Creating a coworking environment is not just about providing desks and meeting rooms - it's about building a community where people thrive and develop together. SQUARE, located in Marievik, has quickly become an obvious gathering place for entrepreneurs, freelancers and companies looking for an inspiring workplace. Although SQUARE has only been operating for six months, they have already made a big impression in the coworking world, which is now recognized by a nomination in the category Local Coworking of the Year in the Coworking Awards 2024.
We caught up with Marielle Fiedler, CEO and co-founder, to talk about the journey with SQUARE, what makes their coworking concept unique and what their future plans are.
Hi Marielle! Congratulations on your nomination! How does it feel to be one of the finalists?
- Thank you very much! It feels really great and is a great honor for us. We've only been in business since June 2024, so to be nominated is fantastic. We are really happy that our work has been recognized.
Why do you think you have been nominated?
- Even though we've only been open for six months, we've seen steady growth with new members joining almost every week. What many people emphasize is the mood and atmosphere we have here. It feels like a big family where everyone knows everyone - a really lovely and welcoming vibe.
You took over the facility in June. Tell us, what was the idea behind starting SQUARE?
- Me and Thom, my co-founder, worked together at The Park group. When The Park went bankrupt, we saw an opportunity to take over the office in Marievik, which we knew had great potential. We loved the friendly atmosphere and the local feel of both the office and the area. AMF Fastigheter, which owns the building, encourages innovation and wanted to create a great area for both work and living. For us, it was an obvious choice to open our first SQUARE office right here. We want to create an extraordinary work experience - a place where people love to come to work. The place to be!
How would you describe SQUARE? What do you stand for?
- We are a coworking space where everyone - from freelancers to large companies - can find their place and their community. Our goal is to create an inspiring work environment and be a place where members can both work and organize events. Our keywords are:
- Community spirit - we build strong relationships.
- Bold ideas - we call them 'purple cows' - ideas that stand out.
- Sustainability - we only have one planet, so we think long-term.
- Trust and transparency - we share what, why and how.
Do you have plans to open more sites?
- Yes, we are definitely keeping our eyes open for the next location for SQUARE. We are very passionate about what we do and want to keep growing.
What has happened at SQUARE in the past year?
- Since we took over in June, membership has doubled, which is great! There has been a lot of demand for private smaller offices, and they have been sold out. We have even created a waiting list for these rooms. We are listening to our members and are currently carrying out a small renovation to increase the number of office rooms and optimize the space. In addition, we have had lots of weekly events - FitStep on Tuesdays, meditation on Wednesdays and improv on Fridays. These are fantastic initiatives from our members and really show what a strong community we have.
What can we expect at SQUARE in 2025?
- First of all, we will complete our mini-renovation and make SQUARE even more beautiful and functional. We also have lots of exciting events planned - after works, pitch lunches, dance classes, yoga, improv, and Founders Live that brings startups and investors together once a month. It's going to be an eventful year and we're really looking forward to it!
Finally, how do you think the year of coworking 2025 will evolve?
- I think we will see continued pressure and increased demand. Many companies and individuals want to return to the office after working from home for a long time. It's about finding a good balance between working at home and in the office. We also see that more people will seek flexible and inspiring workplaces, like the ones we offer at SQUARE.