Entrepreneurship The Culture of

The 701 coworking space in Grand Forks, operated by nonprofit Evolve Grand Forks, sits downtown on South Third Street. Its developers say it embodies collaboration. Tenants can brainstorm or write notes on the chalkboard walls that coat the outside of the free-standing conference room, or on the front streetfacing windows. The idea of the coworking space is to support entrepreneurs ready to expand out of their garages or basements, says Brandon Baumbach, president of Evolve Grand Forks.

The space is flexible with schedules and entrepreneurs’ needs, dedicated to helping new businesses, says Collin Hanson, executive director for The 701. The 701 offers flex passes — 24-hour access for eight days per month at $75 — or a full month with 24-hour access for $200. The policy of no contracts or leases makes it easy for entrepreneurs to come and go as they please. Some tenants have day jobs and prefer to use the space after hours. “The whole idea is you don’t have to max out your credit card or quit your job to follow your dream,” Baumbach says.