In the past 18 months, co-working spaces have been cropping up faster than we can count them, addressing the issue of high rents and lack of space in Hong Kong.
This is great news for the local ecosystem and with this additional support feeding into the entrepreneurial community – more startups will get to cross the early-stage threshold.
As a new co-working space seems to launch every few months, this will serve as a working list for early stage companies and solopreneurs either looking for a space to collaborate on projects or seeking a community to nurture your small business.
Paperclip HK
Sheung Wan, which has been dubbed the “new Central,” is now home to Paperclip, a self-titled ‘Startup Campus’ that combines a Startup Academy with Cowork, Event and Classroom space. The academy is built on lean methodolgies and business model canvas tools made popular by Steve Blank and Eric Ries. Paperclip works closely with the starup eco-system and offers expert advice, mentoring and workshops through their “startup academy.” Paperclip offers different membership levels – the first tier is for “Dreamers,” (hot desk for $2,000-$4000/month), “Challengers,” ($5,500/month for a dedicated desk) and “Disrupters,” ($6,500/month for an office space).
Address: 3/F, Nam Wo Hong Building, 148 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Closest MTR: Sheung Wan
Platform Coworking + Events
Sai Ying Pun, a burgeoning area in the Western district (thanks to a promised MTR station), is now home to a new co-working space. Because of its proximity to Sheung Wan and Central, this co-working space might be an ideal spot for startups and solopreneurs to nest. Platform offers 5,000 square feet and three floors of meeting rooms, event spaces, a full kitchen, shower, break out room and even hosts film screenings and art shows. Since it’s newly opened, Platform is offering a discounted full membership down from $5,000 to $3,800 a month which includes 24 hour access.
Address: 1-3/F 120 Connaught Road West, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong
Closest MTR: Sheung Wan (5-10 minute westbound tram ride to Sai Ying Pun)
Startbase profile
80/80 Space
In Kowloon, one of Hong Kong’s oldest districts has gotten a facelift thanks to the renewal project of last year. Whether you consider gentrification a good or a bad thing, the renewal of Kwun Tong has spawned many new projects in the industrial zone including 80/80 Space – a multi-purpose co-working studio space for developers, designers, problem solvers and creative business people to collaborate. Looking to be more than just a co-work space, 80/80 Space also hosts community get togethers such as movie nights and offers intensive workshops with usability experts.
Address: Unit 2913, 29/F, 1 Hung To Road, Ngau Tau Kok, Hong Kong
Closest MTR: Ngau Tau Kok
Loft Co-Working Space
Also in Kowloon, the recently opened Loft co-working space in San Po Kong is now welcoming creative freelancers, startups and independent professionals. With a whopping 8,000 square feet in co-working space, Loft features a stylish, modern loft-style space complete with terrace and lounge seats and the usual co-work space fixtures such as hot or dedicated desk, locker, meeting rooms and storage spaces where members can enjoy 24 hour access. For those looking for office membership for a team of 4-20 people can pick up an office membership with Loft for just $3,200/month. And solo preneurs can get a dedicated desk for just $2,900/month while hot desks go for $1,900.
Address: Block A, 4th Floor, Lee King Industrial Building, 12 Ng Fong Street, San Po Kong, Kowloon
Closest MTR: Diamond Hill
Startbase profile
Smart-Space
Cyberport, South Hong Kong Island’s creative digital community, has just opened up it’s fourth Smart-Space within it’s sprawling office campus. In all, Smart-Space offers over 40,000 square feet of affordable workstations ranging from just $800/month for a Flexi-Space, $1,500/month for a workstation and $4,000 for a room – and flexible membership duration allows for terms ranging from 1 to 12 months. As an added bonus, Smart-Space members also get subscribed into the Cyperport Collaboration Centre which provides business support for startups looking to tap into the overseas or Mainland China market.
Address: 100 Cyberport Rd, Level 9, Core C, Cyberport 3, Hong Kong
Closest MTR: Sheung Wan
