THE workplace has changed a lot since the entry of the digital age. One of the major changes is the emergence of the coworking space. In this setup, people share a workspace but, at the same time, work independently of each other.
In a recent interview with the BusinessMirror, Mikko Barranda, cofounder of Acceler8, said their entry into the local office space market is quite timely, as more and more people are looking for office spaces that are different from the traditional ones. “The emergence of start-ups in the country has led to the creation of coworking spaces in the urban areas,” Barranda said.
Coworking is a style of work that involves a shared workspace but promotes independent work. Furthermore, it enables each business professional, freelancer, or entrepreneur the same benefits of an office environment, plus the freedom to work at his or her own pace, away from the distractions of working from home.
As far as Acceler8 is concerned, Baranda defined their project as a hybrid coworking space that offers various business solutions from coworking, private offices, virtual office plans, meeting-room plans and an event space. “We envisioned Accelera8 as a workplace that will foster collaboration among entrepreneurs,” Barranda said.
Other cofounders of Acceler8 are Bryant Cuison, Carlo Coronel and Albert Goh. At present, Barranda said Acceler8 has branches at 111 Paseo de Roxas and Finman Center on Tordesillas Street in Makati City. “We plan to add more facilities in the nearby areas within two years,” he pointed out.
The Paseo de Roxas branch offers 20 private offices, while the Finman Center has five. Each private office may be rented for a minimum of three months, and has the following inclusions: tables and chairs; high-speed Internet connection (shared); business address with reception service; dedicated phone with personalized voicemail; and 20 hours meeting-room use every month.
In response to the need of budding entrepreneurs of a power address, Barranda said Acceler8 can offer them their virtual office service. “A virtual address is a big boost to the entrepreneur, because it gives him a sense of prestige and respect,” Barranda said. By availing yourself of Accelera8 services, register your business with a prestigious Makati address. It has various virtual office plans that cater to your needs.
For organizations and individuals who want to conduct meetings, Barranda said Acceler8 has a meeting room on both locations that can accommodate eight to 10 people. He also said students who want to prepare for their thesis defense or board examinations can use the facilities. He said the users can book the rooms that include their high-speed Internet connection; Smart TV; whiteboard with markers; papers and pens; and unlimited beverages: coffee, water and tea.
Barranda said Acceler8 can also be used as an event space for seminars, launches and other productions. It can accommodate 50 to 80 people in the Paseo de Roxas center, while the Finman Center has the capacity of 30 to 60 people. “For people who are looking for alternative venues for their events, I believe Acceler8’s facilities are suitable for their needs,” he said.