Newark tech start-up goes national

A Newark-based provider of virtual office, social and event software which promotes collaboration and communication, has launched nationwide as enquiries into alternatives to physical offices and traditional venues rise.

Tech start-up Collab has opened its virtual office doors having just completed a successful two-week pilot, which attracted more than 130 businesspeople from a range of sectors across the East Midlands.

Now, Collab is open to paying customers.

Steff Wright, chair of Gusto Group, the company behind Collab, said: “The last two-weeks have been a real learning curve for those making use of Collab to host client and team meetings, events and even social gatherings.”

“We’ve welcomed people from a range of businesses, charities and not-for-profit organisations, all of whom have been able to connect with others at the touch of a button.”

In the Collab office as well as being able to talk to one another more freely, users can message anyone in the office, pull up a white board and share screens to edit a document in real time, together.

Pilot participant, Cathy Lowe, head of fundraising and marketing at Beaumond House Hospice Care said: “From my perspective Collab is so much more of a natural tool that other platforms – it is more relaxed and actually can mimic real work settings if you give it a try – I loved the informality but ability to be talk privately when necessary.”

Collab events can host up to 800 guests who can move between tables and speak to different groups, while hosts can present to everyone and call people up on to the stage to deliver updates – perfect for large-scale team meetings, networking, conferences and award ceremonies.

Collab offices have space for up to 850 people and connected desks can seat from two to eight people. Large businesses are invited to take up a floor or even have their own building, dedicated to their specific needs.

Wright added: “Anyone who has been working remotely since March will know how challenging it has been to keep up the same quality of communication with their team, suppliers and customers.

“Having to email a link for a meeting rather than just looking over the top of your desk and talking to a colleague has led to a breakdown in collaboration and communication for many.

“Thanks to Collab, teams can get back into a safe space with one another, start a conversation, share a link via the chat function or share their screen to work on a project together.”

Another participant of the recent pilot was Simon Witts, Founder of Aviation 360. He said: “I’m familiar with the standard shared office concept having started organisations in REGUS offices and so I was intrigued as to how this would all play out virtually.

“After two weeks now, I have to say that I am a real fan and my colleagues like it too. Visitors have also found it really refreshing – I’m here to stay and we’re already thinking about how this could work across our whole sector!”

Gusto Group says that events organisers have already started making use of the software to host local, national and global conferences, business clubs, and an awards dinner alongside community events and even a virtual wake.

Sports fans are also in for a treat as the stadium venue will provide a space for fans to discuss matches and tournaments together. Just as with the office and event space, Collab social members can share a space with up to eight friends and chat freely before, during half-time and after a game while watching it live on their TV.

Wright said: “People might not be able to stand on the terraces together for a while longer yet, but that doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy a game in the company of their mates.”