The Exchange provides a platform connecting startups seeking flexible office space with companies having underutilized workspace. This releases underused commercial real estate onto the market, lowering startup costs while integrating them into business communities. The Exchange benefits space-seeking startups through affordable, flexible options, and benefits space-providing companies by filling excess capacity and connecting with startup energy. It ultimately aims to foster cross-industry collaboration and strengthen innovation hubs through expanded coworking opportunities.

1. Workplace
Exchange July
Accessible workspace 2012
+
Integrated community

2. The Exchange connects:
Startups
What is the
Exchange?
+
Flexible office space
within host companies
For
External Coworking

3. What Does Releases underutilized office space onto the market
the Drives down the cost of startup office space
Exchange
Do?
Integrates startups with the broader business
community through co-location
Creates collaborative opportunities for companies
across industries and stages of development

4. Who Space Seekers (Startups):
•Unstable and hard to project – need flexibility
benefits •Working on a budget – need affordability
•Unattractive to brokers – need self-serve
from •Thrive in communities of other entrepreneurs
the Space Providers (Growth mode startups):
•Sign leases with growth in mind – carry extra space
Exchange? •Have a lot to worry about – need support in sublease
•Like to pay it forward and appreciate startup energy
Innovation Center Cities:
•Often have low vacancy rates and high real estate prices
•Resource rich environments benefit from more integration
•Derive value from high “bump rates”

5. Cross-industry collaboration
Where • Workbar – Established coworking center
does it • Boston World Partnerships – Non-profit economic
come from?
development organization
• Boston World Partnerships Connectors – Boston
business community volunteers
• MassChallenge – World’s largest startup accelerator
• City of Boston/Innovation District: City government

6. Business Community
Stakeholders
In Innovation Cities
The Startup World
Creative
Space Providers

7. 1
Easy to participate
COOL
External
Coworking 2
More than space... space + community
INNOVATIVE
3
Streamline and productize matching
Aspirations
ORKING CROSS-
4
Business incentives for hosts
NEWCOW
COM ANY
P
COLLABORATION!

8. s +
s aving
+ cost t
m unity suppor
Com admin
Space Providers
How it
Works
Vitality Workspace
Exchange + +
Work Collaboration collaboration
space +
m em + Wo
bersh rkbar Rent
ip
Startups
New
mem communi
bers
+ rev ty
enue

9. • High office occupancy cities open up more office
Long Term opportunities for everyone
Impact • Startups have access to more affordable and flexible
space in innovation clusters
• Stronger connections among startups and established
companies create collaboration and business
opportunities