lunch to aspiring entrepreneurs.” Companies apply for free six-month stints in the space, and they benefit from frequent networking events, but Dogpatch isn’t a classic incubator—Polaris doesn’t require an equity stake in resident companies. In San Francisco, Dogpatch sublets space from Social Media, which produces rich-media Web advertisements; from what I can tell, there are also quite a few other small organizations sharing the space, which makes for a lively time.
665 Third St., San Francisco
Founders Den is an invitation-only operation that bills itself as a “shared office space and private club for experienced entrepreneurs and their friends.” You can only get a desk in this 8,500-square-foot facility through a referral from a Founders Den advisor, sponsor, managing partner, or existing tenant. The managing partners, who include Friendster founder Jonathan Abrams, say the space is designed to appeal to entrepreneurs who would sooner work from home than join one of San Francisco’s existing coworking spaces.
140A South Whisman Rd., Mountain View
$100 per month
Hacker Dojo calls itself “a community center for hackers and thinkers to meet, discuss, learn, create, build, and play.” Members use the space for coding, electronics fabrication, robotics demonstrations, and even quilting and baking. “Any activity that can be safely done indoors and doesn’t require heavy equipment or ventilation is encouraged,” the organization’s site says.
97 Brokaw Rd., San Jose
$100 per month
Hanhai Investment Inc. tells Xconomy that it is looking for tech startups that have an interest in China to rent space in its “plug and play” office environment. The company writes: “Today a growing number of small to mediums size businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs wish to enter the Chinese market, but more often than not lack the resources. For small businesses and developing ventures, needed resources vary greatly: experience, staff, office space, equipment, wisdom, connections, tax incentives, legal counsel, knowledge and training, funding, a professional work environment that promotes progress. Perhaps the biggest perk is that you will be in a stimulating work environment that surrounds you with mentors, investors and fellow startups companies.”
625 Second Street, San Francisco
$550-$650 per month, $1,500-$4,000 for private offices
Hatchery occupies a 21,000-square-foot space just two blocks from AT&T Park and South Park and a short walk to CalTrans and MUNI. Members have 24/7 access to the space, which will include up to 180 desks configured for four, six or eight users in a highly flexible format, with lockers available for storag. Twelve shared conference rooms and telephone rooms accommodate from four to 20+ people with Polycom phones and whiteboards. Other amenities include broadband internet (wireless and wired optional) and networked printer, scanner, fax and copier, on-site management, mail-handing service, voicemail system, on-call administrative and IT support, two shared kitchens with daily free coffee, tea, water and catering services for member functions. Hatchery says its members “will include a range of industries, from start-ups to established firms, including technology and social media, legal, advertising/public relations, product development and design firms, among others” and that membership will come with “unparalleled connectivity with some of the Bay Area’s leading investors and business, governmental and philanthropic leaders, the result of the founders combined 50 years experience working across a range of industries.”
2150 Allston Way, Suite 400, Berkeley
9:00 am – 6:00 pm weekdays
$25 to $295 per month.
Hub Berkeley has 2,000 square feet of desk and event space in the David Brower Center, a LEED Platinum-certified building that’s home to 30 social and environmental enterprises. 30 work spaces are available, but no permanent desks.
901 Mission Street, Suite 105, San Francisco
9:00 am – 6:00 pm weekdays
$25 to $545 per month
Hub SoMa has 8,600 square feet of desk, meeting, and event space in the San Francisco Chronicle building—part of the 5M project to revitalize a four-acre area bounded by Mission Street, Howard Street, 5th Street, and 6th Street. Desk space available for as little as five hours per month or as many as you want. Permanent desks available.
780 Valencia St., San Francisco
Like the next organization on the list (Kicklabs), I/O Ventures is both a co-working space and a venture incubator. Startups apply for a three-month term of residence and turn over 8 percent of their common stock in return for office space, mentorship, and investments ranging up to $25,000.
181 Fremont St., San Francisco
A venture incubator run by Transmedia Capital, Kicklabs opened in June 2010 at 250 Brannan Street in SoMa, and is relocating its companies to offices managed by
