COLUMBUS, OHIO, April 27, 2021 – COhatch, the Worthington-based company with a new approach to shared work, social, and family space, is expanding its hometown presence to cultivate an entrepreneur ecosystem that will provide a launching pad for hundreds of minority, women, and purpose-driven tech start-ups. COhatch The Gateway is being built to organize and orchestrate a new generation of entrepreneurs and companies that will utilize technology and physical concepts to improve the world. 

COhatch The Gateway at 1581 North High St. in Columbus will focus on addressing some critical business issues exposed during 2020, such as the overrun of small businesses by large, efficient digital companies; unequal access to technology and resources; a lack of exposure for great local ideas and assets; and a lack of premium “open for all” community spaces and resources in which to incubate. COhatch The Gateway aims to provide solutions to all these challenges and more.

The flagship COhatch location will include The Ohio State University’s Digital Flagship Design Lab, Zell Capital, Commonwealth Impact Fund, the Minority Enterprise Institute, the Dublin-based Women’s Small Business Accelerator, BLK hack, Color Coded Labs, and a national business accelerator.

“If you really look at it, technology and large digital companies with enormous resources are being designed to tear apart your local economy,” said Matt Davis, co-founder and CEO of COhatch. “There is a huge opportunity to organize and utilize entrepreneurs, technology, and a large amount of vacant brick and mortar to fix a lot of the problems we see right here in Columbus and in towns throughout Ohio.”

To help marry innovation and investment, COhatch The Gateway will also be home for Zell Capital, a new investment company in Columbus.

“This is an amazing and timely opportunity for Zell Capital to join COhatch and support the local technology ecosystem” said Will Zell, founder and CEO of Zell Capital. “The Gateway will foster entrepreneurship and access in the community, and we are excited to contribute our innovative approach to venture capital.”

In addition to Zell Capital, COhatch The Gateway will also have a Design Lab operated by The Ohio State University as part of the university’s Digital Flagship program. Uniquely located among workforce professionals, the Design Lab will be a catalyst for creativity and connection between the Ohio State and greater Ohio communities – a space for innovative partnerships that allow new ideas to grow and flourish.

“COhatch The Gateway is the ideal vehicle for us to help revitalize Columbus while helping close America’s wealth gap through digital solutions for minority entrepreneurs,” said Jay Hein, managing director of Commonwealth Impact Fund. “We believe that smart technology can accelerate community renewal and change from the inside out.”

COhatch plans on launching the space in June and, as part of the celebration, will be awarding several Boost Scholarships to minority- and women-owned start-up companies or organizations. The company also will grant an annual scholarship to The Ohio State University Presidential Scholars. All of those interested in participating with The Gateway can apply at startup@cohatch.com.

The newest Columbus location will have nearly 8,000 sq. ft. of workspace, including 21 private offices, more than 100 coworking seats and six meeting rooms. COhatch’s to-be-named Start-Up Orchestrator will work to connect development experts, impact investment partners, accelerator programs, women and minority start-ups and university resources.

About COhatch 

COhatch, a new kind of shared work, social, and family space built on community, offers members the services, activities and amenities to live a fully integrated life that balances work, family, well-being, community and giving back. Founded in 2016, COhatch was created through the collaboration of a group of friends who wanted to live out their ideal lives and improve their community  ̶  think Town Hall 2.0. COhatch has 10 open locations  and 15 sites under construction nationwide in Columbus, Cincinnati, and Springfield, Ohio; Indianapolis, Indiana; and St. Petersburg, West Tampa, and Lakeland, Florida. Visit www.cohatch.com for more information. Follow COhatch on  FacebookInstagramTwitter, and LinkedIn.

Published On: April 26, 2021Categories: Impact, Industry Insights

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