[Founder] Dariusz Żuk, Founder and CEO of Business Link
How do you grow your coworking brand from 1 to 16 spaces?
Tell us how and why did you start Business Link and what is the vision behind the brand?
It’s important to bear in mind, that Business Link is a part of something greater, that started with AIP – the all-Polish network of Academic Incubators of Entrepreneurship. Back then, when we staring it was just 7 or 8 of us. Start-up full steam ahead. Having set 56 such incubators all over Poland, we helped more than 12.000 business ventures, becoming the biggest network in Europe. After step 1, there was a time for step two – a concept of a bit more mature environment where ventures can accelerate faster and lean – that claim is what’s Business Link is built on.
Right now, we’re once again the largest ecosystem of future entrepreneurs in CEE. Business Link designs premium spaces and backs businesses at every stage of its growth. Creativity and talent aiming to the future deserves such an environment.
The thing is – we’re growing fast. The challenge for us is to keep the “start-up” mindset (acting lean and agile, being close to our Clients etc.) while acting globally. Gladly we are good at that particular combination, which we took as our modus operandi.
How was the startup and coworking scene at the time when you started Business Link?
The very first Business Link (Zebra Tower, launched 7 years ago) was a start-up itself. It became the biggest co-working spaces in our country and also – in this part of Europe. Back then both start-up and coworking scenes were in their infancies- few startups and only couple of small offices to rent. I believe that our start was a bit a start for all – we’ve been pionners.
How is it different today?
Today we are surrounded by a tremendous number of start-ups! We’re lucky to run business in one of the most buoyant moment. Venture Capital Funds are doing their jobs great, EU poured lots of funds into our economy. But… (not to brag) – over last couple of years we have helped many ventures to grow. We blush when we hear or read about higher and higher capitalization of companies that started in Business Link.
Business Link is now the first coworking operator in Poland with 15 locations across the country, how do grow a coworking brand with multiple locations?
We are market leader in serviced offices that’s why we are taking care about our ecosystem very much. It’s constantly evolving and changing. Hopefully this potential is recognized not only by start-ups, but also corporations in Central and Eastern Europe. In the next 2 years number of our locations will increase to about 25, which is a high added value for the our community but also for corporations this will allowed them to change and modernize processes.
We can see now that more than 40% of companies using Business Links cooperate with each other. Network management is a challenge that we meet through, among other things like complex IT systems. In the near future, linking our residents will be even more important thanks to the Business Link SpaceOs communication platform (we bought it from startup in our community) For example, it allows you to easily find business partners and order your favorite sushi set for a specific desk in your office.
What are the challenges that you face when you have multiple locations that are different from the moment you started?
A larger scale is a great advantage, but also a challenge. Management of multiple locations, extensive IT systems and the financing process itself thanks to SKANSKA are significant differences from the past. The developer has invested several dozen million zlotys in Business Link, thanks to which approximately 12 new locations in Central and Eastern Europe with a total area of 45 to 50 thousand square meters will be built in the coming years. Thanks to the planned expansion we will become the largest in this part of Europe and one of the leaders globally.
Achieving the goals requires a larger team. Currently, we employ about 150 people and started from 7-8. Selecting, managing and motivating the best group is a very important factor for us.
We used to dream of an entrepreneurial Poland, where innovative ideas and products are created. Today, thanks to us among other things, the industry is strongly developed and is still developing, just like the co-working sector. The current challenge is no longer to create a friendly space, but to grow a ecosystem, where people are linked. We are still not entirely satisfied, we still see room for improvement and development. That is why we are taking trip to future now.
