Working hard on innovations requires good fuel. To facilitate this, a new hospitality concept has been developed on Campus Groningen: Space Werkcafé (Work Cafe). Space will be located in the new Innovation Center Chemistry & Engineering on Zernike Campus, with room for larger companies, startups and R&D departments in the Innolab facilities. On Monday 11 October Jan Martin Timmer, fund manager of Investeringsfonds Groningen (IFG), one of the investors in the Innovation Center, and Paul Bronswijk together with Jordi Wijbenga of Cato Catering signed the partnership agreement for the operation of the Space Werkcafé. In this new hospitality hub there will be - beside bar space- flexible workspaces, conference rooms, catering and a special membership on offer. Jordi Wijbenga: “We really want to make a connection with the tenants of the Innolab, more than a cup of coffee at a meeting. We offer a membership to the community, that makes things as easy as possible and offers multiple benefits with respect to working, food and beverages.” Jan Martin Timmer (fund manager IFG): “In Paul Bronswijk and Jordi Wijbenga we found the entrepreneurial hospitality partners we were looking for for the Innovation Center Chemistry & Engineering. Their DNA suits the innovative ecosystem on Campus Groningen.”

Accessible hospitality spot

Space Werkcafé will be an accessible hospitality spot on the north side of Zernike Campus. The Werkcafé will have a divers supply in food & drinks, conferences and meeting on the third floor of the Innovation Center Chemistry & Engineering, including a sunny rooftop terrace, that offers a view on a large part of the Campus. In Space, 32 flex work spaces, 3 conference rooms and 5 meeting pods will be available for rent, also for external parties. The opening hours of Space will be the same as those of the building. With an innovative twist, as Jordi Wijbenga explains: “We offer a daily changingmenu between 11 and 14 hours, based on fresh and healthy produce, prepared by our employees on the spot. Outside these opening hours, visitors can get their own food and drinks and pay with a self-scanner. You can also order catering for events such as meetings and business lunches. The location is also very suitable for organising receptions and business events." 

Membership and opening

The Werkcafé is accessible to all residents and visitors of the Campus. Space hospitality wants to offer more with a special membership to the companies who rent a space in the Innolab. Besides catering for business events, they offer a complete service package for coffee and water in the office. In the future, there will also be extra occasions to meet for the members through activities such as seminars, lectures and presentations.

Opening
Space Werkcafé will open its doors in the beginning of 2022.