Microsoft Flux is a combination of a coworking space and a startup incubator. Its goal is to promote new ways of working and to help people create and utilize new technology.
Photo: Microsoft Flux
Microsoft Flux is a combination of a coworking space and a startup incubator. Its goal is to promote new ways of working and to help people create and utilize new technology.
Microsoft Flux opened in April 2016 in downtown Helsinki. Its doors are open to anyone from casual travelers to fledgling startups and employees of large companies. And yes, even Apple users.
“Flux is an activity-based facility. We have stocked it with the latest technology, like 3D printers, laser cutters and other tools needed to build hardware, and all of it can be used free of charge. This is not so much business as a way to push forward technology development and find new ways to use technology,” says Senior Technical Evangelist Denis Cepun from Microsoft. He is one of the creators of Flux.
Summer cottage atmosphere and quick meetings in the Yellow room
Flux’s premises include shared working space, quiet rooms, team rooms, meeting rooms, a community kitchen, as well as three more traditional working rooms, all open to anyone.
Denis Cepun and his Flux co-creator Drazen Dolik have spread 60 surprise elements and illusions in the room to inspire visitors. One of the rooms showcases Finnish industry, while another looks like a traditional Finnish Summer cottage. One meeting room is yellow – to keep meetings short and efficient.
“Everything at Flux is free of charge, and we don’t expect visitors to commit to Microsoft technology, although we do offer help with it upon request. On an average day, we have a row of Apple laptop users sitting on our windowsills,” Cepun says.
The Yellow room at Microsoft Flux can be booked for only 30 minutes at a time. Photo: Microsoft Flux
A nest for startups
Microsoft has long collaborated with and supported startup companies for example by letting them use its cloud services and tools for free. Flux was launched partly as an answer to wishes arising from the startup community.
“Many startups have hoped for a place where they can meet other companies and people, exchange ideas, work together, share information and learn,” says Cepun.
In-house startups set their own goals for their Flux residency period, and the Flux staff monitors and supports them. Flux’s two permanent staff members specialize in technology and startup development, offering their expertise to startups as well as occasional visitors. Flux is not meant to be a long-term permanent working space but a place where startups can stay for a while to develop their business.
“Once our in-house startups get wind beneath their wings, we can direct them to long-term coworking spaces, like Mothership of Work, which is just around the corner from us.”
Microsoft also strives to create matches between its existing corporate customers and Flux startups. This boosts the startups’ credibility, giving them a chance to offer Microsoft’s corporate customers something entirely new. Sounds like a win-win situation.
Find here the coworking space in Helsinki that’s most suitable for you.
Text: Anu Jussila
Microsoft Flux opened in April 2016 in downtown Helsinki. Its doors are open to anyone from casual travelers to fledgling startups and employees of large companies. And yes, even Apple users.
“Flux is an activity-based facility. We have stocked it with the latest technology, like 3D printers, laser cutters and other tools needed to build hardware, and all of it can be used free of charge. This is not so much business as a way to push forward technology development and find new ways to use technology,” says Senior Technical Evangelist Denis Cepun from Microsoft. He is one of the creators of Flux.
Summer cottage atmosphere and quick meetings in the Yellow room
Flux’s premises include shared working space, quiet rooms, team rooms, meeting rooms, a community kitchen, as well as three more traditional working rooms, all open to anyone.
Denis Cepun and his Flux co-creator Drazen Dolik have spread 60 surprise elements and illusions in the room to inspire visitors. One of the rooms showcases Finnish industry, while another looks like a traditional Finnish Summer cottage. One meeting room is yellow – to keep meetings short and efficient.
“Everything at Flux is free of charge, and we don’t expect visitors to commit to Microsoft technology, although we do offer help with it upon request. On an average day, we have a row of Apple laptop users sitting on our windowsills,” Cepun says.
The Yellow room at Microsoft Flux can be booked for only 30 minutes at a time. Photo: Microsoft Flux
A nest for startups
Microsoft has long collaborated with and supported startup companies for example by letting them use its cloud services and tools for free. Flux was launched partly as an answer to wishes arising from the startup community.
“Many startups have hoped for a place where they can meet other companies and people, exchange ideas, work together, share information and learn,” says Cepun.
In-house startups set their own goals for their Flux residency period, and the Flux staff monitors and supports them. Flux’s two permanent staff members specialize in technology and startup development, offering their expertise to startups as well as occasional visitors. Flux is not meant to be a long-term permanent working space but a place where startups can stay for a while to develop their business.
“Once our in-house startups get wind beneath their wings, we can direct them to long-term coworking spaces, like Mothership of Work, which is just around the corner from us.”
Microsoft also strives to create matches between its existing corporate customers and Flux startups. This boosts the startups’ credibility, giving them a chance to offer Microsoft’s corporate customers something entirely new. Sounds like a win-win situation.
