Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals to provide a bursary for Melbourne co-working space

21 March 2017

The Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals (BCCM) will sponsor a place in the new 888 co-working space in Melbourne for a person engaged in co-operative development.

The BCCM sponsorship will be for someone who meets one or more of the following categories:

1.Emerging – a young (18-25) social entrepreneur working with others on a co-op start-up (or seeking to)

2.Kick-start – a person engaged in co-op enterprise or start-up without the financial means to purchase a co-working seat

3.Innovation – a person practically engaged in digital / online innovation such as platform co-op development

4.Rural – a commuting Victorian engaged in co-operative innovation in a rural/regional area who is looking for a part-time city base.

If you would like to apply for the bursary, giving you access to a quiet co-working space from March to the end of June 2017, and you fit into one of the categories above please provide a short one-page statement stating why you are interested in co-operatives and co-working, and the mutual benefit you could generate by being part of the 888 space.

Also please provide a character reference to vouch for your co-operative nature!

Contact: Anthony Taylor, [email protected]

Apply by: Close of Business 28 March 2017

Subject: 888 Co-working Space Bursary Application

About the 888 co-working space

The 888 co-working hub, located in the Melbourne CBD, has been established for start-up co-operatives and social cooperators working on innovative projects.

The space supports cross pollination of ideas and opportunities; and connects members with a broader community of cooperating freelancers who will eventually be part of the broader 888 ecosystem that even includes a brewing co-op and club.

Initial members of the group include a ‘co-opreneur’, a foresight thinker and practitioner, a service design specialist, a co-working expert, a finance expert setting up a platform co-op, a CEO of a new and innovative disability services co-op, a final year law student passionate about co-operative development and social members include a sharing economy leader and expert, a social measurement specialist, a strategy advisor, and a founder of a platform for entrepreneurship.

By being a part of the space you will learn by doing as we create and register the first Victorian co-operative co-working space and network in Melbourne.

Oh, and did we mention that we are affiliated to a quirky club in close proximity for after co-working socialising (and a member loves to play a bit of jazz)?