Value-aligned companies will combine feature sets and add coworking space locations to the Proximity Network
April 8, 2020
Global coworking and flexible workspace network Proximity Space, Inc., announced today it has completed the acquisition of North Carolina-based software company SMPL. The addition of SMPL brings new and enhanced features to the Proximity platform for the thousands of coworking space members who use it to manage memberships, book meeting space, register for events and connect with other members at coworking spaces in the Proximity Network.
Coworking space operators using SMPL software will gain access to an expanded feature set and a digital door control system, and members have the opportunity to connect to a fast-growing network of remote workers, entrepreneurs and freelancers from around the world. Proximity enables a seamless drop-in experience for members at hundreds of locations on the Proximity platform. The continued growth of coworking spaces in the Proximity Network also provides employers with greater access to connected, flexible workspace inventory from hundreds of coworking brands.
“In an industry with a number of software solutions, SMPL stands out as a leader in customer experience,” says Josh Freed, CEO of Proximity. “This is true of their product and customer support, and we’ve been incredibly impressed with every SMPL interaction. Our conversation started with a discussion about features, but it quickly became clear we have a lot of shared values. We’re a match because we’ve built our businesses on community and taking care of our customers.”
Both companies trace their origins to operating coworking spaces and each created the Proximity and SMPL software solutions in response to unmet needs for managing their member communities. SMPL cofounder Garrett Tichy owns and operates five coworking space locations in Charlotte, N.C., under the Hygge Coworking brand. Proximity owns and operates three coworking spaces in Montrose, Grand Junction and Ridgway, Colo.
Hygge will be the first to transition its coworking spaces to the Proximity platform from SMPL software. Last month Hygge temporarily closed its locations because of the COVID-19 outbreak and plans to implement Proximity software and digital door access prior to re-opening to members and the public. Proximity and SMPL are working together to create a smooth transition for customers moving to the Proximity platform. SMPL is committed to supporting its customers throughout this process.
“We’ve worked hard to build a platform that’s meaningful to our customers and has contributed to the growth of our industry,” says Tichy. “SMPL started with a focus on the community that coworking creates and we see the same devotion in the Proximity platform and their team. I believe our companies have been headed in the same direction and joining our visions together is the natural progression of our shared desire to connect the mobile workforce.”
SMPL has developed a number of innovative enhancements that are being incorporated into the Proximity platform, including the ability to delay membership start dates, invite new members with single-click signup and more effectively manage attrition. Hygge’s transition to the Proximity platform, SMPL’s experience with multispace management and Proximity’s recently released support for multispaces help enable the development of features that are most critical to the operation of large coworking and flex workspace brands.
SMPL users can visit proximity.space/smpl to learn more about the Proximity platform and schedule a demo with the Proximity team.
About Proximity
Proximity is connecting the mobile workforce through a growing network of coworking brands. Proximity software helps coworking spaces manage their member communities by providing digital door access, conference room booking, event management, membership billing, guest visit and package delivery notification and controlled internet access—all through a single platform. The Proximity School of Coworking provides space owners and community managers with the training and resources they need to run a successful coworking space. Proximity was founded in 2015 and is based in western Colorado.
