Over recent years, co-working spaces have become an increasingly popular choice for young local and expat freelancers, and startup owners in Da Nang.

Many startup support activities have been held at co-working spaces (Photo: DNO/ Khang Ninh)

Co-working is a modern-day model in which individuals pay to share their working space. In particular, early-stage businesses can gain access to operational infrastructure for a minimal fee.

In co-working environment, young white-collar employees are no longer confined to the conventional workplace, using the social aspect of the venue as an opportunity to create new working relationships, take on challenges alongside other like-minded individuals, grasp business opportunities, and exchange experiences with those from various aspects.

In particular, startup developers can also learn a great deal from successful predecessors, and if they’re lucky enough, they can also receive funding from potential investors to turn their projects into a reality.

Ms Nguyen Thi Van Anh, the co-founder of the ‘Homecares’, which connects doctors with their patients who want to have medical examinations and treatment in their own homes, remarked co-working spaces are considered as rendezvous for those who share the same entrepreneurial dream. 

Similarly, Mr Daniel Weinzveg, a US human resources specialist, said he is very interested in working in such a proliferating collective, open and professional working environment, thereby creating new working relationships with those who are willing to cultivate and maintain mutual support.

Co-working spaces help to create close links amongst startup lovers

The co-working space at the Da Nang Entrepreneurship Support (DNES) began operating on Tran Phu in October 2016, followed by the establishment of such similar ones as HEXAGON on Hung Vuong, The HUB on Tran Quoc Toan and ENOUVO on Ta My Duat. 

These venues cut costs considerably, and enhance work efficiency by creating a collective work atmosphere that helps motivate its customers.

Besides the above venues, the city has seen the opening of invention spaces. Notable amongst them is the Maker Innovation Space, which is based at the University of Da Nang (UDN) at 41 Le Duan.

The space is a key component in initiating a culture of innovation by providing an experiential space for designing, creating, innovating, and developing work-ready competencies. This invention space is fully equipped with 3-D printers, laser cutters, a wood and metal shop, along with advanced design software, and other useful equipment.

Professor Kim Do-Nuyn, the Director of the Smart Green City Lab at South Korea’s Sungkyunkwan University, said there are many big businesses worldwide that started in garages. Intensive hands-on, project-based courses in startup garages enable trainees to design and test new business concepts that address real-world needs. In reality, despite quickly becoming a thing of the past, this interesting model has offered basic ideas for the establishment of co-working spaces.

Last year, the municipal government approved a project for setting up the startup training centre on Tran Hung Dao in Son Tra District’s An Hai Tay Ward.

Once operational, this venue will offer short-term and long-term courses on startup, providing consultancy services for organisations, businesses, startups, and micro, small and medium enterprises.

In a similar vein, a hi-tech business incubator will be set up in the Da Nang Hi-tech Park.

Currently, the Da Nang Coordination Council for the Business Start-up Network is facilitating the establishment of more invention spaces, laboratories, and start-up incubators in universities and junior colleges, and startup support centre across the city.