BurlingtonHive Collage 4 710x310Imagine an environment where professionals from the technology sector can work beside each other, learn from each other, share ideas and best practices with each other, attend technical presentations together or simply share a coffee together in the lunch room.

You would say this exists in virtually every forefront technology company.

But imagine if none of these professionals worked for the same company. What do we have that fosters this culture of collaboration? Virtually nothing.

Introducing a new concept to Burlington, where multiple technology professionals from multiple small companies all work within the same open space. This is not a single business, but a collaborative co-working space called the Burlington HiVE.

The Burlington HiVE is an open concept office space reengineered for IT professionals, startups, freelancers and entrepreneurs. Those in the tech space know that “collisions”, unplanned interfacing between IT, Digital Media, ecommerce, etc., professionals often produce economic and/or professional growth.

The Burlington HiVE is the vision of Shaun Pennell, President of Pennell Inc., a Burlington based IT Strategy Consulting Services & Software Development company. Shaun’s initial vision is for the space to become a local tech hub of technology services. In one example, companies requiring custom software development could simply walk-in and meet companies who could provide those services. Shaun also visions the space being consistently used for evening workshops and events, the first of such being the Silicon Halton Meetup 37 (Your First CRM) on September 10th, 2013 and the Lean Startup Workshop on September 21st, 2013, also by Silicon Halton.

The Burlington HiVE, or simply “The Hive”, is conveniently located at ground-level in downtown Burlington and features the following amenities:

  • Collage 7 - 355x631Shared Reception
  • Boardrooms (large and small) with projectors available for private meetings with your clients
  • Wireless and wired Internet
  • Shared copiers + printers
  • Open concept Booths and other interesting spaces for semi-private meetings – a coffee shop like atmosphere, less the screaming kids
  • Large 900sqft open area with couches for events, meetings, or private functions
  • Games room featuring theatre style seating, a large plasma, and game consoles to blow off steam
  • Easy walking distance to 50+ restaurants, 20 cafes and beautiful Lake Ontario and Spencer Smith Park
  • Shared kitchen with fridges and microwaves
  • Open 7am – 7pm
  • Plenty of city parking directly across the street
  • Most importantly, lots of free tasty tasty coffee

New facets will be built into the 6,100sqft space to fully align with the needs of the members. “We’re experimenting, some trial & error, to find the right needs for our members” says Shaun Pennell. “We want the space to be flexible, vibrant and fun, while striving to make it easy for members to run their businesses.”

The Hive fills a void for growing small businesses, the void between their home office and that first multi-year lease commitment. At the same time, The Hive removes any time, effort and concentration a member would typically consume looking after a physical office. Time & effort they can spend on their growing business, not fretting over the consequences of forgetting to lock the door.

Shaun’s bold vision is an environment that allows the individual small businesses to become “burstable”. A common concern among small tech businesses is being unable to take on too much work while maintaining the quality that gained them the work in the first place. Individual businesses will have the opportunity to engage with other complementary businesses in The Hive, to help them cope with the bursts of increased work.

Rates for the Burlington HiVE start at $299 / month. No contract.

You don’t have to be a member to use the facilities as The Hive provides a $30 flat day-rate for the common shared facilities and an hourly, 1/2 day, or full day rate for the boardroom, meeting room and multipurpose space.

The Burlington HiVE will open for Business on September 3rd, 2013 with the Grand Opening on October 25th. Dignitaries (TBA) will be in attendance for the cutting of the ribbon.

Learn more about the Burlington HiVE here: www.burlingtonhive.com and follow us on-line @BurlingtonHiVE, or contact us at staff@burlingtonhive.com and 1-866-427-2450. 

jointhediscussion

 

Silicon Halton members can join the conversation here: 

 

Pin It on Pinterest