Co-Working Space Launches in Lafayette
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA $1.5 million facility designed to boost entrepreneurship in downtown Lafayette is now open. The MatchBOX Coworking Studio is billed as the first-of-its-kind in the city and includes a coffee shop and room for 100 members. In January, Tippecanoe County Commissioners approved $500,000 in funding for the project. During a segment that will are this weekend on Inside INdiana Business Television, Co-Founder Jason Tennenhouse discusses what makes the studio unique. News Release
Originally Distributed April 4, 2014
LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The public is invited to participate in the launch of MatchBOX Coworking Studio, 17 S. Sixth St., Suite X, a first-of-its-kind facility in Greater Lafayette. Public events, all on Friday, April 11, include: grand opening activities at 11 a.m., an open house with tours from 1 to 3 p.m., and an interactive outdoor art unveiling at 8 p.m.
“This marks a new era of startup opportunity, innovation and support,” said Dennis Carson, director of economic development for the city of Lafayette. The operations manager for MatchBOX is Ashley Scott.
MatchBOX Coworking Studio is a nonprofit venture overseen by MatchBOX LLC, a subsidiary of Lafayette Urban Enterprise Association. Partners include the city of Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Greater Lafayette Commerce, Lafayettech, Purdue Foundry, Purdue University and Tippecanoe County Public Library. Sponsors include Ivy Tech Community College – Lafayette and Wintek Corp., with more to be announced during opening activities.
About Co-working
A 21st century movement, co-working, often dubbed “coworking,” brings together a community of people who independently and collaboratively pursue creative concepts and activities, share facility space and benefit from access to and interaction with others interested in new ideas and entrepreneurialism. This differs from accelerator space or incubators, where existing small businesses work to move to the next level, and it goes well beyond shared office space, where individuals or businesses work independently while pitching in to cover expenses.
About MatchBOX
MatchBOX Coworking Studio is a nonprofit venture that draws together creative people pursuing new ideas. It is leasing 10,000 square feet of a single-story building at 17 S. Sixth St., Suite X, Lafayette, owned by Tippecanoe County Public Library, which uses about 4,000 square feet elsewhere in the building. Space is flexible, configured similarly to successful co-working facilities operating elsewhere. It includes 15 reserved, flexible desks, and room for about 100 others to work in open areas. The shared space is conducive to working as well as interactions and exchanges. Memberships require a $99 one-time setup fee, with monthly fees from $30 for basic use to $180 a month for reserved desk space. Access is available 24/7.
Source: MatchBOX Coworking Studio