A new coworking space called Ironfire is under construction in Long Beach and is seeking the support of the community to help with some of the startup costs.

To be located near the Long Beach Airport and Long Beach City College, Ironfire will be a space where freelancers, entrepreneurs, small business owners and more can work, as well as host meetings and events at “a fraction of what big-box competitor WeWork charges in downtown Long Beach,” according to the announcement.

Readying to provide individuals with a space outside of the often isolating home office, Ironfire will officer high-speed WiFi, unlimited, locally sourced coffee, events and other amenities.

After working from home for more than a decade, Ironfire starter, Long Beach resident and entrepreneur Josh Rencher realized that his home office space had become a place of isolation and distraction.

“I’d haul my laptop to Starbucks now and then, but public spaces are noisy and crowded, and they’re not designed for work or productivity,” Rencher stated. “With more and more people working remotely and independently, I knew I wasn’t alone, and I knew there had to be a better way.”

Image courtesy of Ironfire.

Noting Intuit’s estimate that 40 percent of the US workforce will be independent workers by 2020, flexible workspaces will be in even higher demand than they are now, according to the release. Jumping on the increasing numbers of coworking Americans, Ironfire will be a convenient place to work and will aim to provide its members with a sense of belonging and community.

“Two years ago, there was only one coworking space in Long Beach and no others within a 15-mile radius,” stated Rencher, referring to Work Evolution Laboratories.

Rencher added that, according to US Census data, 65,000 Long Beach residents claim at least part-time self-employment, while as many as 25,000 work from home. The demand for flexible work space is real.

“We have an emerging ecosystem of startups and entrepreneurs right here in Long Beach,” Rencher said in a statement. “There’s no reason they shouldn’t have access to the same benefits and resources that coworking offers in other cities.”

Rencher has launched Kickstarter campaign for the new space. In exchange for pledges, rewards offered include discounted memberships and daypasses, Ironfire swag, sponsorship opportunities and naming rights for Ironfire’s event stage and conference rooms.

“It’s about the people who will use our space to make connections, to find a built-in support network for their ventures, to learn and grow together, and ultimately to work happier, healthier, and more productively,” Rancher stated.

Learn more about the Kickstarter campaign and Ironfire here.

Ironfire will be located at 4195 North Viking Way.