Zurich, 12 December 2019 – Swiss coworking provider Westhive and SHACK15 in San Francisco are now working together. The aim is to build bridges between the fast-growing startup ecosystem in Switzerland and the Bay Area around San Francisco, where some of the world’s most successful startups and funders are active. In addition to a structured connector programme, members of both companies can use the partner’s location free of charge.
San Francisco with the Bay Area and Silicon Valley is undisputedly the most important and largest innovation region in the world,» says Andreas Widmer, co-founder of Westhive. «Switzerland, on the other hand, with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) and the numerous renowned business universities, offers fertile ground for innovation – and has produced several successful companies in recent years. What we lack here, however, is the Bay Area’s unique entrepreneurial spirit and access to the business world, and we see huge potential in bringing these worlds together. Our partnership with SHACK15 in San Francisco allows our members to make that connection,» he continues.
Free Space Use and Connector Programme
From now on, Westhive members and SHACK15 members have the opportunity to use the partner’s space in San Francisco or Zurich for one week at no additional cost. A special highlight is the opportunity to get to know the most exciting start-ups in the Bay Area and Silicon Valley from San Francisco. «Connecting our members and corporate clients with some of the world’s most innovative minds and companies in such a dynamic environment in San Francisco is simply unique,» says Widmer.
«SHACK15 is specifically designed to be the gateway to San Francisco’s dynamic entrepreneurial landscape. We look forward to bringing the Westhive and SHACK15 communities together to open new doors for everyone involved,» says Tobias Johansson, SHACK15’s business director.
About Westhive
In April 2018, Westhive AG opened its first coworking location at Hardturmstrasse 161. Together with the Westhive location in Zurich’s Hürlimann Areal, around 400 workspaces with a full service infrastructure are now available. Further locations will open in Zurich city centre, Wollishofen, at the airport (The Circle) and in Basel in 2020, bringing the total number of workplaces to over 1000. Prominent Westhive members include strategic partner Swiss Startup Group, Valora Digital Innovation Lab, AMAG Group’s Innovation & Ventures Lab, LafargeHolcim startup MAQER and over 25 different startups from a wide range of industries.
About SHACK15
SHACK15 is a new kind of social space where passionate founders, innovators and changemakers from around the world come together. Located in San Francisco’s historic Ferry Building with panoramic views of the bay, SHACK15 features dedicated workspaces, a series of lounges, social amenities, multiple full-service bars, an in-house restaurant, coffee bar, wellness centre and a groundbreaking event space – SHACK15 was purpose-built as a dynamic gateway to San Francisco’s entrepreneurial landscape.
More information
Claus Bornholt
[email protected], 079 621 68 13
Westhive AG, Hardturmstrasse 161, 8005 Zürich
www.westhive.com