Tiny startups pay $9,000 a month to share a workspace

Some startup founders with tiny teams are paying up to $9,000 a month to work in a shared office in Chelsea. Business Insider's writer visited the space, called Series HQ, and found that the money buys less a desk than a crowd. The founders said they want to be around other people who are building companies.

What the space is

Series HQ sits on the top floor of an office building. It was started by Nathaneo Johnson, 22, and Sean Hargrow, who launched an AI social networking app for iMessage called Series in 2024. After graduating from Yale, they raised $5.1 million in early funding and signed a lease for more than 10,000 square feet. The "HQ" part separates the coworking space from the company.

What it costs

In August, workstation pods that hold up to four people cost between $1,250 and $4,000 a month. Founders who want more privacy can rent glass pods for $5,000 to $9,000 a month. The pricier options include meals from a private chef the company hired last year to cut down on takeout costs. Members have 24-hour access when possible.

Who is working there

The space usually hosts 15 to 20 startups. On a Thursday around 3 p.m., about a dozen people from at least five companies were working, mostly young men. Most founders are under 30 or just out of college, and many are in early funding rounds. Most of the companies are in AI or tech. The office also has a basketball hoop and a beat-up robot worth about $21,000.

Why founders say they pay

The teams are small, and AI has helped keep them that way. They do not need much room. Even so, the writer noticed each company wanted more people nearby.

• Evos, an AI startup, rented a glass pod after seeing the space in social media videos.
• Evos met a new hire there, who was another tenant.
• Evos also learned about an AI browser called Aside through the Series team.
• Logan Milano, who runs the drink brand Amryth, spends over 40 hours a week there even though he lives close by.

Milano said all he needs is a laptop, a good place to focus and people who are building. Zain Ahmad of Evos said his team works about 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., around six days a week.

What to keep in mind

This is one space and a small group of founders, and the account comes from a single visit. Johnson said turnover was high early on, partly because some summer tenants were only in town between school terms. Johnson also said he believes starting a company at 35 or 40 is probably too late. He called that a harsh belief. The article does not offer evidence for it.