New co-working space lets fintech startups sip latte and admire art as they work

Photo credit: Life.Sreda

Did you think to yourself today, “My startup is all set up – if only I had a space to work out of!” If you did, then you probably haven’t searched through the multitudes of coworking spaces around Singapore. But even so, as long as your startup is fintech-oriented, there’s a new option for you: venture capital firm Life.Sreda has just announced it’s opening a co-working space in Singapore’s Block 79 startup hub.

The 3,200-square-foot property includes a co-working space with all the modern bells and whistles expected of such a place these days. “Long black” and “latte” are mentioned in the press release.

Photo credit: Life.Sreda

But in addition to that, the space also features a library with fintech-oriented books curated by the VC and access to some fintech services by its portfolio startups. An events venue will host mentorship talks, networking events, and the like.

The idea is to make a place for people interested in fintech to mingle and work together.

The idea, according to Life.Sreda investment director Igor Pesin, is to make a place in Singapore where everyone interested in fintech can come and mingle with other people from the industry.

“We want to accelerate the flow of ideas and knowledge of all participants and players in the fintech ecosystem,” he tells Tech in Asia. This will help uncover new ideas and meeting new people who can potentially be hired by Life.Sreda and its portfolio companies, he adds.

The space will be divided into two parts. Half of it will house Life.Sreda’s own people and the startups selected for its InspirAsia accelerator. The other half will be available to any fintech startup and player who’s interested in applying.

Photo credit: Life.Sreda

Interestingly enough, Life.Sreda says it is offering these facilities for free. The VC has set up a Google form that startups need to fill in to use the space, but that’s about it. Igor explains the VC can afford to run the space for free because of what it can attain out of the networking and knowledge sharing that will happen there. “It’s not our business to make money out of a co-working space. The value we will get out of it is much higher than the costs needed to run it,” he says.

An art gallery that will rotate works by international artists is one of the space’s more unusual features. “To create some beautiful and unique products, you have to be surrounded by beautiful things,” Igor explains. “When you work in an old-fashioned office, your mind is limited, but when you’re surrounded by beautiful things and smart things, it will push you to create beautiful products.”