06.01.21
New Options Available for Remote-less Working Entrepreneurs
Tammy Allen, Director | Marketing & Programs, The NIIC
The NIIC Safe Spaces Program Now Open
For Immediate Release
June 1, 2021, Fort Wayne, Ind.— The Northeast Indiana Innovation Center (NIIC) announced today the introduction of a new Safe Spaces Program, an innovative, flexible workspace design for area entrepreneurs and start-up businesses seeking a safe and productive office environment as the pandemic subsides and beyond. Cabanas are available with the Oasis opening on June 1, 2021. Click here to reserve space. https://niic.net/start/flexspace/
“The NIIC is committed to creating morehttps://niic.net/start/flexspace/ options and choices to support the demands and requirements of post-pandemic entrepreneurs. Through a partial grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne, The NIIC is excited to offer new and flexible place-making options for entrepreneurs to grow and build their businesses,” stated Karl R. LaPan, President & CEO, The NIIC.
NIIC’s new Safe Spaces Program transforms traditional cubicle design in one of its coworking areas into modern, customized office pods to protect individuals and their business assets. In collaboration with local partner YOURspace, The NIIC brings Northeast Indiana’s entrepreneurial community two new innovative office experiences.
The first is called Cabana and provides a welcome professional alternative to informal workspaces, such as coffee shops, public places, or the garage. In addition, Cabana is wi-fi enabled to offer a flexible hourly option to meet the need for side-gigs to get out of their homes and connect with other interesting enterprising people and business support services.
The second new experience is called Office Oasis, which replaces open cubicles with an enclosed modular office for private, productive work. The NIIC’s custom configuration is uniquely designed for post-pandemic businesses looking for affordable, high-quality space.
“Now more than ever, entrepreneurs and small businesses want to get back to a safe, productive work environment. They miss the entrepreneurial community, connectedness, and culture of working with and interacting with others. These innovative experiences offer more options for returning to an office environment,” said Mike Fritsch, Director of Revenue and Senior Entrepreneur in Residence, The NIIC.
LaPan stated, “We selected YOURspace because of their customized and flexible solutions based on deep industry expertise and their high-quality product, which meets the demands of our entrepreneurs. We are thrilled to have a company that pays attention to the ergonomics, flexibility, sound-dampening, and innovation in removing the open office feel to address the safeguards and concerns of returning workers.”
David Faust, CEO and Founder, of YOURspace said, “Our products are produced by long-time Ft. Wayne structural designer and manufacturer Highmark TechSystems. YOURspace is a start-up, and we appreciate both the high-quality resources The NIIC provides for start-ups as well as the entrepreneurs’ need for productive, safe, flexible, and affordable space to conduct business.”
Innovation is a core principle of the new Safe Spaces at The NIIC. “These three Northeast Indiana organizations – The NIIC, YOURspace, and Highmark – have innovation in their DNA. Innovation is at the heart of The NIIC. YOURspace takes an innovative approach to private workspaces. Highmark’s modular proprietary components are based on innovative systems technology. This collaboration should be inspiring for companies on the rise and a source of pride for the Ft. Wayne business community in general,” said Debbie Parrott, CEO of Highmark and YOURspace partner.
Click here to reserve space. https://niic.net/start/flexspace/
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Office Oasis replaces open cubicles with an enclosed modular office for private, productive work. The NIIC’s custom configuration is uniquely designed for post-pandemic businesses looking for affordable, high-quality space. Photo provided by MySpace.
About Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne
For nearly 100 years, the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne has been a public charitable foundation serving Allen County since 1922. The Community Foundation had assets of approximately $183 million at December 31, 2020, and awarded more than $7.9 million in charitable grants and scholarships in that year. The Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne does three things: help people make their charitable giving more impactful, connect funding to nonprofits through effective grantmaking, and provide leadership to address community needs to improve quality of life. Every day we connect people and resources to build a more vibrant community.
About YOURspace
YOURspace, a provider of modular office pod solutions for workspaces in a variety of settings, is based in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Backed by proven systems technology via design and manufacturing partner, Highmark TechSystems, YOURspace products are manufactured entirely in the U.S. and are available online at www.yourspaceinc.com.
About Highmark TechSystems
Highmark TechSystems is America’s trusted supplier of advanced modular exhibit systems and structural solutions, available for purchase or rent for indoor and outdoor events and environments. For over 20 years, Highmark’s proprietary products are known for design versatility, weight and installation efficiencies, and ease of use. For more on Highmark, please visit www.highmarktech.com.
About The NIIC
499 new products launched, 196 patent applications submitted or granted, and 2,351 jobs created—that is what entrepreneurs had achieved through The NIIC since its inception two decades ago. The NIIC has also connected Northeast Indiana companies to attract $100.4 million in grants and capital.
The NIIC is a non-profit, vibrant entrepreneurial community designed to advise entrepreneurs to plan, launch, and grow successful business ventures. The NIIC bolsters innovative companies to move ideas into action. The NIIC is located in a designated U.S. Small Business Administration HUB Zone. In April 2018, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb designated The Northeast Indiana Innovation Park Campus as an Opportunity Zone through the U.S. Treasury. The NIIC is the country’s only ISO9001:2015 registered business incubation and acceleration program. Additionally, the International Business Innovation Association (inbia.org) recognized the NIIC as the 2020 Entrepreneur Center of the Year – Mixed-use and awarded it one of the two prestigious industry awards – the 2020 Dinah Adkins Award. TheNIIC.org. Click here for The NIIC press kit.
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