SquareOne Technology Incubator and Co-Working Space Success Story

Nanaimo

The Challenge

For the community

High tech jobs are critical to stimulate and diversify local and regional economies, and allow people to work and live in affordable areas such as the Nanaimo region. Jobs in this industry are well paying and have significant spin-off multiplier effects.

For tech companies

For many startup businesses and freelance technology professionals, the distractions inherent in working from home are a challenge. Alternatively, the costs associated with finding conventional office space can be a barrier to the success. In order for emerging companies to establish themselves in their field, meet potential clients and investors, and cultivate momentum in their business growth, a clean, modern and affordable space is required. Finally, the tech industry in particular is vulnerable to isolation, with professionals and startups in that space longing for networking opportunities, peer learning and the sharing of ideas. This is especially a challenge for home-based tech startups.

Benefits

SquareOne Technology Incubator and Co-Working Space is a community that provides tech entrepreneurs the perfect place to communicate, develop and grow ideas alongside like-minded individuals. Whatever your idea may be, SquareOne provides an open, transparent atmosphere for tech entrepreneurs who share the same interests, motivations and passions.

SquareOne is a place that keeps our companies’ entrepreneurial passion fueled. If you need a cup of coffee for that extra giddy up, we have it covered. We look forward to sharing high five’s within our extended community to celebrate those daily wins.

We support growing needs of companies through a network of professional services, people and ideas to keep them moving forward and ready to tackle the next opportunity.

Through its core values of community, openness, and collaboration, SquareOne is building an eco-system for tech-based businesses within the beautiful and desirable location of central Vancouver Island. This allows continuous support to the local economy through the stimulation of jobs, ideas and networks throughout all of Vancouver Island and beyond.

Outcomes

• Hosting events and workshops by Futurprenuer (business plans), MNP (business cashflow), Social Sticks (social media training), Minister Virk (BC Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services), Startup Weekend (internationally recognized startup event), and many more
• Attracting private sponsorship from Nanaimo’s business community, including Vancouver Island University (SquareOne’s premier sponsor), Shaw Business, Integral Wealth Management, Hub International, D.B.L. and Hazelwood Construction
• Home to a wide range of budding and successful entrepreneurs, freelancers and startup teams, including Input Logic (winner of Evernote DevCup in Dublin, Ireland), Metalab, Cornerstone Digital, iDUS Controls, Filter Studios, Jeff Maciejko, RedScotch Software, JAS Projects, and more

Lessons Learned

• Developing meaningful partnerships with local community support organizations is vital for success
• Cultivating a dynamic culture that is fundamentally different than traditional office spaces is important, and will require constant communication with members of the co-working space
• Earning the support of policy makers and elected officials is important, as this can serve as both a success platform for them, and a conduit of opportunity for the space
• Tapping into the networks of the existing tenants is important for attracting new entrepreneurs into the space
• Hosting events is an excellent way to gain exposure for the co-working space