You may have read about our favorite Valley co-working spaces, but thanks to the City of Tempe, we’ll need to update our list. Today, September 20th, Tempe is unveiling its brand new Business Resource and Innovation Center.
BRIC is a community center for aspiring, new, and seasoned business owners . It was built to allow entrepreneurs to host meetings, train staff, “build successful ventures, and scale existing businesses,” according to Tempe’s BRIC webpage. Its 8-person conference room, free WiFi, and 50-seat event room make it a flexible space for a range of businesses. Individuals and groups can settle into comfortable seating both inside and on the patio. And with Connections Café and Coffee Bar just a few steps away, entrepreneurs and innovators alike will be ready to tackle the day’s work with a coffee in hand.
Tempe’s new co-working space is fully staffed, so you can cross office maintenance off of your to-do list. Best of all, BRIC is totally free to use.
If you don’t already have a reason to use BRIC, don’t worry—ASU Startup School will help you out. Arizona State University has teamed up with BRIC to provide comprehensive entrepreneurship classes online. Aspiring entrepreneurs can join the “Stage 1” class to learn how to turn an idea into a business. More experienced entrepreneurs can join “Stage 2” and “Stage 3” classes, where they’ll learn to scale their businesses in smart and strategic ways. No matter what stage your business is in, you can attend ASU Startup School for free.
And in case online entrepreneurship classes aren’t really your style, BRIC will offer free in-person workshops led by experts in the areas of finance, marketing, taxes, social media, teen entrepreneurship, and more. One Million Cups will also offer networking opportunities every Wednesday. You’ll never run out of opportunities to learn and meet new people!
BRIC was started in the hope that fledgling companies will use the facility to meet with potential investors, clients, and suppliers. “Entrepreneurs and small businesses are vital to a sustainable economy,” Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell said at the announcement of BRIC. “Tempe is a city of great ideas. We want to empower our creative people to turn those ideas into successful businesses. Programs such as BRIC are important tools to help us accomplish this.”
Today, Mayor Mitchell and the Tempe City Council will unveil BRIC with a special grand opening celebration. Starting at 4:30 PM, locals can stop by to listen to live music and hear from Dave Arnce, founder of Cartel Brewery and The Shop Beer Company. BRIC will officially open for business at 5 PM. The event is free to attend, and everyone (entrepreneur or otherwise) is welcome.
