When Marko Frigelj opened his first coworking space, The IncuHub, in Downtown Portsmouth, he found success as demand for reasonably priced office space was great. This year, he crossed the water to Downtown Hampton to open a second coworking space that caters to entrepreneurs.
Like the Incuhub in downtown Portsmouth, the new location is in a HUBZone business district. Operated by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the program helps small businesses grow in historically underutilized business zones with a goal of awarding at least 3% of federal contract dollars to HUBZone-certified companies each year.
Frigelj, who also owns PMA IT Solutions, says The IncuHub is more than just a co-working space, it’s a place for entrepreneurs to exchange ideas and support one another.
“We want to build a strong sense of community and have a network where entrepreneurs are able to feed off each other’s experiences and expertise,” says Gene Granger, vice president, and chief operating officer who manages the facilities.
“This is a place for entrepreneurs to collaborate informally. It’s a place to ask other entrepreneurs ‘hey how did you handle this situation?’ It’s a place to get free business advice, and it’s good to be in a space with like-minded people with whom you can share ideas,” Frigelj says.
There are plans to begin activities and programs for members in the near future. One member perk is access to free checking and savings accounts with Fulton Bank which will offer business banking seminars to members, Granger says.
Unlike the Portsmouth location, the Hampton IncuHub location has three office suites complete with reception desks. There are eight private offices, shared and solo desks in cozy corners and a conference room, fully wired. The IncuHub offers mail boxes and other services for members, and conference rooms rented by the hour, are open to the public.
Frigelj says they chose the Downtown Hampton location because like Downton Portsmouth, it’s in the center of Coastal Virginia.
“We want The IncuHub to be an outlet for entrepreneurs to share ideas with each other and help each other thrive, Granger says. “It’s so much more than just a place to keep office hours,”
