It’s Co-Working Week

This week San Diego is celebrating our co-working spaces. In 2005, an independent worker in California conceived of a different way of working; he envisioned a place where independent workers could come together, collaborate, and reap the rewards of community, increased productivity, and creativity. That worker was Brad Neuberg. On August 7, approximately 5000 co-working spaces around the world celebrated Neuberg’s vision as part of International Coworking Day. But here in San Diego— we are giving it a week. There are free co-working days and other events at the different workspaces. Anyone can co-work for free at each of these spaces on the designated day.

Monday, August 8th: Union Cowork, North Park location
Tuesday, August 9th: Hera Hub, all locations (Special Business Accelerator Expo from 10am-2pm)
Wednesday, August 10th: 3rdSpace, University Heights w/ Startup Collaborative, 6:00 to 8:30
Thursday, August 11th: NEST CoWork (CyberHive, iHive, xHive Incubators), Downtown
Friday, August 12th: Co-mmunity, Hillcrest

And don’t miss the Wrap-Up Party at Co-mmunity (featuring "startup stories") on Friday, August 12, 6-9 p.m. RSVP here.

Vault RMS Raises 1.3 Million

Founded by a former firefighter, Vault RMS is developing a technology to help protect firefighters by detecting toxins and tracking information that can help if illnesses are developed while working. The seed round of $1.3 million was led by San Diego-based VC Keshif ventures and Legg Mason along with Right Side Capital. Founder Clive Savacool tells GeekTime that the Vault Exposure Tracker would detect the sort of conditions that lead to various kinds of disabilities, including cancer, in firefighters, “saving municipalities time and money, while getting firefighters more timely care and support.”

National Startup Day – At Least in Congress

Congressman Darrell Issa visited The Control Group and Airbitz last week as part of National Startup Day, which works to connect elected leaders with the startup businesses in their communities.  On the agenda for discussion was H1B Visas and legislation related to equity funding.  

Follow the Money

Continuing the San Diego Kickstarter success, Zero Gravity Racks has surpassed the goal for its Kickstarter campaign by more than $7,000 with 18 days left to go in the campaign. The racks are using a technology that allows you to store items like surfboards, bikes, or snowboards up and out of the way.  

More Workspace at Makers Quarter

Makers Quarter, the East Village area slated for creative workspace and work, live, play spaces, has laid out their specs for the first office space to be offered in late 2017. Block D, as they call it, boasts 42,000 square feet of office space and 8,000 square feet of retail. It also seeks to be the first net zero office building downtown.

On the Social Side at Makers Quarter

Everyone knows that to attract millennials to live and work downtown, the social scene has to be up and running. Makers Quarter also announced that Punch Bowl Social plans to develop its first Southern California location in the famous Coliseum located at 15th and E. This 1920s landmark boxing venue, The Coliseum Federal Athletic Club, hosted an illustrious list of boxing talent including Henry Armstrong, Archie Moore, and Jimmy Braddock, whose life story was portrayed in the popular 2005 film, The Cinderella Man.  Punch Bowl Social calls itself a leader in the “eatertainment” industry. Based in Denver, Colorado, it has venues in six locations including Portland, OR; Austin, TX, and Detroit, MI, with new locations opening in Brooklyn, NY, and Sacramento, CA, among others. Its mission is to bring classic games and entertainment (think pinball, skeeball, shuffleboard, vintage video games, ping pong, etc.), a southern-influenced scratch kitchen and superbly crafted beverages together under one roof.  

Pivots and Opportunities

• Evonexus is Accepting Applications
  Downtown incubator Evonexus is taking applications for its November class. They are due by August 31.

Be There or Be…

• 3rdspace Kickstarter Demo Day
  August 13, 7-9 p.m., 4610 Park Blvd
• San Diego Venture Summit
  September 8, 7:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Hilton Bayfront
  Hosted by the San Diego Venture Group, the Summit attracts numerous VC’s to San Diego.

Tags: Blogs, Downtown Buzz