PETALING JAYA: There is a boom in co-working space in the Klang Valley, partly driven by the office space surplus, hence attracting big players jumping onto the bandwagon, such as Hong Leong Group and Paramount Property.
Unfazed by the intensifying competition, Iconik believes that it has what it takes to forge its own path in the highly competitive market.
“We don’t just want to be a typical co-working space but to create an ecosystem for startups,” its CEO Sharon Tan (pix) told SunBiz.
For Iconik, its 5,400-sq ft space is supplemented by other pillars in its brand.
Under its Tough Get Going (TGG) pillar, the co-working space offers startups, young entrepreneurs and the public at large the opportunity to hear the success stories of startups and entrepreneurs, as well as from subject matter experts on topics relating to their business.
Iconik conducts paid workshops and courses under its TGG Academy, where participants could pick and choose the modules that are relevant to their interest and business.
In addition, the co-working space holds a monthly co-founder matching event for those with an idea for startups or interested to join to look for a partner.
Iconik also has a freelancer platform called “crazyants.asia” for startups and young entrepreneurs to engage vetted freelancers to help them with various tasks.
In sharing her entrepreneurial story, Tan conceded that property overhang was the reason behind the venture into the co-working space business due to difficulty in securing tenants for the space.
“Although my initial view has changed since meeting my TGG co-founder Anita and getting more involved in the startup community, it has become a means for me to give back to the community.”
“When I started as a young entrepreneur, there was no such ecosystem, no co-working space, so I started in my apartment.”
“We should have more entrepreneurs, hence that is why I am building up this ecosystem to encourage more people to be entrepreneurs.” To that end, Tan said Iconik also takes on the role of investors.
“There have been enquiries from startups seeking investments, if there is a good worthwhile opportunity, we would consider investing,” she said.
For Tan, the ecosystem building strategy for Iconik has started to bear fruit, as the free community events and talks have translated into tenants and participants for its workshops.
Going forward, Iconik plans to focus more on its TGG Academy, which offers affordable and practical techniques and skills taught by practitioners that are relevant to the startup community.
“Apart from that we are also toying with the idea of co-working space for specific needs such as a food & beverages.”
“We are looking towards providing a more bespoke offerings customised for specific customers rather than just the typical table, desk and chair offerings.”
source https://www.thesundaily.my/business/iconik-aims-to-build-ecosystem-for-startups-KY1890185
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