Start-Ups: Win 3 Months of Free Rent at WeWork in Brooklyn Heights

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — WeWork is giving away at least three months of free rent to start-ups at its Brooklyn Heights co-working space.

The company's first Brooklyn Entrepreneurship Program will be accepting applications for the rest of August. Start-ups of any size, and of any kind, are encouraged to apply.

Those selected will be able to bring their business to 195 Montague St. for at least three months rent-free, with the possibility of additional free months after, said Sam Robinson, the community manager for WeWork's Brooklyn Heights location.

Beyond that, WeWork may offer a discounted rental fee so Program companies can stay on longer, Robinson said.

Any start-up selected will be notified within a month after it's applied, Robinson said, and will be allowed to move in as quickly as possible.

The coworking space typically charges $550 per month for a shared office desk, or $710 per month for a one-person office.

Robinson said WeWork hasn't capped the number of entrepreneurs the Program will work with. Instead, it's looking for the best entrepreneurs it can find.

Technology start-ups will be eligible for WeWork's Labs program, Robinson said, which "connects growing tech-oriented companies" to "industry professionals" and "demo days."

But non-tech start-ups can benefit from coworking as well, he said, due to WeWork's promotion of "organic networking."

"Spontaneous meetings often turn into business partnership and collaboration," he said.

The Brooklyn Heights coworking space currently hosts about 75 businesses, Robinson said, though that number is growing.

Pictured at top: WeWork's office in Brooklyn Heights. Photo by John V. Santore