EqualSpace Secures $625,000 Grant from City of Newark for ES550, Their New Tech and Innovation Campus

In a monumental move towards fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in Newark, Equal Space has proudly announced the acquisition of a $625,000 grant from the City of Newark and Invest Newark through the Newark Retail Reactivation Grant. This substantial grant marks a significant stride forward for Equal Space as it establishes a cutting-edge tech and innovation campus at 550 Broad Street, Newark.

This grant, administered through the Newark Retail Reactivation Initiative, is a testament to the city’s commitment to nurturing business growth and revitalizing downtown Newark. Mayor Ras J. Baraka, alongside Invest Newark, the city’s leading economic development corporation, unveiled this initiative to empower businesses and not-for-profit organizations to expand their presence in Newark’s downtown core. The initiative seeks to enhance downtown’s retail, cultural, and culinary landscape while simultaneously enhancing safety, aesthetics, and overall quality of life for Newark residents, workers, and students.

Equal Space’s utilization of this grant will materialize in creating ES550, a dynamic 50,000-square-foot tech and innovation campus. Located at 550 Broad Street, this state-of-the-art facility will encompass three floors of office spaces, multimedia studios, podcast studios, a 300-person event space, and headquarters tailored for more prominent startups. With a focus on inclusivity and community-building, Equal Space aims to cater to solopreneurs and teams of up to 24 individuals, providing a nurturing environment for businesses at every stage of their growth journey.

“Our vision for the tech and innovation campus is to cultivate positive and inclusive spaces where tech enthusiasts and innovators can thrive and make lasting contributions to Newark,” says Medina, CEO and Co-founder of Equal Space. “We are committed to ensuring that businesses not only come to Newark but also choose to stay and grow within the city. Newark has the potential to nurture startups from their inception to becoming established businesses, and we want to be instrumental in facilitating that journey.”

Citi Medina, EqualSpace Co-founder
at ES550
Citi Medina and Ralphie Roman,
Co-founders of EqualSpace with
Jonathan Collins, Operations Manager
Hallway of 4th floor of ES550

Beyond fostering business growth, the tech and innovation campus is poised to generate new job opportunities and serve as a catalyst for economic development in Newark. The vision outlined by Mayor Ras J. Baraka underscores the significance of initiatives like the Newark Retail Reactivation Initiative in propelling downtown Newark toward becoming a vibrant, 24/7 hub for innovation, commerce, and community engagement.

Mayor Baraka expressed his enthusiasm for the Newark Retail Reactivation Initiative, emphasizing its potential to invigorate downtown Newark and attract diverse entrepreneurs and small retail businesses. “This program will make downtown even more attractive as a destination—a place for residents and visitors to enjoy,” Mayor Baraka remarked. “It is an important step in our strategy to make downtown a 24/7, exciting, walkable area where people can live, work, and play.”

As Equal Space embarks on this transformative journey, fueled by the support of the City of Newark and Invest Newark, the stage is set for a new era of innovation and growth in Newark’s downtown landscape. Through initiatives like the Newark Retail Reactivation Initiative, Newark is poised to emerge as a beacon of opportunity and progress, offering a fertile ground for businesses to flourish and communities to thrive.

Empowering Innovation: Equal Space Secures $2 Million Grant for Cutting-Edge Workspace Development!

Equal Space is thrilled to announce that we have been selected as one of the recipients of the NJEDA GrantBoard’s prestigious grant, totaling $25.1 million, dedicated to Real Estate Rehabilitation and Development. This grant falls under the Activation, Revitalization, and Transformation (A.R.T.) Program, and it is with great humility and honor that we accept this recognition.

The grant allocates $2 million to Equal Space, which will be instrumental in the renovation of multiple floors at our new 550 Broad Street location. This funding marks a significant milestone in our journey as we continue to redefine the possibilities of workspace environments.

Equal Space is more than just a coworking space; it’s a mission-driven organization committed to fostering innovation, collaboration, and growth. Our goal is to provide entrepreneurs, startups, and businesses with a dynamic ecosystem where they can thrive. With cutting-edge coworking spaces, state-of-the-art amenities, and a vibrant community, Equal Space offers an unparalleled experience for professionals seeking to elevate their professional journey.

At Equal Space, we take pride in our dedication to creating an equitable space that contributes to the innovation ecosystem of Newark. Our new tech and innovation campus, ES550, spans an impressive 50,000 square feet, offering suites, offices, and multi-room headquarters suitable for startups of all scales and across all verticals. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or a growing team, our facilities can accommodate your needs.

The amenities at ES550 are designed to support the diverse needs of our community. From a 300-person event space to podcast and media studios, green rooms, and more, our campus provides the infrastructure necessary for success. We believe that providing access to these resources is essential for empowering entrepreneurs and driving economic growth in our community.

As we embark on this next phase of development, we invite you to join us at Equal Space and discover a workspace that not only meets but exceeds your expectations. Whether you’re looking for a place to launch your startup, expand your business, or connect with like-minded professionals, Equal Space is here to support you every step of the way.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the NJEDA Grant Board for their support and investment in our vision. With this grant, we are confident that Equal Space will continue to serve as a catalyst for innovation and entrepreneurship in Newark and beyond. Join us as we shape the future of work and redefine what’s possible in the modern workspace.

Near a Decade of Innovation, Dedication, and Community: The =SPACE Journey

=SPACE FOUNDER STORY


In the heart of our journey at @EqualSpaceCo lies a celebration—a jubilation of innovation, dedication, and a spirit deeply entrenched in community values. As we stand at the threshold of a new chapter, our Co-founder @Medina invites you to join us in revisiting the inspiring narrative that encapsulates our evolution. This is more than a blog; it’s a chronicle of dreams turning into reality, a testimony to the transformative power of hard work, and a commitment to prioritizing community needs.

The Governor’s Excellence in Housing and Economic Development Award:
The pinnacle of our recent achievements is the honor bestowed upon us—the Governor’s Excellence in Housing and Economic Development Award. This recognition is not merely a feather in our cap; it is a profound affirmation of our team’s unwavering dedication to placing the community at the forefront of our mission. It speaks to the resilience born out of hard work, the transformative potential of dreams, and our steadfast commitment to uplifting the very community we serve.

=SPACE: A Sanctuary for Innovation:
For over 8 years, =SPACE has been more than just a physical space—it’s a sanctuary. A safe haven meticulously crafted for entrepreneurs, creatives, techies, and innovators to thrive. Unlike traditional coworking spaces, =SPACE is not about filling seats; it’s about fostering success and creating an environment where each individual feels seen, heard, and empowered.

A ‘Sharespace,’ Not Just a Workspace:
What sets =SPACE apart is our ethos of being a ‘sharespace.’ It goes beyond the conventional concept of a coworking space, embodying a community where success is celebrated collectively, and challenges are faced together. In a world where ‘no’ is often the prevailing response, =SPACE stands as a resounding ‘yes,’ ensuring that no one has to navigate their journey alone.

Uplifting Through Struggles:
Our commitment extends beyond the celebration of success—it involves uplifting those navigating through challenges. =SPACE stands by the side of brilliant minds, offering support and encouragement as they carve paths in industries less explored. It’s a testament to our belief that true success lies in collective growth and shared experiences.

A Heartfelt Thank You:
As we reflect on this incredible milestone, we extend our deepest gratitude to Governor Leslie Anderson and NJRA for their unwavering support. Their belief in our vision propels us forward, and we are eager to continue making a positive impact on the community we cherish.

This blog post is not just a reflection; it’s an invitation to join us in celebrating a decade of innovation, dedication, and community building. As we navigate through this journey, we invite you to be inspired and consider how you, too, can make a positive impact on your own path. Thank you for being a part of our story! 🚀 #EqualSpaceCo #CommunityFirst #InnovationJourney

3 Ways To Support Our Community Members

Our community members are lively, determined, and brilliant. It is a true honor to be the first choice of so many individuals and seeing them succeed pushes our entire team to work harder. The most valuable thing about our community members is their sportsmanship. When a new person joins our space, they are welcomed into a family. We have seen great collaborations between our Space(r)s and the projects that they develop are outstanding. Our community is rich not only in cultural diversity, but also in industry diversity. We have freelance photographers, fitness trainers, lawyers, tech writers, content developers, real-estate specialists, social media influencers, coders, and more – these are the people who make =SPACE what it is. They believe in our mission. We provide them with as many resources as we can and they give us back support tenfold. Seeing their greatness gives the =SACE team hope for the future – they [SPACE(r)s]  are building it, and it looks grand.  

We support our community in three major ways:

  1. Start-up Funding Opportunities: Our business has spent the past 7 years making connections with organizations and ventures [NJIT, NJEDA, and LISC, to name a few], so you don’t have to. We collaborate with incubators [like Digital Undivided] all around the U.S. who offer nation wide funding and pitching opportunities to small business owners and startup founders. Having priority status with many of these organizations allow us to gain primary access to this information.
  2. Educational Programming: We collaborate with various collegiate institutions and government agencies [NJII Venture Link, Verizon, to name a few] to offer various  accredited free and sponsored educational programs; teaching entrepreneurs key skills in business development, financial wellness, and investment pitching.
  3. Business Mentorship: =SPACE’s team are experienced in different areas of business from pitching and grant writing, to operations and customer acquisition. We also partner with professionals who have 5+ years of business leadership open to answering your burning questions. You can schedule 30-minute free sessions with our team and receive discounted rates for meeting with professionals credited business mentors.

Click here to take a tour and grab a free day pass!

 

 

TAKE YOUR SPACE

=SPACE’s mission is to serve entrepreneurs, founders and small businesses largely led by people of color, women and members of the LGBTQ+ community across industries and scale. Our start-ups tend to be tech and creative focused, however we welcome start-ups at all stages and all industries. From pre-seed start-ups to multi-billion corporations, our members represent the spectrum; what they all have in common is a commitment to working in space where they are not only welcomed, but believed in. We support our members’ growth and work to make sure they have all of the tools they need to succeed, in three ways:

Affordability:

We base our pricing on developing sustainable spaces, for budding solo entrepreneurs and startups — to HQs for social impact corporations with teams of 5 and more.

Versatile Space:

We offer various types of space for different entrepreneurs. From office suites and desk space for our members, to multimedia and podcast studios for our creatives.

Community Programming:

We curate 65% of the year with enriching events that cover business development, financial literacy, branding and marketing to art shows, mini concerts, market fairs, and more!

#TAKEYOURSPACE

THE BENEFITS OF BECOMING A SPACE(r)

We are NOT a COWORKING business. We are a SHARESPACE. The difference is clear: coworking is transactional, you receive a desk, you make a payment, your success is based on proximity and your work ethic. If the playing field were level this would be enough to jumpstart you to success. In an ideal world this would be the dream.

I think as we all work and put sweat, blood and tears into our dreams we can attest that the world is not fair. Inequality and Obstruction exist in the game of business, the game is rigged, so community is what offset the odds, communities of men, women and immigrating cultures banded together to offer support, comfort and guidance. That guidance, that community is how we define our sharespace, =SPACE is built by men and women and they, by people of color and immigrant voices. Once your business or startup enters our SPACE we sit in communion to learn about your vision, we build access and resources around you to even the odds. The benefits are in having an environment that says, yes in a world that sometimes seems to shout, no.

Don’t just take our word for it, the proof is in the sauce.

Programming to Create Impact

Last year we hosted over 25 events, with over 1.8K attendees, during a tough time for so many small businesses we were able to create free programming that empowered, educated and provided access to much needed support. Our proof is in our actions.

Amenities Offered at ES

Our space is 19,000 sq ft over three floors and we built every space to suit the needs of our members, many of the startups we have deal in media and data, and so our space has Newark Fiber, the fastest internet speeds on the east coast. With many of our entrepreneurs being content creators we created photography, video and podcast studios to meet their needs.

Access & Resources

Leading partners and community members help to create a more equitable landscape for our entrepreneurs and innovators to plant their seeds. In Newark, we have forged strong partnerships with anchor organizations, accelerators to incubators, and state institutions dedicated to creating impact. The team at ES is aware that we have to create a network of support to allow for our startups to gain the momentum they deserve.

We want to share in your dreams of success, #TAKEYOURSPACE with us.


Join Us For Small Business Week

Join us for Newark Small Business Week! =SPACE and Invest Newark have partnered to present Small Business Week; a series dedicated to bringing equitable resources to our booming city of Newark, leading them to success and continued growth.

 

This is a 5 day experience for new and seasoned entrepreneurs, full of workshops, courses, and other events to help you build your business. Small Business Week is the ultimate experience for entrepreneurs of all types and stages.

 

We will be hosting expos, panel discussions, networking nights, financial literacy classes and more!

 

 CLICK HERE TO RSVP TODAY

 

Movie Night at the Riverfront Park: Moonlight – Hosted By Citi Medina

JOIN US FOR A MOVIE IN THE PARK – Thursday, July 29, 8pm

We are excited to present Moonlight, a powerful, coming-of-age story during Newark Pride Month, in collaboration with the Newark Museum of Art. Our founder, Citi Medina, will be opening the night with an introduction to the movie and welcoming attendees to this experience.

This event is FREE and no registration is required.

Event starts at 8pm, movie starts at 8:30pm.

RIVERSIDE FRONT PARK: 730 Raymond Boulevard, Newark, NJ (Riverside)

Moonlight (2016)

Directed by Barry Jenkins. (111 min). Rated R.

A young African American man grapples with his identity and sexuality while experiencing the everyday struggles of childhood, adolescence, and burgeoning adulthood.

The film will be screened in English with Spanish subtitles.

For Directions:

2020 End Of Year Report

=SPACE Sharespace & Incubator presents our 2020 EOY Report. This report showcases the hard work our team put into making this a successful year. We care about the well-being of our community members; and about the future of entrepreneurship, generational wealth, and true excellence. We are the future and will continue to fight for our mission to provide equal space, opportunity, and resources.

Download Full Report Here

Read Full Report Here

CHECK OUT OUR 2020 END OF YEAR SIZZLE REEL TOO!