A large coworking company in Ohio plans to bring its rapid expansion to cyberspace.
Worthington-based COhatch plans to begin beta-testing to a small group in February, said Erin Maxson, the company's director of marketing and technology.
The first phase will include business listings, coupons, businesses, searches for needed projects and people, messaging, review features and a concept called Neighborhood, which is a group feature similar to Facebook for local hobbyists.
The beta test will be open to a small group of COhatch members and other local businesses, Maxson said. In the Dayton region, COhatch operates a location in Springfield.
"It's a mixed bag on the types of businesses, from services to local makers," Maxson said.
Matt Davis, COhatch's co-founder and CEO, said he hopes to use the concept to connect members nationwide.
"We have all these physical spaces nationally, but now we'll be able to give it all together digitally," Davis told Columbus Business First.
Davis said future phases will include concepts such as an education portal, family and work perks and a way for members to invest in local startups.
"You want these companies to have availability," Davis said. "If Drive Capital can put in $10 million, why can't other people put in $5 million?"
The digital marketplace will give COhatch members the most of the company's services, said Ryan Fogelman, co-founder and marketing director.
"The biggest thing we offer is the ability to have all the different resources at your fingertips," Fogelman said.
The company recently announced its plans to expand into Pittsburgh with three locations and plans for 15 total in the market.
COhatch has nearly 30 sites built or under construction across Columbus, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Cleveland and Tampa, Florida – and Davis continues to plan for expansion.
In November, he said COhatch is aiming for 40 locations in 10 markets by the end of 2023 and 60 locations in 15 markets by the end of 2025. Its 10-year plan calls 120 restorations of unique spaces, with more than 150 locations in 30 markets.
As of Jan. 11, Davis said the company was on track to meet these goals.
Davis and Fogelman told Business First he plans to announce two more markets and open 14 new locations this year, but the company's main focus is adding more value to the membership.
"COhatch's goal is to help connect people with others to learn what (they) don't know," Fogelman said.
