Mumbai is often called the financial capital of India. It’s also a startup hub with many venture capital firms to help them scale up. But the city is congested, and real estate is very expensive. Most startups struggle to work in confined spaces.
For professionals, entrepreneurs, and startups – those working on a limited budget in Mumbai – co-working spaces are the best option. They offer an opportunity to network among a like-minded community through events, skills-based workshops, seminars, and even consultation on a regular basis. These hubs include basic facilities like high speed internet, access to printers, scanners, and meeting rooms. Tea and coffee are available as well. At some of these hubs, there are dedicated areas for workouts, gaming, or simply networking.
Ideally, co-working spaces strike a balance between work and fun. Here are six such cool co-working places in Mumbai:
1. Colaba Social | Colaba
This was started in August in Colaba, South Mumbai by Impresario Entertainment and Hospitality, a team of hospitality professionals. This space offers a mix of a café-like social hangout with desks to work from. It offers the space very selectively. To book a spot, you have to fill up an online application form.
Once accepted, users have to pay a membership fee of INR5,000 (US$81) per month to work between 9 am and 6 pm on weekdays. The users get access to high-speed internet, printers, scanners, and an on-demand conference room. The fee includes credit for food and beverages. Even after the credit limit is up, you get a 10 percent discount on the food bill.
2. The Hive | Khar West
Sudeip Nair, Pramod Sippy, and Rajesh Marar, entrepreneurs experienced in hospitality, entertainment, music, and performing arts, started The Hive at Khar West in 2008. It’s now a hub for the art, culture, and technology-enthused folks. With interiors designed to resemble a beehive, it has a smart café. One can also expect movie screenings, stand-up comedy performances, and even open-mic poetry sessions.
Fees start from INR600 (US$10) per day to INR12,000 (US$195) per month. It offers quick access to printers, scanners, on-demand meeting rooms, and is also pet-friendly.
3. Our First Office | Nariman Point, Churchgate, Lower Parel
Our First Office offers co-working spaces in three different locations. Milind Doshi, a startup community builder, and Devina Lason, a TV presenter, started it to promote the community of startups and entrepreneurs. With corporate office-like interiors, it offers dedicated desks and space for a small startup team. Through its private global online community, one can connect with mentors, investors, and entrepreneurs.
A dedicated desk comes at INR 11,950 (US$194) per month, inclusive of high-speed internet, free legal consulting session, online community support, and other facilities. A startup team can pay INR3,950 (US$64) per person. You might have to pay extra for other amenities.
4. Bombay Connect | Bandra West
Pooja Warier and Richard Alderson, social entrepreneurs with Untld India, founded Bombay Connect five years ago in Bandra West. The amenities include free postal address, kitchen, and open space for meetings. It offers workstations besides the usual co-working space. There’s a small library for those who want a break from work.
A daily pass costs INR999 (US$16) while monthly hours-based membership ranges from INR2,000 (US$32) to INR9,000 (US$146). It also offers group memberships at special rates. Bombay Connect is open even on Saturdays from 10 am to 5 pm.
5. The Playce | Mulund West
Located in the north-eastern side of Mumbai, The Playce offers a typical corporate style co-working space. The huge 5,000 square feet area has several desks, private cabins, conference rooms, and a dedicated gaming room. It holds events every week, and the place is open on weekends for those who want to use it.
The Playce actively promotes a growing startup community. One can opt for single day desk plan at INR499 (US$8) or take a dedicated desk at INR6,500 (US$106) per month. Startups can choose a monthly team desk plan costing INR5,500 (US$89) per person.
6. Geekout | Andheri, West
This cosy pad is focused on the technepreneurs. Started by programmer Sobing George Thomas with his friend Vineet Shetty, an entrepreneur, Geekout is open 24 hours. True to its name, it regularly hosts a small group of geeks who work on personal or community projects. Twice a week, the space conducts hackathons and technology-focused workshops. It also has a Geekout 2.0 with meeting rooms, private cabins, and dedicated desks for tech startups and entrepreneurs.
At Geekout 2.0, a dedicated desk comes at INR5,500 (US$89) per month. This includes the cost of storage space, parking space, coffee machines, and a pantry. The other Geekout pad can be rented at INR8,000 (US$130) per month and is open between 10 pm to 8 am for INR200 (US$3) per night.
Diverse communities use these spaces to share ideas, suggest solutions, and collaborate. So, some of them are selective about whom they take in.
(Image credits: Indi Samarajiva, Colaba Social, The Hive, Our First Office, Bombay Connect, The Playce)
Work, learn, and have fun at these 6 cool co-working spaces in Mumbai
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