Before coworking became a buzzword for startups, freelancers, and hybrid workers, it was just a simple idea, that work could be done together, even when our goals were different.
At Spark Plug, we live by that idea. We’re not just a coworking space in Bangalore; we’re a part of a global story that began decades ago, rooted in the human need to connect, collaborate, and create meaning through work.
This is the story of how the word coworking came to be, and how its spirit continues to shape communities like Spark Plug today.
1999: When Coworking Was a Philosophy, Not a Place
The word coworking was first used in 1999 by Bernard DeKoven, a digital game designer and collaboration expert. But here’s the twist, he wasn’t talking about office layouts or commercial real estate.
For DeKoven, coworking meant something far deeper: working together as equals.
He envisioned a world where people didn’t compete for power, but collaborated to create better ideas and experiences together.
It was less about “where” people worked and more about “how” they worked, with empathy, respect, and shared creativity.
More than two decades later, that same philosophy is embedded into Spark Plug’s DNA.
Every design decision, every community event, every open conversation over coffee reflects the same belief: work is richer when done with others, not apart.
At Spark Plug, collaboration isn’t an afterthought, it’s our foundation. We’ve built an environment where creators, founders, and professionals from diverse fields can work independently yet grow collectively.
Because even as technology evolves, human connection remains the ultimate productivity tool.
2005: When Coworking Found Its First Home
Fast forward to 2005, and the modern coworking movement began to take shape.
A San Francisco-based software engineer named Brad Neuberg was freelancing full-time. He loved the freedom, but he missed the social energy of an office, the casual chats, the sense of belonging, the collective motivation.
So, he rented a small space at a women’s collective called the Spiral Muse and opened it to others like him. His idea was simple yet revolutionary:
“Work together, on your own projects, but in a shared, supportive environment.”
That small experiment became the world’s first coworking space.
Neuberg didn’t just create a workspace, he created a new culture of work.
A culture where autonomy met community, and where people didn’t have to choose between independence and belonging.
At Spark Plug, that same culture lives on. We were founded on the belief that freedom and connection can coexist, that you can work on your own terms while still being part of a thriving professional ecosystem.
Every desk at Spark Plug tells a story: a solo entrepreneur building their dream product, a startup brainstorming their next big feature, a therapist hosting private client sessions.
Each one works independently, yet together, adding to the shared hum of ambition and purpose that defines coworking, and defines Spark Plug.
2007–2010: From an Idea to a Global Movement
By 2007, coworking had begun to spread beyond San Francisco. Entrepreneurs and creative communities across Europe and the US were drawn to its energy, affordable spaces, networking opportunities, and the promise of collaboration.
Soon, Coworking Wiki launched as a global directory, helping people discover or start coworking spaces in their own cities. Conferences and meetups followed, and a global network of coworking advocates emerged.
By 2010, coworking wasn’t a trend, it was a movement.
Coworking represented a mindset shift in the professional world:
- From ownership to access
- From competition to collaboration
- From isolation to community
And that’s where Spark Plug fits in, as part of this new generation of coworking spaces redefining what “work” means in India.
We’re not just offering a place to plug in your laptop; we’re offering a place to plug into purpose.
At Spark Plug, we see coworking not as a real estate model but as a human movement, one that continues to evolve as people rethink how and why they work.
The Indian Chapter: How Coworking Found Its Space Here
Coworking came to India in the early 2010s, when startups were booming and traditional office leases felt limiting for small teams.
Early pioneers like 91Springboard, WeWork, and Innov8 set the tone, offering modern workspaces that emphasized flexibility and collaboration. But what made coworking thrive in India wasn’t just convenience; it was culture.
India has always believed in collective growth, from neighborhood communities to family-run businesses. The coworking model simply gave that philosophy a modern, design-led form.
And that’s exactly where Spark Plug steps in.
We built Spark Plug to be more than a workspace, it’s a community built on Indian values and global vision.
It’s for freelancers who want to connect, startups looking to scale, and professionals who want to escape isolation without losing focus.
At Spark Plug, we’ve created environments that cater to India’s evolving work culture, soundproof cabins for doctors and therapists, private offices for small teams, and open desks for creators who thrive on energy and collaboration.
Every wall, every lounge, every plug point at Spark Plug tells a story of belonging and purpose.
2020s: How the Pandemic Redefined Coworking
The pandemic changed everything.
Traditional offices shut down. Remote work became the norm. But humans, by nature, crave connection, and that’s where coworking came roaring back stronger than ever.
In the post-pandemic era, professionals wanted flexibility without isolation.
They sought spaces that combined comfort, community, and creativity, exactly what Spark Plug was built to deliver.
Today, coworking spaces aren’t just places to work; they’re ecosystems of growth.
They host events, support networking, and even enable cross-business collaborations.
At Spark Plug, we’ve embraced this evolution wholeheartedly.
Our goal is to help professionals reconnect, with their work, with others, and with themselves.
Because the future of work isn’t about offices or cubicles anymore.
It’s about communities that inspire progress.
Coworking Today: From Shared Desks to Shared Purpose
The coworking model has matured.
What began as open, shared desks has now evolved into tailored experiences.
At Spark Plug, we’ve designed our coworking spaces to meet diverse needs, from quiet cabins for focused work to collaborative lounges that encourage spontaneous discussions.
But beyond design, the real power of coworking lies in shared purpose.
When entrepreneurs, creators, and professionals from different industries share a space, something powerful happens, ideas cross-pollinate.
A marketing consultant helps a startup founder with branding.
A therapist shares mindfulness techniques with a tech team.
A content creator collaborates with a designer on a campaign.
This natural exchange of ideas and support is what makes Spark Plug more than just an address, it’s a living, breathing community.
Why Spark Plug Represents the Future of Coworking
The history of coworking proves one thing:
Work has never been about walls or desks, it’s about people, energy, and purpose.
At Spark Plug, we represent that next chapter.
We combine design, comfort, and flexibility with a genuine sense of community.
Our spaces are built to help you do your best work, independently, yet not alone.
Every corner encourages collaboration. Every interaction adds value. Every day, someone new discovers that they’re not just working, they’re co-working.
Our mission is simple:
“Work independently. Grow collectively.”
That’s the same belief that inspired Bernard DeKoven in 1999 and Brad Neuberg in 2005 and it’s the belief we carry forward through every Spark Plug space we build.
From a Word to a Way of Life -The Spark Plug Ethos
The term coworking began as a single word, a quiet idea about collaboration.
Today, it has transformed into a global way of life, reshaping how we connect, create, and thrive together.
At Spark Plug, we’re proud to keep that spirit alive.
We’re not just creating offices; we’re creating opportunities for connection.
We’re not just providing space; we’re building ecosystems of growth.
Because coworking isn’t just about where you work, it’s about how you grow.
And at Spark Plug, that growth starts with community.
Spark Plug: Work independently. Grow collectively.
