Coworking Solution for Every Enterprise
Over the last eight years, Kickstart’s coworking spaces have evolved significantly. Our diverse client base, ranging from freelancers and startups to service export firms, call centres, and established multinational corporations, has presented us with various workspace needs. We have actively tailored these spaces to meet each client’s specific requirements, adjusting the number of desks, configuring executive rooms, adding special accessories, customising furniture layouts, integrating branding elements, and providing extra storage. In this case study, we aim to spotlight a particularly unique member of our coworking community whose specialised requirements showcase our coworking spaces’ adaptability and broad applicability.
The STEM Lab: Conception and Journey
The inception of STEM Lab is rooted in a shared experience between the founders who, reflecting on their educational journey, recognised a major gap in foundational education in Pakistan. This realisation sparked an idea: why not introduce STEM subjects to children at a younger age in a more engaging and practical way?
Established in 2016, STEM Lab was created with the mission to ignite a passion for STEM subjects among young learners. The founders started by organising after-school clubs across major schools in Lahore, focusing on hands-on, experiential learning. Making circuits, building robots, and conducting safe Laboratory experiments allowed children to connect theoretical knowledge with practical application, making learning fun and impactful.
This approach was met with enthusiasm from both students and parents, affirming the founders’ belief in the effectiveness of early STEM education. Witnessing the positive response and growing demand, STEM Lab realised the need to expand their operations to reach more children. The year 2023 marked a significant milestone in their journey as they decided to establish their own space, moving beyond school clubs to a dedicated facility where they could scale their impact.
The STEM Lab co-founders in their office at Kickstart MM Alam
STEM Lab’s Search for a Workspace
In their search for the ideal location, STEM Lab had a set of unique requirements that differed from those of a typical business. Their primary concern was ensuring the safety and security of the children attending their classes, making it important to find a space where parents could feel at ease when leaving their children.
Moreover, STEM Lab was looking for a space beyond the conventional office layout. They wanted a place that could be transformed into a vibrant, engaging, and creative learning environment. This meant finding a location that was not only welcoming and warm but also flexible enough to allow for significant customisation. All these considerations had to be met within the constraints of a budget typical for a growing business
Colourful and vibrant office of The STEM Lab at Kickstart MM Alam
Kickstart’s Custom Solutions for STEM Lab’s Educational Goals
Upon visiting Kickstart’s M.M Alam, STEM Lab recognised that the location matched their unique requirements. Recognising the value and societal benefit of Stem Lab’s mission, we engaged in thoughtful discussions with the team. In light of Stem Lab’s commendable objectives, we saw an opportunity to contribute to their journey. We decided to customise our space for STEM Lab, understanding their specific needs diverged from conventional office requirements,
The standard office setup was restructured to suit their unique operational needs; we halved the number of desks in the office and added ample storage space, accommodating the materials and equipment necessary for their hands-on teaching approach. Moreover, STEM Lab had the freedom to personalise its office space. They introduced various child-friendly design elements, transforming the area into an inviting and stimulating environment for learning. This customisation not only served STEM Lab’s specific functional needs but also added to the vibrant and diverse atmosphere of Kickstart.
The STEM Labs students engaged in a science experiment during their weekend classes at Kickstart MM Alam
The Ongoing Coworking Connection
Our relationship with STEM Lab has flourished into a strong, ongoing partnership rooted in mutual respect and shared value. Mehek Rashad, the Co-founder of STEM Lab, shares her experience at Kickstart, stating:
“The highlight for me is that everything is sorted – maintenance and utilities are taken care of, allowing us to come in and focus on our work. The environment here makes us want to come to work every day. The smiles and the warm welcome at the reception always set a positive tone for my day.”
Mehek Rashid, Co-founder of The STEM Lab
A particularly cherished aspect of our relationship is the provision of daycare facilities, which has been appreciated by working parents like the team members at STEM Lab. Knowing their children are close by, in a safe and nurturing environment, allows them to work with greater ease and focus. Ayesha Inam, the co-founder of STEM Lab, articulates this sentiment:
“Having daycare on-site is a huge benefit. It means I can work in a supportive environment while knowing my baby is safe and well-cared for right here.”
Ayesha Inam, Co-founder of The STEM Lab, holding a prop from their experimental STEM classes.
Now STEM Lab plans to further expand its operations after receiving a lot of interest from parents in Islamabad and Karachi, Kickstart is located in both of these major cities, which can facilitate such expansion with ease. They’re also planning to make their space in Lahore ten times bigger, creating a special area for their classes called a ‘maker’s space’. This space is not just for younger kids anymore; they’re starting to include high school and college students as well.
Custom Solutions for Unique Businesses
Kickstart’s journey with STEM Lab showcases how coworking can cater to the needs of diverse businesses through customisation. Kickstart’s coworking spaces are versatile environments that support innovative ventures beyond traditional office setups. This partnership highlights the essence of coworking at Kickstart: creating customised solutions that empower our members to succeed and grow.
