Bombay Connect: Power Of The Collective

Work Stations, Bombay Connect

While researching earlier stories for MumbaiMag I chanced upon a collaborative work space in Bandra called Bombay Connect, which was shared by several different organizations, entrepreneurs and individuals. I’d never heard of a collaborative work space of the sort and was curious to find out more. It certainly sounded like something Mumbai needed; a place where a community of like minded people could come together and work.

Snighda Manchanda of Tea Trunk travels all the way from Malad to Mount Mary Road Bandra to work at Bombay Connect! She clearly loves this new-age work space and even urged me to sign up. While scouting around I found that even Apurva Kothari, founder of eco-friendly t-shirt brand No Nasties and Bharat Ahirwar, founder of My Peon, are members of Bombay Connect. Quite clearly it’s a magnet for the rats that are running an alternate sort of race.

Meeting Room, Bombay Connect

Bombay Connect was founded by Pooja Warier and Richard Alderson in 2009, with the objective of bringing people together in a work environment and providing them with an affordable workspace. With so many different people working together, networking opportunities present themselves and collaborations are possible. The team is completed by Guncha Khare, Preeti Dawane and Ricardo Goncalves, each playing a different role in managing the organization.

Their work however does not end at providing members with conference rooms, work desks and unlimited chai. Bombay Connect conducts workshops, talks, film screenings and other event to nurture this community and inspire social change. Almost forty-five different small organizations use this space as of today, and I’m sure they are more productive together than they would have been if each functioned separately in an isolated bubble.

Dabba Chat, Bombay Connect

A small example of what Bombay Connect does for it’s members; once a month they organize a member exclusive lunch called ‘Dabba Chat’. It’s a great way to casually bring members together. They share a meal and also get a chance to share work experiences, challenges faced, new ideas and much more. Remember the fable about how a bundle of sticks that can’t be broken, while a single stick just snaps? There’s a lesson here, about the power of the collective.

So here’s how it works, all you have to do is get in touch with the Bombay Connect team, who will assess your work and help you decide what sort of facilities your work requires. A package will be designed for you (or your organization) depending on how many hours you need to use the space and what facilities you will need to use. Then you can begin to work, grow and connect!

Have a dream that you are chasing in Mumbai? Tell us about it here or write to us at story@mumbaimag.com.

Blogger: Salonee Gadgil

Writer who takes pictures or photographer who writes, depending on the mood. Staunch hedonist with a firm belief that the world would be a better place if everyone made time for a siesta and wore flip-flops. Passionately preoccupied with food. Capoeirista. Lover of cats. Neat freak.

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