Coworking is a shared office space arrangement for workers from different companies and the self-employed. It started in San Francisco in 2005 with Brad Neuberg, building on 1990s European hacker spaces. Between 2006 and 2015, the number of spaces and available seats roughly doubled each year. Early adopters included France (2008), the US (2008), Kenya (2010), and Nigeria (2011). It targets freelancers, remote workers, SMEs, and niche groups—and distinguishes itself from incubators and executive suites through its social, collaborative, and cooperative ethos.
It emerged from hacker spaces in 1990s Europe and was formalised by Brad Neuberg in San Francisco in 2005.
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How fast it spread
Between 2006 and 2015, the number of coworking spaces and available seats roughly doubled each year.
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Where it landed first
It took root globally within years: Paris (2008), US green-focused spaces (2008), Lagos (2011), Nairobi (2010).
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Worth your time?
Yes. Study the whole thing.
3.5/ 5
What works
physical-infrastructure
professional-belonging
What does not
culture/art
culture/arts
culture/photography
culture/literature
Study it if
freelancers
remote-workers
SMEs
Skip it if
corporate-employees-on-assignment
students
Who should study it, and who should skipHide who it is for
The written brief1 min read
What the thing is
Coworking is a shared office space arrangement for workers from different companies and the self-employed.
Where it came from
It began in San Francisco in 2005 with Brad Neuberg, building on 1990s European hacker spaces where programmers exchanged skills and best practices.
What it gets right
It delivers infrastructure and community in one package. It gives freelancers, remote workers and SMEs access to professional space without long leases or isolation.
What it gets wrong
It conflates proximity with collaboration. Many spaces prioritise aesthetics and membership fees over actual cooperation or shared purpose.
Why it matters now
Remote work is no longer temporary. Coworking spaces are now infrastructure—testing how physical space can sustain professional belonging beyond corporate control.
Is it worth your time
Yes—if you work outside a traditional office and care about who else is in the room, not just the desk.
