We now have close to 120 people signed up to out HubDublin discussion group on Linkedin, and a reasonable estimate might predict another 50-75 interested but not using Linkedin. We have reviewed a handful of locations for the co-working space, but while there were definite opportunities presented by each of these, so far no single space possessed the magic formula of economics, location and quality of space we need for a creative community co-working environment. As the economic spin-down starts to level, but with little rebound so far in the property sector, it shouldn’t be long now before we locate the right office space at terms enabling our start up for start ups to open the doors. Over the autumn, we have also prepared a business plan, and this is now very close to completion.

Because the HubDublin vision is broader than hot desks alone, and because it emphasises the buzz of co-working in a collaborative community, we can do quite a bit as a group while we continue to search out spaces and terms. We are launching a skill-sharing facility via the main website, and encouraging any and all interested persons to list yourselves, skills you are willing to share, and expertise you may be seeking. There’s bound to be someone within our group of close to 200 people who either need you or can help you out. So let’s give it a go.

We’ll also restart our series of gatherings in February, and focus on continuing to build our co-working community as well as scheduling working sessions to bring us closer to opening the doors. If you have ideas about topics you’d like to explore at one of our Hub-meets, let us know, or better yet, post it for discussion and see how many others are interested. And of course, if you hear of a good bet for an open plan, flexible, inspiring and centrally located affordable space, let us know!

Finally, I’d like to underscore the “co” aspect of coworking. So far, the lion’s share of effort behind realising the Dublin Hub has been invested by three unpaid part time volunteers, with occasional backup from another three. We need a bit more energy at the core to spread the workload and enable us to pick up the pace. If you feel you have some time and inclination for this, we’d like to hear from you.

Erik