Maine's Coworking Landscape

As we re-envision how we work, how has Maine's coworking market shifted?

By Joel R. Crabtree

When coworking spaces first began popping up in Maine, the concept had already become popular in many major metropolitan areas. At the time, it was still novel to many Maine entrepreneurs and creative thinkers who were ready to take their endeavors to the next step. For the first time, those start-ups and freelancers could access an affordable, accommodating, and comfortable office space or cubicle that offered them the flexibility to quickly scale up or down, or even move out if their company rapidly outgrew the coworking model entirely.

That vision was the impetus for Pat Roche to open his first Think Tank CoWorking location on Congress Street in Portland, Maine, in 2010. "I fell in love with the city," said Roche, who at the time was writing a novel. "Within a few months of moving here, I decided to create a shared work environment for creatives because I had nowhere to go. I had an apartment, but I didn't want to be cooped up."

As the coworking model proliferated throughout Greater Portland, with ThinkTank, Cloudport, PelotonLabs, and more garnering a strong client base, other smaller cities throughout Maine also jumped on board, seeing the opportunity for economic growth and development. In Waterville, for example, RJ Anzelc founded Bricks CoWorking & Innovation with site planning and technical assistance via Central Maine Growth Council (CMGC) because they saw the city's potential to become a hub for software, tech, and biotech start-ups. Since opening, Bricks embarked on a formal partnership with the CMGC, earning a $1.2 million federal grant for a three-year project to house a start-up accelerator in Dirigo Labs. The accelerator's goal is to help expedite the launch and commercialization of start-ups, increase deal flow, product launches, mergers and acquisitions, and attract funding.

"Because of that public-sector lense, it allows us to think more creatively," said Garvan Donegan, director of planning, innovation, and economic development for the Central Maine Growth Council. "We're not just trying to sell coworking passes, and while that's important, our objective is threefold: Grow jobs, grow GDP, and grow businesses."

The elephant in the room: The Pandemic …

It shouldn't come as a surprise that when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, coworking memberships dipped. PPP loans helped companies like Think Tank weather the storm, as did some dedicated clients who understood the long-term value of keeping their memberships. 

"It's been a whirlwind," said Roche, who noted Think Tank did see a drop in memberships when the pandemic first hit. "We have a lot of loyalty. We've been a relevant part of the community for a long enough time that people know the value. We're growing back membership steadily, and we're almost back up to pre-pandemic level. We're already at full occupancy for offices."

"COVID was hard for all coworking in Maine, "said Donegan. Like Think Tank, Bricks had a dedicated community base, many of whom retained their membership. "Though we had some very quiet months while people worked remotely." 

Bricks took the opportunity to broaden its audience, recruiting rural remote workers and also received a coworking development grant to increase the number of phone booths and pods to facilitate Zoom meetings or calls that don't necessarily require a full conference room.

Who is currently using coworking spaces?

When Think Tank first opened in Portland, a lot of the coworking clients were transplants from Boston, New York, or Washington D.C., who were familiar with the coworking model. As many companies have dissolved their office spaces in response to the pandemic, tens of millions of employees who had become accustomed to working out of an office have had to find their new rhythm, and more importantly, their new workspace. Though it seems easy enough, the work-from-home model is not a tenable solution for many people.

Now, Roche says, he's seeing a surge of newcomers to his coworking spaces. "People will reach out, and inquire: 'What's this coworking thing? How does it work? I'm really confused, but I do need to get out of the house.'"

For Bricks, having an accelerator and incubation service has been a key selling point. They have recently announced the launch of a residential program for entrepreneurs and start-ups through Dirigo Labs. The 12-week program offers participants a start-up curriculum, access to mentors, and funding opportunities to grow and scale operations. 

"We're looking forward to welcoming our inaugural Dirigo Labs Accelerator Cohort class in March," said Donegan. "The Dirigo Labs team is really excited to be on the doorstep of welcoming new start-ups to the community."

What's next for coworking in Maine?

Bricks CoWorking & Innovation, with its private-public lens, remains focused on the broader economic strategy for Waterville and central Maine. 

"It's different in function and form from Portland's amazing downtown, but Waterville has an awesome, robust downtown, too. Within the last seven years, we've experienced a significant revitalization of the downtown, from institutional investment, private sector investment, higher education investment, and really just incredible public-private partnerships. It's all working together to secure the downtown, and build a hub for innovation."

Roche believes that the future of coworking spaces lies in the hands of its members and encouraging them to lean into the experience. 

"You have to find fellow members, reach out and make connections," said Roche. "There have been so many businesses that have launched and expanded at Think Tank, and our members have met their business partners, lifelong friends or even their life partners here. coworking is a really incredible thing for Maine's economy, and the state needs to do everything in its power to ensure coworking spaces survive and thrive."

About Maine Venture Fund

Maine Venture Fund invests in dynamic businesses that have the potential for significant growth and impact in Maine. For more information, visit maineventurefund.com. 

Inquiries:
Terri Wark
Maine Venture Fund
(207) 924.3800
terri@maineventurefund.com