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businesses and entrepreneurs ready to take the next step and stop working from home. This setup allows entrepreneurs
and freelancers to still work for themselves but not by themselves and gives them the opportunity to work with like-
minded people and with a better internet connection. Usually there are additional services and support for the startups
in this community workspace environment. There are usually jazzy kitchens, watering holes with beer on tap or free wine
combined with weekly events that are in place with the goal to foster the community, knowledge sharing and creating
business opportunities through new networks, innovation, and accountability. Generally, you have access to all the
amenities the virtual office members have along with the option to “rent” a dedicated desk within this space. WARNING:
some older companies are trying to keep up with trends and stay relevant by throwing some desks in their lobby and
calling it “Coworking space”; not so my friends, not so.

HOTDESK While I haven’t seen this term used in the office spaces in the Houston area, I do want to address it just in case
you do run across it. Hotdesking is simply finding a desk within an office space (typically Corporate), which seems to be
along the same concept as co-working spaces but without the community and collaboration. This term is reserved
primarily for corporate, established businesses who have additional desks within their space to utilize on a rotating system.
“Hotdesk” does not carry the same positive connotation that Coworking and Shared workspaces have.
SHARED WORKSPACES differ from Coworking spaces because they cater to more established businesses who can pay
more for dedicated office space. They still follow the trendy office space concept and usually have the Coworking spaces
sprinkled throughout the floorplan but primarily are split into traditional private offices. Shared offices can be found in
spaces from large business centers which offer other workspace solutions, like private and virtual offices, or it can be a
standalone building with less offerings. Again, you have access to all the amenities the virtual office members have in
addition to the following:

• Flexible workspace (Grow/Contract as needed) • Cost savings from Traditional Office Leases
• Increase of Conference Room Usage/Rental • Provides community when it is convenient for
options you

I need to address INCUBATORS and ACCELERATORS because if you google shared workspace, the results will include these
coworking and shared office spaces. These spaces are generally not open to anyone not enrolled in their program. There
is normally an application for both program times to ensure the business meets the criteria and/or mission.

INCUBATORS If you are a startup, then an
incubator may be something to consider. If
you are looking for a mentoring opportunity
to help you bring your idea to the
marketplace and have no business plan,
model or direction, you might want to
consider a local incubator. Not only will a
business incubator help you with the
beginning stages of your business, these
programs are also a great way to gain access
to investors (angel investors, government
grants, economic-development coalitions to
name a few).

When going through an incubator program,
the focus is on successfully mentoring and
nurturing a startup and will have goals and
milestones but not specifically timeline or

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