Germinating inside the cinderblock walls of The Old Cigar Building at the corner of Harriman and Irving in Bend (just off Greenwood) are the seeds for nearly two dozen businesses. That might qualify the location, on strictly a per square foot basis, as one of the busiest and most productive spots in town. The old blue building with the stylish garage door and the sleek modernistic furnishings serves as home for TechSpaceBend, a co-working environment for startup businesses and tech or creative professionals just a few blocks from the heart of downtown.

Owned by G5 Marketing founder Dan Hobin, spaces in the Cigar Building became available for rental in the spring of 2010 through an arrangement between Hobin and the Central Oregon Tech Alliance, a local non-profit dedicated to the support and promotion of tech companies and start-ups in the area. The primary goal was then, and remains today, to offer affordable and informal office space to small tech companies in a physical environment that would foster collaboration, cooperation, networking, creativity, fun, and success. In addition, a portion of rents paid generates some funding for the Tech Alliance, their affiliated user groups, and sponsored events.

TechSpace offers a variety of rental options. They have full offices large enough for two or three people, half offices, and partitioned work desks. There are also work tables for those who want to drop by with their laptops but have no need for desk space. One of the most interesting spaces in the building, the old cedar-lined tobacco humidor, serves as the common conference room, available by reservation to all tenants. Renters also receive internet service, printer and copier use, 24/7 building admittance, and access to sponsored events. Rent is, of course, on a sliding scale depending upon the type of space needed, and is prepaid at the beginning of the month. Visiting entrepreneurs are welcome on a daily basis for a donation. No phone service or secretarial services are provided. Tenants are expected to utilize their own cellular services.

According to Robert Kieffer, one of several folks involved in the workings of the facility, TechSpace currently has about 18-20 tenants renting offices or workspaces. Another half dozen or so pay a monthly drop-in fee, which gives them 24/7 access, as opposed to those who drop in on a daily basis. Kieffer noted that they are not quite full, but for the time being, are getting very close to capacity.

In an effort to help define TechSpace as a hub for technological activity in town, managers have strived to include the building in numerous events and downtown activities, and have allied themselves with such organizations as EDCO (Economic Development for Central Oregon), The Bend Venture Conference (scheduled for October 13-14 this year), BendTech (an association of local tech professionals), and of course, the Tech Alliance.

Two regular events are scheduled at the facility each month, and all interested individuals are welcome to attend. Mobile Mondays are scheduled the first Monday of each month at 5:30 P.M. and are billed as a time to “share innovative visions, trends, studies and forecasts from the mobile marketplace” as well as an opportunity to “facilitate and create partnerships” among mobile industry enthusiasts. Creative Mornings are held the third Friday of each month at 8 A.M. and are a similar opportunity for those interested in “marketing, branding, design, or other creative pursuits.”

This fall, in partnership with the Bend Venture Conference (BVC) and sponsored by Silver Moon Brewing, TechSpaceBend will be presenting their second TechSpace unConference, described as an opportunity “to learn about the startup scene in Bend, meet local entrepreneurs, and enjoy a beer.” Whether or not one is attending the BVC, all are invited to TechSpace between 2:30 and 5:00 for idea sharing and collaborative discussions surrounding all things tech related. Attendees are invited to participate with ten-minute presentations on the tech subject of their choice. Topics should be submitted in advance via the unConference website. Currently scheduled topics include: Lessons Learned Six Months After Starting a Local Social Media Agency; Startups Then and Now – The Game Has Changed; and How to (Try to) Make a Million Dollars Combining Twitter with Real-time Stock Trading.

TechSpaceBend is located at 906 NW Harriman Street, Bend, OR 97701

Visit their website at www.techspacebend.com or email them at info@techspacebend.com

Questions regarding leasing space can be directed to Kat Merrick at G5 Marketing – 541-306-3397

For Information about the TechSpace unConference visit http://www.techspacebend.com/unconference-techspacebend

Information regarding the BendVenture Conference is available at http://www.bendvc.com/

About Kent Wickham

Kent Wickham spent thirty years in the tourism industry. He and his wife, Beth, have lived in Bend since 1988. He currently writes part-time and manages his own rental properties. He can be reached at kent@bendceo.com.

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