8 Reasons Why Kansas City Coworking Works

"Coworking spaces only belong in Silicon Valley."

"There aren't any coworking spaces in Kansas City."

"Coworking is just a fad."

False. False. False. 

Working in a shared and collaborative coworking space has become a trend for entrepreneurs and small business owners alike.  But these coworking spots are not just popping up in Silicon Valley or tech hubs like Boston and Austin.  Coworking spaces are everywhere; from Denver to Nashville, New Orleans to Omaha.  And of course, there are a few dynamite coworking spaces in Kansas City. 

But of all cities, why cowork in the City of Fountains?  There are 8 great reasons why Kansas City coworking may be just what you need.

1. Kansas City is creative
With the Kansas City Maker Faire, the KC Chamber Innovation Conference and many other creative events, companies, and people, Kansas City is bursting with creativity and innovation.  Come see the creativity for yourself in any of Kansas City's coworking spaces.

2. Kansas City is tight-knit
Kansas City is big enough to make an impact, but small enough to remain a tight-knit community.  That means that Kansas City is a friendly, neighborly city in the heart of America.

3. Kansas City is thriving
Google Fiber.  Zaarly.  Think Big Partners.  These are just a few examples of the new implementations that are catching some major attention in Kansas City.  These additions to KC prove that the city is growing and thriving, making it the ideal spot to cowork.

4. Kansas City is busy
With dozens of daily networking events, launch parties, cocktail receptions and banquets, Kansas City is always in hustle-and-bustle mode.  That means that there are hundreds of people to meet, places to see and events to attend.

5. Kansas City is entrepreneurially strong
Kansas City has a vibrancy to it and much of it comes from the startups that have launched in the area.  From hundreds of local restaurants to thriving startup companies, Kansas City is becoming a hub for entrepreneurs and small businesses alike. 

6. Kansas City has history
Although KC is strong when it comes to startups and entrepreneurship, it is also rich in big business history.  From Helzberg to H&R Block to Hallmark (the 3 big H's), Kansas City knows how to take a small businesses and make them go down in history.

7. Kansas City is refreshing
Get away from the superficialities of the Silicon Valley area and steer clear of the smog taking over Boston and come to Kansas City to cowork!  If you need a step away from the obvious tech hubs of the nation, Kansas City is the city to cowork in.

8. Kansas City has the space
Currently, Kansas City has three very different coworking spaces.  Innovation Cafe, Officeport and bizperc all target unique entrepreneurs, freelancers and small business owners who are looking to network, think outside the box and of course...cowork.

Read More: Which KC Coworking Space is Right For Me?

Written by Allison Way
@AllisonThinkBig

Kansas City Coworking Spaces

In a recent study conducted by Deskwanted, it was found that it is cheaper to work at a coworking space than in a coffee shop.  Although prices do vary from city to city, one thing is for sure: coworking is worth it.  Entrepreneurs, startup companies, freelancers and small business owners can greatly benefit from carrying out day-to-day business in coworking spaces.  But where are the coworking spaces in Kansas City?  Do they even exist?

Of course they do.  In fact, Kansas City is the home of three innovative coworking spaces.    

bizperc

1800 Baltimore

Kansas City, MO 64108

Bringing a fresh, innovative, and collaborative approach to Kansas City coworking, the bizperc office space was opened in August of 2010 to support entrepreneurs, startup companies and small businesses.  Located in the heart of the thriving and eclectic Crossroads Arts District, bizperc is the home of many startups and established Kansas City businesses.  Powered by Think Big Partners, bizperc provides on-site startup resources (i.e. legal, web design, logo design, accounting, marketing, PR and much more), a productivity center, meeting rooms, event space, free coffee, and a Wi-Fi enabled rooftop garden.  But there’s more to bizperc than meets the eye: the team behind bizperc has strategically built it so that every entrepreneur’s needs are met—from incorporating natural light to providing sound masking capabilities, from handing out a version of 5-Hour Energy to setting up a video/audio suite—bizperc has it all.  For more information or to book a tour, please visit bizperc.com or call 816-842-5244.

OfficePort

208 W. 19^th Street (among others)

Kansas City, MO 64108

As one of the first coworking spaces to hit Kansas City, OfficePort (located in the Crossroads Arts District and the heart of the River Market) is best defined as an open, supportive, and affordable workspace for entrepreneurs, freelancers and small businesses.  With an unfinished and techy ambiance, OfficePort is far from the stuffy, traditional and corporate workplace. Housing over 30 successful small businesses among its three locations (the 3^rd location is in Chicago), OfficePort is the ideal home for someone who wants to collaborate, cowork and “weave” with others.  To check out OfficePort for yourself, visit officeportnetwork.com or call 816-994-7311 (Crossroads location).

Innovation Café

2029 Wyandotte

Kansas City, MO 64108

The newest coworking space in Kansas City is Innovation Café which launched at the beginning of this month.  As a workplace for today’s entrepreneurs, freelancers, and virtual agencies, Innovation Café welcomes all industries: from software companies to designers, from freelancers to engineers.  Although Innovation Café only opened a few weeks ago, the coworking space already houses five growing companies from a variety of different industries.  Additionally, Innovation Café offers an event space that is expected to be quite popular for launch parties, private parties and networking get-togethers.  For a closer look at Innovation Café, visit icafekc.com or call 816-994-9140.

Take your pick, Kansas City entrepreneurs.  There are three inspiring and modern coworking spaces out there that will not only help to grow your startup idea, but will cost less than working out of Starbucks! 

Written by Allison Way.

@AllisonThinkBig.