Cannabis Startups Find Amity in Denver’s Newest Coworking Space

For freelancers and small businesses, community co-working is all the rage in Denver. Space for freelancers and innovative startups often offer a home-like atmosphere with a kitchen, natural lighting and ample desks as well as private office options. Themed or career-specific co-working options have also begun to pop up increasingly often. Everyone from writers to app developers and artists now have a unique spot to find their daily grind.

Dave Pike and Michael Looney certainly saw their opportunity in the field — a co-working space for cannabis startups. Green Labs is only six months old and is located in the industrial-turned-art district of RiNo (River North) in Denver. While still new, the 3,100-square-foot loft is expected to be at 75 percent capacity in the coming weeks. Currently three startups, a marijuana-themed radio show, a company that builds grow-rooms and a customer relationship management firm are filling the desks at Green Labs.

According to Forbes Magazine, Looney also started Alt-Space in Manhattan. While parties and events are common in the marijuana trade, the founders saw the need for working together as well.

Benefits to a co-working atmosphere are numerous. They typically cost less than renting a separate office space, often do not require a lease contract and surround workers with like-minded individuals to share ideas, network and stave off the all too common “freelancer-isolation.”

In an appreciable effort to continue to make the marijuana trade more polished — Green Labs is not a place to get high, but a place for business.

According to Forbes, the founders are in talks to secure space next door for events and gatherings. Looney and Pike have also penciled in plans for expansion in other soon to be legal states.

What you think? Would you join a marijuana co-working space?