“Talking about web3 and crypto is not always easy. The image people have of it is rather negative”

They decide to create this link through the theme of web3. “This was important because the web3 sector is very decentralized. Many companies work with freelancers who are all over the world. At some point they need a home base. Within coworking, they have the opportunity to meet other people who work in the same sector.“

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Julien Coppola and Edouard Estour then launched the Cryptosquare community (around 2,000 people) in June 2021 and suggested to Axel Kuborn, one of the founders of Silversquare, to create a hub in a single coworking space in order to bring together players in the sector. In November 2023, they moved to Bailli. Around twenty people representing 12 companies have their desk in the space. “Being in a single place is essential because talking about web3 and crypto is not always easy. The image that people have of it is rather negative. When companies in this sector come together, they no longer need to defend themselves or try to convince. We are passionate people”, notes Julien Coppola. Being together also creates emulation, collaboration and co-optation. “Most communities are digital. Here we find ourselves in real life. This is how projects are done, how collaboration is effective. More than when you’re behind a screen”adds Edouard Estour.

Regular meetings

The two founders of Cryptosquare try to enliven the community with regular meetings. Around business or relaxation. In July, they participated in the Ethereum Community Conference (EthCC), the largest European conference on the theme of web 3.0 which was held this year in Brussels and not in Paris because of the Olympic Games. “We organized satellite events for participating companies alongside the main conference. In particular, we have made spaces available at Silversquare“, explains Edouard Estour. They are also currently working on the project of a padel tournament which will be held during the six largest web3 world events (Singapore, Dubai, Denver, etc.). “Rather than organizing a conference or an evening, we will offer participants the opportunity to meet around a sporting event. This allows you to network in a different and healthier way.” advances Julien Coppola.

Bringing businesses together

“Our mission is to bring together companies, create an ecosystem in which exchange, collaboration and innovation are stimulated, explains Axel Kuborn. The principle of community has always been one of the anchor points of coworking. We seek to associate thematic communities internally or externally. We also try to create bridges with other communities. And, today, we want to promote these thematic communities even more because they partly constitute the future of our profession.“These themes can be, for example, mobility, associations, climate, web 3.0, as is the case with Cryptosquare.

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“When Julien Coppola and Edouard Estour came to me at the start of their project to ask me if they could occupy a room to get together, I immediately said: ‘Yes, of course’. Since then, we have created a hub for this community”recalls Axel Kuborn.

Launched in 2008, Silversquare has 12 spaces in Belgium and Luxembourg – Brussels (7 addresses), Zaventem, Louvain-la-Neuve, Antwerp, Liège and Luxembourg-city -, 5,200 members and 2,500 companies. Located near stations, these spaces offer shared offices, fixed offices, day passes… for self-employed people, small businesses but also larger ones who can thus offer their employees workspaces closer to home. “We were pioneers. The word coworking only appeared in 2010emphasizes Alex Kuborn. If our desire is to unite and lead communities of entrepreneurs and encourage their growth, we do not however wish to be at the center of their approach because we do not have expertise in these matters.”