment Board.
“
The Groundwork and Workbar partnership in New Bedford
demonstrates our commitment to innovation as a driver for
future economic growth.”
- Jon Mitchell, Mayor of New Bedford

7. Groundwork!
Work together. Grow together.
1213 Purchase St. 2nd
Floor New Bedford, MA | newbedfordcoworking.com | info@newbedfordcoworking.com
Who?
Members
Our diverse membership includes local businesses, entrepreneurs,
and remote workers. Some of the industries represented at
Groundwork! Include IoT (Internet of Things), web design and
development, marketing and advertising, the non-profit sector,
technology, and film and video production.
Media
Read our coverage in South Coast Today:
Co-working space to open this fall in New Bedford
Renovations set to start as Quest Center co-working site moves forward
We all work with and for people. What else is there?
Being at Groundwork! has been a valuable source of
energy. Every day.”
-Chris Rezendes, INEX Advisors, Groundwork! Member“

8. Groundwork!
Work together. Grow together.
1213 Purchase St. 2nd
Floor New Bedford, MA | newbedfordcoworking.com | info@newbedfordcoworking.com
How?
Build community. Educate and
spread the
vision.
Program
meaningful
events.
Create an inspiring
physical hub &
workplace.
The currency of tomorrow's businesses in our region is engaged community partners
who exercise and demonstrate effective communication, collaboration and commitment
to common goals. Goundwork! is helping to make this happen.”
-Anthony Baird, Director of Corporate Programs Development, Umass Dartmouth
“

9. Groundwork!
Work together. Grow together.
1213 Purchase St. 2nd
Floor New Bedford, MA | newbedfordcoworking.com | info@newbedfordcoworking.com
When?
The Groundwork! BETA Space opened on December 1, 2015 and is currently home to 11
members.
The Groundwork! main space is targeted to open July 1, 2015, with a capacity of 72 members.
We are targeting 60% capacity by November 2015.
For more information:
Contact Sarah Athanas:
sarah@newbedfordcoworking.com
508-209-4887
Visit our website:
Http://newbedfordcoworking.com
Watch a video:
https://vimeo.com/102484501