Startup Spaces: Looking back at the six featured startups of 2013

Last year we launched Startup Spaces, a monthly series in partnership with turnstone that showcases the unique offices of companies across the Silicon Prairie. Its been a lot of fun to coordinate over the last six months, and we’ve affectionately come to describe this series as “MTV Cribs for the startup crowd.”  We asked our…

Last year we launched Startup Spaces, a monthly series in partnership with turnstone that showcases the unique offices of companies across the Silicon Prairie. Its been a lot of fun to coordinate over the last six months, and we’ve affectionately come to describe this series as “MTV Cribs for the startup crowd.” 

We asked our friends at turnstone to assess the trends they’ve seen over the last year and let us know what they’re looking forward to in 2014 as startup offices continue to change.

Turnstone: Looking Ahead to 2014

“It’s no secret that the workplace is evolving. From the closed offices of the ’60s to the cubicles of the ’80s, 2014 promises to further blur the lines of what it is that exactly defines an ‘office.’ Trends in technology lead the way in allowing us to reimagine our workspaces by giving us the freedom to be mobile. Because of this, some argue that a formal workspace is unnecessary. Instead, turnstone believes that a central space is more important than ever to foster office culture and help create cohesion among your team.

One trend we see that contributes powerfully to a dynamic culture is the thoughtful use of both floor space and vertical space. Startups across the country are branding their space with creative incorporation of bright colors, artwork, logos and value statements positioned prominently on walls and doors. This trend provides instant personality and brand association with clients. Furthermore, putting your ‘vibe’ on display makes it easy for anyone walking into your office to connect with what you’re all about.

Once your space looks great, you’ll want to address your team’s variety of task-related needs. Turnstone believes that we’ll continue to see savvy offices creating ‘zones‘ for their team members in the New Year. The trend of providing spaces that allow for quiet or private work, as well as places to have fun and collaborate, will prove not only ideal but necessary for team growth and success. Because even though open offices are popular, we know that phone calls and performance reviews still happen best without an audience or the clang of vending machines in the background.

Finally, turnstone predicts 2014 will see continued trends that support well-being in the workplace by encouraging movement throughout the day. If you’re ready to do this, start by giving team members the option to use standing-height desks and permission to move freely between zones. Host a dance party during your next coffee break or invite a friend to walk after lunch. These simple steps can help diminish fatigue and promote circulation. Regardless of how you implement well-being, the bottom line is this: plan your space to get people moving. You’ll reap the benefits!”

With those trends in mind and the new year only a few days old, we decided to take a look back at some of the spaces—from Lincoln to Omaha to Des Moines to Kansas City—that we’ve featured in the last six months. 

Interested in having your startup featured? To submit your startup for consideration, email editor@siliconprairienews.com to tell us why your company should be featured, and include a few photos. 

July 2013 Take a look inside Goodsmiths’ Valley Junction office

We launched our first month of Startup Spaces with Des Moines-based startup Goodsmiths. Earlier this year, turnstone awarded the startup a $20,000 office makeover, including furniture and design consultation.


Recognize that handsome prairie dog on the right? Goodsmiths won New Startup of the Year at the inaugural Silicon Prairie Awards in 2012. 

 

No office is complete without a trusty skateboard rack.


August 2013 Sneak a peek at PeggyBank’s Omaha offices

Next came PeggyBank, a media conversion company in Omaha, with a more traditional office set up, but lots of personality and brand integration. 

Above left: The PeggyBank reception desk. Above right: Technicians place film in the reel of a 16mm digital film scanner. As the film passes through the gate a camera in the attached box captures each individual frame with the help of LED lights.

Over a dozen computers are joined by analog-to-digital conversion hardware. One of PeggyBank’s primary office challenges? Cord management.


September 2013 — Explore Bulu Box’s office, housed in a converted condo

From there we headed west to Lincoln, where the team at health- and fitness-focused Bulu Box works from the startup’s headquarters in a converted condo. 


Bulu Box sticks to its signature orange and white branding—even when it comes to office decor. 

Kate Stous, Bulu Box’s director of brand relations, says the full kitchen helps staffers eat healthier while working in the office. 


October 2013 — Take a look at Dwolla’s renovated Des Moines space

In October, Startup Spaces returned to Des Moines for a tour of Dwolla‘s newly renovated office, complete with a MakerBot, foosball table and lots of open space for team collaboration. 

Dwolla’s “Wall of Fame” hangs in each office and showcases all of the startup’s employees and key investors. 

Framed Dwolla T-shirts from over the years are on display in the startup’s newly renovated office. 


 

November 2013 Inside Brad Feld’s FiberHouse with Handprint

Our fifth Startup Spaces feature was unique in that 3D printing startup Handprint lives in the same Kansas City home where they work. In April, the startup won a competition put on by entrepreneur Brad Feld and moved into his three-bedroom FiberHouse with no rent for one year.  

Handprint’s recently renovated upstairs workspace gives the four-person team a great venue for collaboration. 

Since Handprint is a 3D printing startup, the house is outfitted with a number of 3D printers. 


December 2013 — Engage with MindMixer’s HQ in the Mastercraft

We closed out the year with MindMixer‘s headquarters in Omaha, located in the Mastercraft building just north of the Old Market. 

MindMixer keeps its company’s guiding principles top of mind with vibrant wall art. 

Team members in MindMixer’s Omaha office gather at the diner-style booths (pictured above) for meals. 

 

Credits: Goodsmiths and Dwolla photos by Frank Merchlewitz. PeggyBank and MindMixer photos by Michelle Vu. Bulu Box photos by Nick Goodwin. Handprint photos by Brooke Vandever. 

This story is part of the AIM Archive

This story is part of the AIM Institute Archive on Silicon Prairie News. AIM gifted SPN to the Nebraska Journalism Trust in January 2023. Learn more about SPN’s origin »

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