5 Emerging Trends in Female-Focused Coworking Spaces for 2024

There are about 50 workspaces for women in Europe, according to a BBC article published earlier this year. Given the inclusive and community-focused nature of coworking, it’s no surprise that female-focused coworking spaces are in demand. But, what are the trends emerging in these workspaces for 2024? This article explores this topic further.

1. Supporting female entrepreneurs

Women have always been historically underrepresented in the workplace. Not only have female entrepreneurs struggled to access funding and opportunities in favour of their male counterparts, while experiencing significant sexism and misogynistic misconceptions about their ability to perform in business, but it’s also staggering to learn that until April 2023, there were more CEOs called John than female chief execs.

That’s in part why we need workspaces that support women. For example, the concept behind Hera Hub – a coworking space and business accelerator for women – came from a recognition that the business world wasn’t created by or for women. Hera Hub empowers its female community by giving them everything they need to start and scale their projects.

Similarly, Huckletree (a Nexudus customer) hosted a Women’s Circle last year with Lara Sheldrake, founder of Found & Flourish – an entrepreneur network for women and non-binary people. This session provided tips and tools to support working women.

2. Hotelification of the office

Likewise, the thriving event schedule facilitated by The Hearth, a holistic space for women in Finsbury Park, exemplifies a commitment to its female community. Topics range from menopause to female neurodiversity, and empowering women to thrive professionally and personally.

Rather than being a space filled with desks, The Hearth is appropriately described as homely – as it features comfortable, soft furnishings, a pastel colour scheme and aromatic scents. It’s ahead of the curve, not least because the office “hotelification” trend (defining how the design of workspaces is akin to hotel lobbies) was pronounced a buzzword at this summer’s GCUC UK Manchester conference.

Indeed, hospitality-infused flexible workspaces might be more indicative of inclusive workspaces. The use of soft furnishings, breakout spaces, and colourful offices in workspace design mark the “antidote to the traditional intimidating corporate office world,” details marketing director in Flex, Laurie Dennard, who also explains how wellness amenities indicate this shift.

3. Flight to amenities

Given that 93% of workers prioritise their well-being as much as their salary (when making career decisions), wellness amenities are firm additions to the coworking offering with gyms, yoga studios and meditation rooms sitting alongside today’s offices. Although it’s not gender-specific, a better work-life balance is something we can all get on board with.

But, Oru Space goes even further – combining workspace with wellness (offering daily yoga and meditation sessions) and food and beverage within its Dulwich and Sutton spaces. Soon, Oru Sutton will open a spa and nursery, the latter making Oru a trailblazer in providing childcare services within a workspace. It intends to hugely support working parents, who can work closer to their children, and probably their homes too.

Equally, creative amenities are becoming more popular in flexible workspaces. For example, Scotland’s first coworking space for women – Egg & Co (which began as an online community supporting women) – launched its brand new workspace in Edinburgh last year. A podcast studio might just work to improve representation in this traditionally male-dominated sector too. In 2022, it was reported that only 29% of US podcast creators were women, with 2% being non-binary.

4. The flexible nature of coworking

Like many coworking spaces, Egg & Co offers a range of flexible membership options, from day passes to private office leases, and bookable amenities (like the podcast studio). The flexible nature of coworking aligns with current needs, especially those of mothers and caregivers who have fragmented time. Typically, coworking spaces stay open beyond the traditional 9 to 5.

Anna Whitehouse, otherwise known as Mother Pukka, is a well-known mumfluencer who lobbied for the Flexible Working Bill. Successfully passing through the UK parliament last year, the Bill gives people the right to request flexible working from the first day of employment. Whitehouse staunchly believed that flexibility greatly supports mothers, saying: “If flexibility was normalised, more women could maintain their careers after having kids — helping close the gender pay gap.”

Even further, the rise of neighbourhood workspaces in more residential and rural areas gives people a wider range of coworking options around their homes. Again, this provides greater access to opportunities for women who are more likely to meet like-minded people and participate in networking sessions and upskilling workshops.

5. DEI initiatives and a non-gender-specific focus

While the popularity of female-focused coworking spaces is clear, the values of inclusivity and promoting safe spaces matter above all else. A big question in today’s society is – should a coworking community be defined by its gender?

For example, The Coven was launched in 2018 as a women-only coworking space. But after its members requested to invite some of their male friends, it opened up for “allies and accomplices.” Now, around 20% of members are male. Their decision came at a time when another coworking space for women (The Wing) was accused of sexual discrimination, social exclusion, and mistreatment and racism of the team. The Coven founders felt that an inclusive safe space wasn’t necessarily tied to gender.

Many coworking spaces support DEI initiatives across intersectionalities. This is shown through hosting events around International Women’s Day (8th March), Black History Month (October), and Pride Month (June). For example, in partnership with Certified Proud, Huckletree ensures safe spaces across its hubs for the LGBTQ+ community – “a diverse, representative community is the only community we want to be a part of.”

Community mentality

Ultimately, says flex expert, Zoe Ellis-Moore, coworking spaces for women should be viewed as part of a trend where people work together in “tribes” (or amongst like-minded groups of people who share similar experiences). Niche communities are currently experiencing huge growth, but it’s a real positive sign that in 2022, a huge 150,000 businesses were founded by women too.

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