Next Iowa City 'Jelly' set for Thursday

IOWA CITY --The Iowa City Area Development Group, in partnership with COWRK Iowa City and iQuest, is hosting its next "Jelly" from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the former Budcat office,  332 S. Linn St.

Mark Nolte (left), business development director for the Iowa City Area Development Group, talks with Kim Laczyski (center) of Iowa City and John Casko (right) of Iowa City during a "Jelly" collaboration and networking event in March at the Iowa City Public Library. The next Iowa City Jelly is planned for 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the former Budcat office, 332 Linn St. in Iowa City. George C. Ford/SourceMedia Group

Jellys are casual drop-in cowork sessions that combine creativity and productivity. Participants can focus on their own projects, see what others are working on, and make new connections.  There is no fee and no agenda.

Coffee, wireless Internet and electrical outlets are provided without charge.

Mark Nolte, ICAD Group business development director, said Thursday's Jelly location will be the first time the event has been held in unoccupied office space.

"Many of the coworking locations we've toured have a similar vibe where space has been repurposed

and the focus is on collaboration and innovation," Nolte said.

Past Jellys in Iowa City have been held in libraries and conference rooms, and at a few at University of Iowa locations.

Anyone who can work away from an office is welcome at the Jelly for fresh ideas and for a change of pace. Past participants have included entrepreneurs, freelancers,

designers, developers, writers, and those working online.

"Our ultimate goal is to create and link coworking facilities in the region," Nolte said. "Jellys allow people to experience and engage in coworking and

provide us feedback."

Jellys started in New York City in February 2006 when two roommates, who missed the camaraderie of a traditional office, invited others to share their apartment as a workspace. The aim was to create a creative environment that provided brainstorming, idea sharing, and conversations.

Since then, Jellys have been held throughout the United States and all over the world.