A technology hub in downtown Asbury Park is getting a major renovation as it moves to a bigger location — and its owners still aren’t done expanding their business.
Cowerks is an office where web developers, entrepreneurs, tech-focused startups and freelancers of all kinds can work together instead of working from home. The business began in the summer of 2010. Its offices are currently located on Mattison Avenue. Cowerks is also known for its tech conferences, meetups and workshops, held throughout the year in Asbury Park.
In less than one month, the business is moving to the Lakehouse Building, at 619 Lake Ave. That building will also be home to Lakehouse Music, a recording studio, rehearsal space and music academy, as well as Russo Music Center.
Cowerks’ new space will have four private offices, a conference room and common space to accommodate about a dozen freelancers, contractors and other one-person businesses.
Owners Bret Morgan [pictured above, from left] and Danny Croak were instrumental in one of the earliest fundraising efforts post-Hurricane Sandy, selling T-shirts and sweatshirts online to raise money for the American Red Cross.
Now, they’re crowdsourcing once again, this time looking for contributions through IndieGoGo to help them expand their business offerings. Contributors will receive gift packages ranging from custom ceramic mugs to Cowerks T-shirts to drop-in sessions at their offices.
“Aside from the amenities, we plan to expand upon the events we’ve been hosting,” said Morgan in a prepared release.
Cowerks will partner with service providers like startup law firm SorinRand and IncubateNYC to deliver advice through workshops, bootcamps and breakout sessions, he said.
They’d also like to partner with local high schools to offer students access to technology classes and mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs, Morgan said.
“I feel that what we’ve been building is going to help pave the way for the next generation of entrepreneurs right here in our backyard,” he said.
