San Diego’s Coworking Ecosystem: A Catalyst for Regional Innovation

I’m thrilled to share the expanding collaboration between the San Diego Coworking Alliance and our region’s top innovation organizations.

This partnership represents a powerful alignment of resources that will drive entrepreneurial growth throughout our ecosystem.

SDCA’s independent members—Ansir, Downtown Works, NEST CoWork, Ivy Street CoWork, Aquillius, CoWork + Connect, and Hera Hub—are in discussions or actively collaborating with Startup San Diego, CyberTECH, EvoNexus, TechStars, Connect and other key innovation enablers to create a more cohesive support network for entrepreneurs.

“Coworking has become part of the mainstream fabric that creates economic viability and growth in innovative communities. These collaborative spaces serve as vital connection points that transform ideas into viable ventures through meaningful human interaction,” says Darin Andersen, President of SDCA.

By creating these strategic bridges between coworking communities and established innovation organizations, we’re building pathways for entrepreneurs to access the resources, mentorship, and capital they need at every stage of growth.

This integration of San Diego’s innovation infrastructure represents an exciting new chapter for our city’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Stay tuned for upcoming collaborative events and initiatives!

Darin Andersen
Chairman & Founder

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San Diego CoWorking Alliance Reimagines the Future of Work in America’s Finest City

In the heart of Southern California’s innovation ecosystem, the San Diego CoWorking Alliance (SDCA) is relaunching with renewed vision and expanded partnerships to transform how professionals collaborate in our city. As remote and hybrid work models continue to evolve, SDCA is positioning itself as the leading advocate for collaborative workspaces that foster creativity, community, and entrepreneurial growth.

A Renewed Mission

The San Diego CoWorking Alliance has refreshed its mission to more broadly advocate for the coworking movement across San Diego County. This renewed focus comes at a critical time when professionals are seeking flexible, community-oriented workspaces that bridge the gap between remote isolation and traditional office environments.

“We’re reimagining what coworking means for San Diego’s professionals and entrepreneurs,” says Darin Andersen, President of the alliance. “Our vision extends beyond just shared office space—we’re creating ecosystems where innovation thrives through meaningful connections and collaborative opportunities says Andersen.”

Alliance Members Leading the Way

The SDCA brings together some of San Diego’s most forward-thinking coworking spaces, each offering unique environments and communities while sharing a common vision for the future of work:

  • NEST CoWork: Providing creative spaces designed to inspire innovation
  • Ansir CoWork: Focusing on community-driven entrepreneurial development
  • Aquillius: Offering premium amenities with a focus on wellness and productivity
  • Downtown Works: Centrally located spaces that connect urban professionals
  • Ivy Street CoWork: Creating neighborhood-focused collaborative environments

Each member space maintains its unique identity while benefiting from the collective strength of the alliance, sharing best practices, resources, and a unified voice in the larger business community.

Celebrating National Coworking Day

Mark your calendars: The SDCA is planning a citywide celebration for National Coworking Day in August 6th, 2025. The event will showcase the diverse coworking options throughout San Diego while highlighting the benefits of flexible workspaces for professionals, startups, and established businesses alike.

The celebration will include open houses at member locations, panel discussions featuring successful entrepreneurs who have leveraged coworking environments, and special membership promotions for new community members.

Strategic Partnerships for a Thriving Ecosystem

Understanding that coworking spaces are vital hubs within the larger innovation ecosystem, SDCA is strengthening its partnerships with key organizations including:

  • Startup San Diego: Collaborating on events and resources for early-stage companies
  • CyberTECH: Creating specialized environments for cybersecurity professionals and startups
  • EvoNexus: Partnering on incubation programs that can utilize alliance spaces

These partnerships create a more integrated support network for entrepreneurs at every stage of growth, from ideation to market expansion.

“By aligning with these established organizations, we’re creating clearer pathways for innovators to access the resources they need,” explains Ping Wang from Ansir and also on the Board for Startup San Diego. “A startup might begin at a coworking desk, join an accelerator program, and eventually graduate to their own office—all while staying connected to the community that supported their growth.”

Benefits Beyond Space

The alliance emphasizes that modern coworking offers far more than just desks and WiFi.

Member spaces provide:

  • Professional development workshops and skill-sharing opportunities
  • Networking events that facilitate meaningful connections
  • Wellness programs that address the whole person
  • Access to mentors and subject matter experts
  • Flexible terms that adapt to changing business needs

For freelancers, remote workers, entrepreneurs, and small teams, these benefits create significant advantages over traditional office leases or working from home.

Join the Movement

As San Diego’s economy continues to evolve, the CoWorking Alliance invites professionals from all industries to explore how collaborative workspaces can enhance productivity, creativity, and job satisfaction.

“Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur looking for community, a remote worker seeking a professional environment, or a growing company in need of flexible space, the San Diego CoWorking Alliance has a solution for you,” says the Phelan Riessen. “We invite everyone to visit one of our member locations and experience the difference that thoughtfully designed collaborative spaces can make.”

To learn more about the San Diego CoWorking Alliance and its member spaces, visit https://www.facebook.com/SDCoworking/ or contact any of the member locations directly.

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Nathan Fletcher on COVID-19 Response, SDCounty Board of Supervisors

Nathan Fletcher on COVID-19 Response, SDCounty Board of Supervisors on Seamless Podcast: Smart Cities

Darin and Mike from Seamless Podcast are pleased to welcome previous guest Nathan Fletcher back to the show. Nathan joins us remotely to discuss the current status of COVID-19 response efforts in the San Diego County area, as well as what the broader impacts to our public health and economic systems could look like over the long term.

For more info on COVID-19 in San Diego Covid go here.

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San Diego Coworking Week #SDCOWORKINGWEEK2019

Mark your calendars because San Diego Coworking Week is August 5-9th, 2019! To celebrate the occasion, some amazing San Diego coworking spaces open up their locations for you to experience throughout the week.  This year’s Coworking Week includes a fun launch party at Ugather Cowork, various guest speakers, the Biz Acceleration Expo at Hera Hub and an amazing wrap up party at The Nest.

What you’ll get out of Coworking Week:

  • Experience one coworking location or visit them all throughout the week.
  • Meet entrepreneurs just like you, working to build their businesses.
  • Get out of your house, day job, or coffee shop and try something new.
  • Collaborate with others or work on your own thing.
  • Share your idea and start building your community and network.

We hope you’ll join us for #SDCoworkingWeek19. Visit these coworking spaces for FREE during coworking week 2019:

Monday, August 5th

Launch party at Ugather Cowork – Hillcrest (Open Coworking 9 am – 5 pm | Launch Party 5 pm – 7 pm)
1223 Cleveland Avenue Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92103

Tuesday, August 6th

Ivy Street Cowork – South Park (Open Coworking 9 am – 5 pm)
2986 Ivy Street, San Diego, CA 92104

Wednesday, August 7th

Downtown Works (Open Coworking 9 am – 5 pm + Guest speaker PR Workshop + Move7: on the hour throughout the day roof top stretching, deep breathing and yoga poses)
550 West B Street 4th Floor, San Diego, CA 92101
— & —
Ansir Center at Scale Matrix Launch Center (Open Coworking 9 am – 5 pm)
5795 Kearny Villa Road, San Diego, CA 92123

Thursday, August 8th

Hera Hub – Mission Valley, Sorrento Valley & Carlsbad (Open Coworking | Biz Acceleration Expo)
MV: 8885 Rio San Diego Dr #237, San Diego, CA 92108
SV: 4010 Sorrento Valley Blvd #400, San Diego, CA 92121
CB: 5205 Avenida Encinas Suite A, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Friday, August 9th

The Nest (Open Coworking | AND wrap-up party Friday evening – 6-8pm)
1855 1st Ave #100, San Diego, CA 92101

Anyone who visits each alliance space on the designated day and posts an image of their experience on Instagram, with the hashtag #SDCoworkingPassport AND the tags the location will be qualified to win a one month free trial at any of the 5 participating coworking spaces. (New members only)

RSVP on Facebook and EventBrite.

RSVP
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How Independent Coworking Spaces Can Compete With WeWork

In 2011, Felena Hanson founded the coworking space Hera Hub in San Diego. Not only was the company pioneering in the sense that it offered coworking space — that was a brand-spanking-new concept in those days — it also provided coworking space specifically for female entrepreneurs.

Hera Hub’s female-focused space put it in direct contrast to the “bro” culture at many big-box coworking spaces, Hanson says.

Since 2016, the company has grown through a licensing model. Besides three locations in greater San Diego, it has locations in Washington, D.C., Phoenix and Uppsala, Sweden. Other Hera Hubs are planned for the U.S. and Europe.

Bisnow spoke with Hanson about her concept and why she isn’t worried about competition from the major coworking chains.

Bisnow: How is it that WeWork and other major chains aren’t going to drive independent coworking like yours out of business?

Hanson: Before WeWork opened its first location in downtown San Diego, which was in December 2016, I found myself explaining to most people what coworking space is. Now, thanks to WeWork’s heavy spend on advertising, almost everyone is aware of the concept.

Companies like WeWork have made coworking mainstream. For a small coworking space operator like myself, that saves me a significant amount of energy on educating the market. Someone may see an ad or have attended an event at a WeWork and then be prompted to do a search of the market for coworking space.

Bisnow: So WeWork’s expansion isn’t harming your business?

Hanson: The short answer is no. Admittedly, we’ve lost a couple members over the last two years because they needed a private or dedicated office. Those individuals outgrew us.

I think of WeWork like Starbucks. It took an existing concept and put a different spin on it, but that spin isn’t right for everyone. Starbucks expanded rapidly and everyone worried that they would run independent coffee shops out of town. But by and large, Starbucks — and WeWork — have grown the pie and local establishments still have a very prominent place in the market.

Bisnow: What does independent coworking space need to compete against the big operators?

Hanson: People gravitate to the right environment for them. If rubbing elbows with the founders of the next big tech concept is important, then WeWork might be a good fit.

If someone looks forward to Taco Tuesday or loves Ping-Pong to blow off some steam, then places like WeWork might be a good fit. But there are many other locally owned and operated coworking options on the market.

Bisnow: How did you get the idea for Hera Hub?

Hanson: Hera Hub grew out of my personal need for flexible work, meeting and event space. I found myself pushed into entrepreneurship after being laid off from a marketing director position with a San Diego-based high-tech company in 2003. I launched a marketing strategy consulting firm, Perspective Marketing, and found it convenient and cost effective to work from home.

Yet after a couple years, I found working from home to be, at times, distracting and isolating. Shortly after launching my consulting practice, I took on a leadership position with several professional women’s organizations, Women’s Global Network and Ladies Who Launch, San Diego. In this role I found myself constantly challenged to secure cost-effective event and workshop space for monthly meetings.

Bisnow: That led you to the concept of coworking?

Hanson: I was turned on to the concept of coworking in 2010, when I hosted a networking event for an organization I was leading at San Diego’s first coworking space, the Hive Haus. I initially thought about how I might use the space for my own marketing strategy business, but quickly realized a 30-something woman wasn’t their target demographic.

They were targeting tech startups. That is, primarily young men. The space was cool — outfitted with a Ping-Pong table and beer keg — perhaps a little too cool for me.

The experience did spark an idea. Why wasn’t there a space for someone who wanted a professional and productive environment in a beautiful, inviting setting? Thus the concept for Hera Hub was born, named after the Greek goddess of women.

It took about 12 months from the time I decided to move forward with the launch of Hera Hub to the point where I completed my business plan, secured financing and solidified my first location.

Bisnow: What makes it distinctive?

Hanson: Hera Hub differentiates itself from most coworking spaces, not only because of our spa-inspired theme — think water features, aromatherapy candles and soft music — but because of our sense of community. Members have access to programming, including weekly business development workshops, access to mentors, and a variety of other business education to support women.

Bisnow: What has been the reaction to it?

Hanson: Positive. I truly believe that women interact differently and are instinctively more collaborative in their approach to business. I felt it was important to create a space for female entrepreneurs that’s not only beautiful, comfortable and feminine, but also professional.

In a recent article in Bisnow, Felena Hanson founder of Hera Hub shares How Independent Coworking Spaces Can Compete With WeWork. 

Read the full article here. 

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San Diego Coworking Week – #SDCoworkingWeek2018

Hope you’ll join us for #SDCoworkingWeek18. Visit these coworking space for free during coworking week…

Monday, August 6th

Scale Matrix/ Ansir at Launch Center – Kearny Mesa (Open Coworking | Launch Party 5 pm – 7 pm)
5795 Kearny Villa Rd., San Diego, CA 92123

Tuesday, August 7th

Nest Coworking – Downtown (Open Coworking | Speed coworking)
1855 1st Ave #100, San Diego, CA 92101

Downtown Works (Open Coworking | Guest speaker)
550 W B St 4th Floor, San Diego, CA 92101

Wednesday, August 8th

Co-mmunity – Hillcrest (Open Coworking | Fuckup night event)
1228 University Ave #200, San Diego, CA 92103

Thursday, August 9th

Hera Hub – Mission Valley, Sorrento Valley & Carlsbad (Open Coworking | Biz Acceleration Expo)
MV: 8885 Rio San Diego Dr #237, San Diego, CA 92108
SV: 4010 Sorrento Valley Blvd #400, San Diego, CA 92121
CB: 5205 Avenida Encinas Suite A, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Friday, August 10th

DeskHub – Little Italy (Open Coworking | AND wrap-up party Friday night – 6-8pm)
2159 India St, San Diego, CA 92101

Anyone who visits each alliance space on the designated day and posts an image of their experience on Instagram, with the hashtag #SDCoworkingPassport AND the tags the location will be qualified to win a one month free trial at any of the 5 participating coworking spaces. (New members only)

RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/186697672109309/ or https://sdcoworkingweek18.eventbrite.com

RSVP
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How to Build and Nurture Relationships with Others in Your Coworking Space

There’s something to be said for the freelance life — it’s flexible, and it’s rewarding.

But it can also be a little isolating, even for people at co-working spaces. In a traditional office, everyone plays for the same team. There is an existing camaraderie that defines professional relationships.

In a shared working environment, there’s still space to create a sense of community. It’s often just a matter of reaching out.

In that spirit, here are six practical tips for nurturing and growing relationships in shared offices and coworking environments.

Don’t Miss Events in Your Co-working Space

A lot of co-working spaces hold occasional in-house events or off-site happy hours as a way to encourage connections with fellow workers and entrepreneurs. Use this time to interact with the diverse global community there, people who come from various industries, and feel free to bring your cards to pass around.

Host Your Own Event

If an opportunity to attend one of these events doesn’t present itself, you might consider hosting your own. Does your office have a community area where businesses can set up their own functions? These may include workshops, exhibits, lunch parties, etc. Being able to enjoy our time with the people in your working space is essential to your own productivity, as it creates a loop of inspiration and positive interaction.

Eat Lunch in the Community Area

It’s tempting to work through lunch when you’re still trying to break through in a niche industry or trying to get your company off the ground. Avoid that temptation, though, and step away from your computer to eat with your neighbors. There should be a common lunch area that encourages people to do the same, and a quick chat with someone across your table might turn out to be a fruitful partnership.

Encourage Your Community Manager if More Needs to be Done

All work spaces have someone you can contact in the event you’re not maximizing your networking potential. The best part about involving a manager is that they may be uniquely qualified to link you with other members or companies who may have something complementary to offer.

relationship-building-coworking-space

Online Tools are Effective at Growing Professional Relationships

If you recognize a person in the space whom you believe may a fruitful connection, reach out through social media, the space’s Slack channel or via email. Some members may work unconventional hours, making it a challenge to connect at the office. But no matter how busy they are, the good news is they most likely will follow up with online communication and keep in touch — even if they move to a new space.

Use Your Existing Promotional Resources

Your handouts shouldn’t be limited strictly to special clients; company message and goals can be shared with other professionals within your space. Something as simple as leaving some of your company’s marketing collateral on a fellow member’s desk may serve to remind them about you and your company, should they want to collaborate on an upcoming project.

A co-working space offers great opportunities to network and grow relationships with a people who work in different fields, possessing a range of skill sets — and this might turn out to be useful from a business perspective. So, venture out and look to grow a wide web of reliable contacts. They may prove essential to your growth and success.

casey-meehan-epic-presenceCasey Meehan is a writer and business owner who likes to talk about everything under the sun — from writing music to entrepreneurship to investment strategies. He explores the latter by covering financial news and offering trading tips at his blog StockHax.com. Connect with Casey on Twitter @epicpresence.

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The Evolution of the Coworking World

Today’s coworking office didn’t simply spring from the penny loafers of a techie, hipster entrepreneur. In fact, you have to look back to the 1950s to see some of the seeds that grew into the modern coworking office.

History

In many ways, lawyers and doctors were some of the first professionals to collaborate on space while working independently. In the 1980s, small law firms banded together in an effort to create an environment of professionalism to rival big firms. Doctors had a much more practical need – to employ a common medical billing clerk to ensure faster payments from the complicated policies of health insurance companies. (This kind of coworking is still alive and well today. Just across the street from CyberTECH is a building filled with lawyers sharing a common waiting room, receptionist, and conference rooms. And inside the building where CyberTECH lives, a group of doctors operates out of one office.)

Executive Suits and Virtual Offices

As more professionals left the corporate world of the 1990s, the need for professional meeting spaces expanded. Through the early 2000s, entrepreneurs often sought a professional mailing address and a landline phone number. Calls would pass through a receptionist and into voice mail. Generic meeting rooms were an easy way to appear to have a fully functioning office without the need to rent something permanent. But the cell phone revolution changed the coworking world.

An Office in Your Hand

Once Apple produced the iPhone (2007), the independent workplace shifted dramatically. Entrepreneurs no longer needed a PLACE for their STUFF – like computers and desk phones. Everyone was walking around with a virtual office in their hand. Business owners no longer needed an office to review e-mail and voice mail. So coworking spaces had to adjust. Instead of offering cold, blank rooms, coworking spaces had to feel comfortable and modern to attract tenants.

Thank Google for the Basketball Court

At the same time that entrepreneurs were doing more business via Smartphone, the best corporate companies were offering innovative work environments as a company benefit. Workers were no longer stuck in grey cubicles all day. Instead, they got light, airy meeting spots furnished with couches and TVs. The communal coffee pot was replaced by the espresso machine (or living, breathing barista). So as those corporate employees struck out on their own, they demanded similar traits of their coworking spaces.

To Niche or Not To Niche

At least three members of the San Diego Coworking Alliance operate with a niche member in mind. CyberTECH is focuses on tech startups. Hera Hub supports female entrepreneurs. And 3rd Space is geared toward creative endeavors. And while a niche market might be a great way to bring like-minded professionals together, coworking spaces have to walk a fine line between inclusivity and exclusive practices. Diversity is key in creating new and innovative ideas; so being overly controlling about member activities can stifle the creative environment necessary for small businesses to adapt and expand. (However, it would be a little odd to have a barber cutting hair next to an app developer.) Commonly, niche coworking offices try to offer spaces to a majority percentage (like 66% or 75%) of business owners that fall within the defined specialty; the rest of the spaces are open for anyone looking for an awesome office.

The Next Phase

Technology is likely key in determining the future of the coworking space. And the intent of that technology (ironically) will be to bring people closer together. Virtual (reality) conference rooms are on the horizon for the Jetson’s office space. Also key to the future of the entrepreneurial workplace – personal interests. The coworking space of the next decade will be busy 24/7. After-hours activities will be filled with musicians, pod-casters, and cooking classes.

Start-ups no longer need the garage or the basement to get going. The next generation of big brands will come from the coworking spaces we occupy today. And we’re all better for having worked in one.

Darin Andersen, CEO & Chairman of CyberUnited Inc., Co Chair of CyberTECH

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The Work Lodge Names Hera Hub Top Coworking Space in California

We are so excited to announce this honor! The Work Lodge, a work space and business community based in Houston, named Hera Hub as one of the top coworking spaces in California!

According to SmallBusiness.com, coworking is on trend to grow to 26,000 locations with 3.8 million members by the year 2020. This aligns nicely with our vision of helping 20,000 women in the launch and growth of their businesses by the same year.

Hera Hub Named Top Coworking Space by The Work Lodge

To be recognized among your peers is always welcome and we are thrilled to be included with these 15 other noteworthy spaces. Congratulations to all the workspaces named!

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Daring to Go “Co”

Because coworking without community is just plain working.

by Shelly Bowen

Some people think of co-working as a place to focus on work, and that’s true, but it’s only part of the story. More often than not, it’s a place to meet people, share ideas, find resources and support, and get inspired.

And, lucky us, co-working has exploded in San Diego in the last few years. What started as just a few shared office space options for just a few people has turned into not only a plethora of spaces to choose from, but a whole interconnected community. A whole new mindset.

Considering that San Diego is made up of mostly transplants — think about it, how many people do you know who grew up in San Diego? — this is a really big deal. Momentous, really.

San Diego’s co-working community is becoming a supportive, ambitious, entrepreneurial, and thinking-differently-is-good-thinking group of people. The options to be a part of this community are growing all the time. We just need to continue to get out there and be a part of it.

Melissa Glaze, the community director at Hera Hub, a spa-like co-working space for women (and men? we’ll get to that), agrees. “There are different kinds of co-working spaces,” she says. “It [can be] not only a shared workspace, but a community and support system for likeminded, productive people.”

We’ve all seen niche-specific co-working spaces — for tech-focused or eco-friendly entrepreneurs, designers, start-ups, creatives, or women, in Hera Hub’s case. Regardless, the important thing is to find where you fit in.

“Community first, space second,” Melissa says. When Felena Hanson founded Hera Hub in 2011, she felt that “it’s really important to have a strong sense of true community, a place to get through hurdles and build your business,” Melissa tells us.

Building community doesn’t happen automatically. Especially within the larger communities like Hera Hub’s. “Having experts in the community — such as our Gurus who are members — that we can refer to is key. The space really flourishes when we help members give support to other members in the community” Melissa says.

But that’s not all. The community directors at all three of the San Diego Hera Hub locations (as well as the one in Washington, DC and soon, Sweden, Phoenix, and Baltimore) are dedicated to connecting people. “People are shocked that we are as supportive as we are, how fast they can get answers, how quickly they can be introduced to people who can help them build their business. People ask me, ‘Do you know a …’ and I give them five options.” Hera Hub also holds new member breakfasts and frequent member events.

Does Hera Hub really exclude men? Melissa laughs. “Hera Hub is a female-focused community, but we have a handful of male members,” she explains. “If a guy likes what we’re about and wants to be included, he is welcome.”

So if co-working is now all about community, why are there limited options in areas like College area or East County? “Co-working is a hard business to get into,” Melissa says thoughtfully, “so there may be some apprehension about moving into a non-central area. It would be great for someone to test that out.”

She continues, “There are a lot of coffee shops out there that are full of people with laptops all the time. There are meetup groups in East County that are trying to build community. It’s hard; it takes time. But I’d love to see that.”

Breweries are popping up everywhere in San Diego. So why not co-working spaces? Why not build an even larger, stronger, more supportive co-working community? Looks like it all depends on each of us. Let’s get out there.

Melissa Glaze has been community director at the Mission Valley Hera Hub for a little over a year. With her graphic design background and passion for connecting people, she’s excited to continue building San Diego’s co-working community through creative marketing efforts. Contact Melissa via www.HeraHub.com/Mission-Valley

Shelly Bowen, a San Diego local, founded Pybop, a content strategy consultancy, in 2008. Since then, she has been involved with several San Diego co-working spaces, and has found they are not only a great resource for finding talent (not to mention great ideas and friends), but also she’s found inspiring locations to invite out-of-town clients for creative content strategy workshops and working meetings. Join her San Diego Content Strategy Meetup group. Contact Shelly at www.pybop.com.

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