2020 will be a big year for edtech startup Knack. Originally founded in 2015, this year the company will be expanding its services across a slew of college campuses and racking up partnerships all while settling into its new office space.
The company, founded in Gainesville by co-founders Samyr Qureshi, Dennis Hansen, Shawn Doyle and David Stoker, has found its home that spans over 1,700 square feet at 514 N Franklin St. in downtown Tampa.
The office currently houses 11 full-time employees and Koda, Qureshi's husky/shepherd mix and 'Head of Barketing.' While Qureshi sees the value in coworking spaces like WeWork or hubs like Embarc Collective, he believes the standalone office space will allow his team to grow not only in size, but its culture as a whole.
"Getting into this office was big, because we were working from homes and coworking — we were at the (Tampa Bay) Wave before that," Qureshi said. "I think when you're finally in a space where you can build your own culture and do whatever you need to do, it just feels really great. This was a big turning point where I felt 'Wow, we've really done something cool.' You get to come in every day and that makes a big difference."
Some of Knack's perks include catered lunches Tuesday-Thursday and a monthly staff happy hour. Take a look at all its offerings — from its custom coffee blend to a Magic School bus mural created by one of Knack's engineers — below.
