Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/468967
28 | I NSIGH T • M a r c h 2 0 15 w w w . i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m with Brett Schilke and Matthew Straub of IDEAco, originally based in Appleton. "e cofounders were looking to create a space where people who worked from home and entrepreneurs could gather, have a place to work that wasn't a coffee shop and get out of the house, and foster that community," says Kim Hottenstine, an environmental health and safety compliance consultant, who helps manage the space. e coworking space is home to about 11 entrepreneurs, says David Kieffer, part of the puzzle-game- developing Kieffer Bros. team, who also helps manage the space. "Personally, I've met a lot of people, made a lot of connections and friends too, that I definitely never would have met just staying cooped up in my house all day," Kieffer says. "It just felt really healthy from an emotional-social standpoint, and also very interesting from a business standpoint, being able to meet people who are in similar fields who understand the Internet and technology." Also in Appleton, BConnected owner Brad Cebulski is developing a coworking space with four other entrepreneurs. e inspiration came when he and another tech company owner were looking for creative spaces and decided to team up to find one they could share. ey looked and didn't find many great options, Cebulski says. "en we came back and said, what if it was a lot bigger than that — what if it was more than just space for us?" Cebulski says. "What if it became something that improved this culture, this community?" When they started looking around they realized they weren't the only ones seeking such a space. As they looked at what other cities were doing, "we started realizing that we were kind of behind the times, if you will, and losing momentum at gaining that young talent," he says. e space is in the development stage but Cebulski hopes to have it open sometime this year. He's working with Brandon Wentland of Optimal Digital Marketing; Neil Mix, an Appleton resident who is director of engineering for Pandora; Garritt Bader, principal at GB Real Estate Investments; and Peter Nugent of Green Bay's Docking Station. "I think that downtown Appleton has a lot of momentum going for it right now, and I want to take the position of creating the community that you want rather than waiting for someone else to do it," Cebulski says. "I think it can serve as a hub for that part of the economy – that younger, creative entrepreneur that is looking for a place to start." O N T H E W E B » www.theavenuehq.com » www.thedockingstation.net » www.thevaultoshkosh.com INNOVATION