News
New €350 monthly freelancer tax “will kill innovation in Germany”
The German government’s plan to force freelancers to pay a compulsory retirement 'contribution' will kill off entrepreneurship and destroy millions of independent careers. That’s the opinion of Tim Wessels, an IT specialist from Hamburg who has launched a petition against the so-called “Rewarding Life’s Work” law. Freelancers will be forced to pay €350+ a month to support the broken pension system, on top of the €300-€600 they must already pay for health insurance (plus other taxes). Demanding that entrepreneurs fork out at least €650 a month in contributions before they earn a single cent will end innovation in Germany.
Coworking Spaces
Coworking began at Regus... but not the way they think
Last year the business center chain Regus drew ridicule for claiming they had invented coworking. It turns out coworking did emerge from a Regus office - but not in the way they would like to believe. Brad Neuberg - the man who first attached the term "coworking" to a shared collaborative workspace - told Deskmag he came up with the idea while working for a start-up in a Regus center. "It was utterly non-social," he said. Coworking grew out of that negative reaction.
News
Freelancers to pay more in Germany
In Germany, from July 1st 2013, many self-empolyed workers risk enduring significant financial burdens that threaten their professional existence, especially for those who have inconsistent or precarious sources of income. The creative economy is likely to shrink as a result. Here is a petition to the German parliament urging them to review this bill.
Tools & Tips
How does it feel to start coworking?
Many coworking members join their spaces in Spring, marking the first season of many for most of the freelancers and entrepreneurs who make the switch. But what does that first week feel like? We met Lasse, a Danish expat living in San Francisco who was a newbie to the world of coworking... until he joined his space. Here, Lasse shares his experience of his first week, and offers tips for those who are not yet familiar with the concept.
Coworkers
Why Startups are good for the economy
There is widespread consensus that a bad economy is a good financial climate for a startup. Indeed, in light of the startup boom which some are dubbing the ‘startup economy’, this may well prove true. As this trend continues to grow, however, the startup economy is emerging in its own right, now possessing its own market force and instigating a string of positive effects on the economy at large.
Events
Coworking Spain Conference: supporting the national community
Spain is emerging as one of the world leaders of the coworking movement, with a large number of dedicated spaces per capita and a national visa program in operation. In a further step to push the movement further, this May the first Coworking Spain Conference: "Hasta la Neuva Co Cultura", will take place in Madrid; one of the only national coworking events to ever be held.
City Profiles
Coworking in Portland
America’s famously independent city has a strong sense of community and lots of great public areas to gather and interact. Which might be why there are less official coworking spaces than might be expected. Portland has also experienced a few failed coworking experiments. But things are picking up.
