Coworking spaces offer a cost-effective way for freelancers and small businesses to have a focused and structured work environment from which to operate. Benn van der Westhuizen spotlights some of Johannesburg’s winning shared office spaces which inspire creativity and prompt greater success through networking across different fields.

 LIGHTHOUSE STUDIO

Lighthouse Studio is geared up for serious business. The spacious and contemporary coworking space is located in Rivonia, a mere 10 minutes away from the Sandton CBD epicentre.

Tenants can expect a well-oiled and professional support system with reception services from Monday to Friday, speedy Fibre internet, a business address, print and scanning facilities, and safe and secure parking. The courteous crew at Lighthouse Studio also offer add-ons which include access to their in-house boardroom for brainstorming or a conference call, access to their Business Leadership Library, back-up wi-fi, and secure document storage. What sets the Lighthouse Studio apart from the rest is their unique approach to arm their tenants with the necessary business tools and tips to get ahead. Think weekly complimentary consulting with a business coach to fine-tune productivity, growth and networking skills.

The coworking space also hosts regular get-togethers to connect their community with other business-minded people and companies.

Lighthouse Studio is also home to a cosy rooftop event space and boasts competitive rates for photoshoots and videoblogs.

Workspace Options (all prices exclude VAT):

Hot Desks from R500 per day: incl. an available desk space, 1hr access to the boardroom, and free hot beverages
Weekly package from R1500 per week: incl. an available desk space, 1hr per day access to the boardroom, and free hot beverages
Monthly package from R4150 per month: incl. a dedicated desk space, boardroom usage, and free hot beverages
Quarterly package from R10 500 per month: incl. a dedicated desk space, boardroom usage, and free hot beverages
Event Space – price on request: incl. furniture, technical equipment, and on-site events manager

Venue: Sandton

Tel: 010 005 3278 | Email: [email protected] | Website: lighthousestudio.co.za 

Facebook: @lighthousestudiorivonia

IMPACT HUB

Impact Hub is a shared office space in Rosebank, teeming with minimalist mood and decor motifs, while still offering a stimulating environment for individuals and companies. Tenants gain access to the contemporary workspace and amenities on offer, along with a host of benefits such as invitations to their regular member-only networking events, and an Impact Global Passport. But the trump card at Impact Hub is their monthly Hub Hustle meetups. This session is open to the public, and the July instalment is themed around business development. Lana Lovasic, co-founder of Impact Hub Joburg, and guest experts explore ways to fine-tune your networking skills, accelerate your business growth, and deliver the perfect pitch.

CEO Thandi Allin Dyani and her partners launched the South African division of Impact Hub as a platform to encourage collaboration across different businesses, cultures and generations. Beyond the co-working space, Impact Hub runs a variety of programmes to empower start-ups and established corporates with the know-how to help realise their concepts. The organisation is boosted by an extensive global network with stations in Lagos, Accra, Dubai and parts of the United Kingdom, United States, Asia and South America.

Workspace Options:

Hub 1-day Membership from R550 per month: incl. individual access to open plan coworking working zones for 1 day per week, 4hrs of meeting room access, and 10% discount off boardroom and event space bookings
Hub 3-day Membership from R1300 per month: incl. individual access to open plan coworking working zones for 3 days per week, 12hrs of meeting room access, and 15% discount off boardroom and event space bookings
Unlimited Membership from R2550 per month: incl. 24/7 individual access to open plan coworking working zones per month, 20hrs of meeting room access, 10hrs of boardroom access, 20% off event space bookings and the use of Impact Hub address
Impact Membership from R250 per month: incl. 24/7 individual access to open plan coworking working zones per month, 12hrs of meeting room access, 20% off event space bookings and the use of Impact Hub address
Team Office from R8000 per month: incl. private office space suitable for a team of 2-6 professionals, 20hrs of meeting room access, 10hrs of boardroom access, and 20% off event space bookings

Venue: Rosebank

Tel: 011 048 2542 | Email: [email protected] | Website: johannesburg.impacthub.net 

Facebook: @impacthubjoburg | Twitter: @impacthubjoburg

THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE

With 5 locations, one in Sandton and Morningside, and two in Rosebank and an outpost in Maurtius, The Business Exchange is the bigwig of Johannesburg’s coworking spaces. The chic and contemporary office space underscores the operational needs of small, medium and larger enterprises with a laundry list of amenities and plus points. Other than their standard services such as printing, reception support and high-speed internet, unique add-ons such as month-to-month contract terms, customised or branded workspace options, and 24/7 access coupled with IT technician support posits the group ahead of the pack. And for a touch of class and creativity, each of the venues boasts an internationally curated art collection.

CEO, David Seinker, explains: ‘Large companies can cut their lease expenditure by 50% by choosing serviced workspaces, but the benefits are far more reaching than just cost saving.’ And with that ethos in mind, The Business Exchange developed its in-house app not only as a value-added benefit for members but also a platform to encourage a sense of entrepreneurial camaraderie.  Users have access to the TBE community which covers all four branches in Jozi, banner advertising and promotion opportunities and exclusive networking events.

Workspace Options:

Platinum Membership from R500 per person: incl. access to open plan coworking working zones for 2 days per month, 2hrs of boardroom bookings per month, and free use of event space
Black Membership from R800 per person: incl. access to open plan coworking working zones for 4 days per month, 4hrs of boardroom bookings per month, and free use of event space
Co-working from R2000 per month: incl. 24/7 access to open plan working zones, 5hrs of boardroom bookings per month, 4 days of private office usage per month, and free use of event space
Private Offices from R9500 per month: Fully furnished and serviced office solutions for 1-100 team members, 2 hours of boardroom bookings per month, customised branded offices, and free use of event space
Event and Meeting Space – price on request: A variety of exclusive spaces, each one accommodating up to 100 people. Features include audio-visual equipment, assistance with catering and bar service, world-renowned art collection on display, and more

Venue: Rosebank CBD | Rosebank | Sandton Central | Morningside

Tel: 021 286 1900 | Email: [email protected] | Website: tbeafrica.com

Facebook: @thebusinessexchange.africa | Twitter: @TBEAfrica | Instagram: @tbeafrica

Nestled in the chic surrounds of 44 on Stanley, JoziHub is an active tech-focused entrepreneurial community on a mission to support Joburg’s diverse and burgeoning entrepreneurial ecosystem. At the centre of this broader community is a bright, modern co-working space and event venue.

One of the biggest advantages of co-working spaces is that rare opportunity to network and build new professional partnerships. The modern, yet comfortable space offers printing facilities, desk spaces, a large boardroom and coffee bar, all geared to inject the energy back into 9-to-5. The coworking space is home to a selection of entrepreneurs, small businesses, creative freelancers and non-profit organisations in various fields. The events space, situated adjacent to the co-working space hosts a number of workshops and networking events. Think a rigorous calendar of over 300 workshops and Entrepreneurial Meetups a year to adapt their members to the ever-changing business and social ecosystem. For their July event, JoziHub will team up with the folks from Legalese for Legal Considerations for Start-Ups, another inspiring and informative Meetup.  This session will raise awareness around South African laws applicable to start-ups and SMEs, and can help in mapping out a more personalised structure for your own business.

Workspace Options:

Ad Hoc Workspace Member from R100 per day: incl. deskspace from 7 am to 5 pm
Resident Workspace Member from R850 per month: incl. a dedicated desk, 24/7 access, 6hrs of boardroom access per month, invitations to events and workshops, and a Google for Entrepreneurs Passport to visit any GFE Network Hub across the globe.
Events and Conferencing Space hire: R10 000/day for corporate rental, R5 000/day for NGOs, and R2 500 for start-up ventures. All rates are negotiable

SPACES JOHANNESBURG

Originating in Amsterdam, Spaces was built on the idea that success breeds more success. It has since spread to over 100 locations worldwide, including five in Joburg, one in each Durban and Pretoria, and four in Cape Town.

Based on a philosophy that ‘work is about people and ideas’, Spaces attracts forward-thinkers, innovators and game-changers who are confident in achieving their goal of creating an energetic community of positive and open-minded business thinkers who love to meet new people. A full programme of professional events brings a focus to the buzz and energy, while the numerous hospitality services give further opportunity for the small business owners, entrepreneurs and corporate intrapreneurs to mingle and to expand their horizons.

Spaces offers a service where members pay for what they use, whether by day, month, year, or whatever is suitable to the individual’s needs. Members have 24-hour worldwide access to all Spaces business clubs, while on a more day-to-day practical level, lockers are available to store bags and valuables throughout the day, as well as phone booths, in which members can take calls privately and avoid disturbing others. And for those wanting a little more space to stretch out, the meeting room can be booked for a few hours or the whole day. The non-negotiables are great coffee, plants, beautiful artwork on the walls, and a place where members can feel comfortable.

THIRDSPACE

Here’s one for all the coffee lovers out there! If you’re tired of feeling like an intruder while sending quotes and invoices in a buzzy coffee shop, thirdspace is the perfect spot for you. This specialty coffee roastery cum coworking space in Craigavon welcomes worker-bees and coffee aficionados with open arms by adding a creative twist to their concept cafe. Patrons automatically gain free access to the open-plan workspace by ordering food and beverages from the eatery – no monthly contracts required. thirdspace also comes prepared for some serious business. Spacious seating, accessible plug points, business-level fibre internet and some swishy boardrooms round out just some of the key amenities on offer.

The real business of this Joburg coworking space, however, is a unique and commendable approach to sourcing and roasting coffee. The coffee trade is an industry shrouded by secrecy and speculation. But with their coffee roastery – Seam Coffee, the duo provides much-needed transparency between the coffee farmer and coffee drinker.  This is achieved by generous trade with their coffee partners in East Africa and beyond who they visit each year during coffee harvest. The fruits of their labour come in the form of a denser cuppa boasting sweet flavours such as chocolate and caramel that develop after roasting the green coffee beans.

Workspace Options:

Open Plan Working Zones – Free: In the spirit of fostering a unique coffee community, sharing of tables is encouraged
Frameless Glass Boardrooms: R350 an hour | R1000 half day | R2000 for a full day

Venue: Craigavon

Tel: 083 696 3003 | Email: [email protected] | Website: thirdspace.co.za 

Facebook: @thirdspace.co.za | Twitter: @thirdspaceza | Instagram: @thirdspace.coffee