Start Up Curaçao, a platform set up to help entrepreneurs become successful in Curaçao, held a Business Marketing Fair on April 24th to present Workspot Curaçao. This is a coworking space in the heart of Willemstad that is a joint venture with a larger company from the Netherlands, that focuses on providing flexible working spaces and other digital support services to aspiring entrepreneurs.
TEXT NEELAM MELWANI
About Start-Up Curaçao
Start Up Curaçao was founded by a group of entrepreneurs in Curaçao. The platform focuses on providing entrepreneurs with the necessary services to set up their businesses. The founding principle of the platform is that collaboration is the key to success. The platform, therefore, mainly aims to connect entrepreneurs to one another, facilitates processes to allow them to help each other, and so, help themselves to be successful.
Services include the following:
• The co-working space that opened on April 24th – a learning platform to bring entrepreneurs together and provide them with unique training and learning opportunities.
• An investor platform to facilitate applying for and receiving funding.
• An events platform with the aim of better connecting entrepreneurs to each other, locally and internationally.
Workspot Curaçao is a co-working space built in a historical building in Scharloo, located in the downtown area. The space is fully equipped with wireless Internet connection, computers and printers, and other office material. The area even has a fully equipped lounge with a couch and a hammock. Along with the large open working spaces, clients can also choose to rent smaller more private office spaces as their companies continue to grow. Flexible working spaces are available for rent for different terms, at very reasonable costs.
Promoting Curaçao’s Entrepreneurial Culture
Despite its small size, the possibilities on the island are endless, and in spite of the existence of endless possibilities, little has been done in the past to support entrepreneurs and allow them to make their ideas reality. Start Up Curaçao, as an all-encompassing platform, is a great step in the right direction. Its focus on stimulating collaboration through events and flexible workspaces is a huge step forward for an island that recently has seen an increase in its entrepreneurial culture. Bringing people together is vital for the success of any sole proprietorship.
With the possibilities of export increasing, as indicated by the Curaçao Chamber of Commerce, fostering the entrepreneurial culture is as important as ever. The world is becoming more and more interconnected, and Curaçao’s entrepreneurs should be provided with the necessary support to allow good ideas to grow and positive business initiatives to flourish, ensuring that Curaçao can continue to become a better place to do business, locally, regionally and internationally.