Office Space Matchmaking Service, Dublin

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The Office Space Matchmaking Service, also known as Space Matchmakers, is an initiative designed to connect startups and small businesses with available office space in Dublin.
What are the main aims and objectives?

The main goals of the Office Space Matchmaking Service in Dublin are to address the challenges of high commercial rents and limited flexible office space, particularly for startups and small businesses. By fostering these connections, it aims to provide affordable and flexible workspace solutions, enabling startups to operate without committing to long-term leases. Additionally, the initiative supports Dublin's growing reputation as a tech hub by promoting collaboration and community-building among businesses in key locations like The Digital Hub and Guinness Enterprise Centre. 

How does the program work?

The Office Space Matchmaking Service in Dublin works by connecting startups and small businesses seeking flexible and affordable office space with companies or individuals who have surplus desks or office areas available for rent. This initiative is particularly tailored to address the challenges posed by rising commercial rents and limited availability of adaptable workspaces in Dublin, especially for burgeoning tech companies.

The process begins with individuals or teams expressing their requirements for office space, such as the number of desks needed, preferred location, and budget. Similarly, businesses with extra office capacity list their available spaces, including details like amenities and pricing. The matchmaking service then facilitates a connection between these two parties, ensuring that the needs of both the space seekers and providers align. This approach allows startups to access professional workspaces without committing to long-term leases while enabling companies with unused office space to generate additional income.

The service is particularly focused on fostering collaboration within Dublin’s startup ecosystem, with key hubs like The Digital Hub and Guinness Enterprise Centre serving as central locations. 

 

What is the overall cost?

There is no available information on the running costs of the program. 

How was it implemented?

The Office Space Matchmaking Service was created in 2017 as an initiative by the Dublin Commissioner for Startups, Niamh Bushnell, in response to the growing challenge of limited affordable office space for startups in the city. The service was launched as a website to address the recurring issue of small companies struggling to find suitable workspace in the capital.

The initiative was born out of repeated "anecdotal evidence" of small companies unable to find appropriate office space in Dublin. To address this problem, a website was developed to facilitate the matchmaking process, allowing companies with extra space to post details about their available areas. The platform enables businesses to list information such as the amount of space available, duration of availability, and associated costs, if any.

The creation of this service was a direct response to Dublin's office space shortage, which had become increasingly acute. By 2015, the vacancy rate for office space in Dublin had fallen to its lowest level since 2001, with only 31% of vacant stock located in the city center. This initiative aims to alleviate pressure on the commercial real estate market while supporting the growth of Dublin's startup ecosystem.

What impact has been measured?

There is no available information about the impact of the service. 

What lessons can be learned?

The initiative demonstrates how creative solutions can address pressing urban issues. By connecting companies with surplus space to startups in need, the service efficiently utilizes existing resources without requiring new construction.

CURATED BY

Simona Bielli

Research Programme Coordinator – Digital Startups
Nesta
United Kingdom