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London has the most developed venture capital industry and is the number one city in Europe for start-ups and scale-ups according to the EDCi (European Digital City Index). The city has over 300,000 start-ups companies that currently employ nearly two million people (Start-up hubs EU).
While working to innovate in various industries – where are some of the best places to do so? Over the next five weeks we will be breaking down the start-up co-working spaces by locations in London.
A bit about them: In 2002 Bleddyn Williams needed desk space for an affordable price and noticed a gap in the market. By renting out a larger office space, Williams was able to rent out desks to many creative individuals at a fair price. Since 2002 Williams has grown Rentadesk and it now offers a lot of space throughout Central London.
Member perks: Rentadesk is open 24/7, requires no deposit, has free meeting areas, free WiFi and best of all free snacks!
What we love: The prices are particularly fair for any kind of worker. Offering hot desking space for as little as £95 a month, private desks for £395 a month and private offices for as little as £1580. You can also rent with ease as they offer a free seven day trial on all memberships. Learn more about pricing here.
A bit about them: The Soho Collective is a gorgeous boutique co-working and events space located in the centre of the action. Everyone is welcome to join the Soho Collective and it currently hosts many journalists, PR agents, designers, filmmakers and event organisers.
Member perks: Offering all of the usual perks of tea, coffee and cakes, but also throwing in lunches, regular drinks and birthday mash-ups. Permanent members also get to use the first floor event space free of charge.
What we love: Mentoring is a huge something the Soho Collective take very seriously, and it is something freelancers often view as lacking when in a co-working space. The Soho Collective encourages anyone with specific dilemmas and questions to speak up and anyone with the extra skills to lend a hand.
A bit about them: Sohost was started as a way to reduce the cost of co-working with an all-inclusive once a month fee. It is a relaxed and energised workplace that has been designed to evolve your business and brand. Set on the famous Berwick Street Market, where you will find inspiration at every turn.
Member perks: You’ll always have a dedicated desk (no more hot desking), storage, meeting rooms, internet, stationary and Organic Fair Trade Ethiopian coffee. Brunch is served every Friday and there are always regular drinks to attend.
What we love: Sohost’s commitment to the environment is something to be admired. They use green energy, offer fair trade food and drink, full recycling service, fresh air, re purposed and locally made furniture and they have a commitment to the neighbourhood by setting up their own market stall to evolve co-working across traders.
A bit about them: Founded by James Layfield in 2010 with the purpose of creating flexible working spaces suited to the growth of your business. Not just in Shoreditch, Central Working is spread across London with other offices in Liverpool Street, Farringdon, Paddington and Central London.
Member perks: The Shoreditch location shares a beautiful courtyard and BBQ area with Google Campus for great networking opportunities, showers for runners and cyclists, WiFi, printing, 2 hr access, free coffee, private phone and Skype booths and plenty of break out spaces.
What we love: Take a break from an office and work outside! The courtyard offers full WiFi access so you can work and take in some fresh air.
A bit about them: Huckletree Shoreditch brings together London’s creative, tech and finance professionals for the perfect start-up mix. Space is offered on an application only basis, to freelancers, entrepreneurs, start-ups, bigger businesses, investors and agencies. Huckletree also has two other locations in Clerkenwell and White City.
Member perks: Networking events, weekly learning breakfasts, yoga and meditation, standing desks, bike ramps, relaxed corners, showers and lockers and meeting rooms.
What we love: Not only do you get all of the above perks, Huckletree Shoreditch also have Basketball and Squash Courts. We couldn’t think of a better way to spend your lunch break!
A bit about them: This unique environment aims to get technology start-ups up and running faster. A global community for tech focused entrepreneurs with locations in seven international cities, creating the perfect space for collaboration, learning and fun.
Member perks: Emergency stationery, limitless toast and coffee, secure WiFi and a buzzing community network. There’s access to a whole spectrum of TechHub events such as ‘Demo Night’, where you can hear from successful founders, the ‘Interns Out’ event where you can find interns to help your team, member drinks and weekly breakfasts. TechHub also help with start-up publicity by providing members with introductions to national press and media.
What we love: There is a high level of support offered, especially following their recent partnership with Google For Entrepreneurs. TechHub offers programmes such as Google mentors, Entrepreneur Exchange programmes, Cloud Platform credits for qualifying start-ups – to name a few!
A bit about them: Work.Life believe in the power of face-to-face collaboration. They opened in 2015 were founded by Elliot Gold and David Kosky. Camden was the first space to open and now they have expanded to Bermondsey and London Fields.
Member perks: Super-fast Wi-Fi, unlimited coffee, fresh fruit, access seven days a week, mood booths and breakout spaces, standing and sitting desks.
What we love: The fun stuff! Work.Life make sure every day is different offering food tastings, regular member drinks, on site visiting masseuse, local discounts and more.
A bit about them: Interchange is an all-inclusive co-working space spread across three buildings in Camden. The main focus of Interchange is to help entrepreneurs and creatives take their business to the next level.
Member perks: Beautifully designed spaces by Tom Dixon, Interchange is an organic accelerator, they provide over £1m of free software and support, 24/7 networking on ground and online, large networking events and delicious inclusive food and coffee.
What we love: The wide range of events. Interchange offers such a diverse selection of events that are open to members and the public from live music, exercise classes, self-improvement classes and more!
A bit about them: Collective is a registered charity providing workspace, courses and collaboration spaces. They provide free hot-desking and subsidised offices for start-ups and training academies. Collective relies on donations and sponsorships and to gain a free desk there is an application process accessible here.
Member perks: Wifi, kitchen space, meeting rooms, 24/7 access, lockers, event space, cycle parking and board rooms.
What we love: Camden Collective offers an opportunity for entrepreneurs and start-ups to really get their foot in the door without worrying as much about the costs that can be involved.