116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
The Vault marks its 13th year as coworking space in Cedar Rapids
NewBoCo community provides energy, collaboration
The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
CEDAR RAPIDS — The Vault, a coworking and collaboration space on the second floor of the Geonetric Building in the NewBo District, is marking its 13th year as a supporter and inspirer of entrepreneurs.
The Vault was founded in 2011 by Andy Stoll, Amanda West and Theresa Bornbach and opened in the Guaranty Bank Building at Third Street and Third Avenue SE.
“I think it was the third or fourth coworking space in Iowa,” Stoll said. “Until then, there were few purpose-built spaces to bring together the growing community of entrepreneurs, creatives and innovators in the region.”
In August 2014, the Vault moved to the Geonetric Building, 415 12th Ave. SE, becoming part of NewBoCo’s mission of fostering innovation, entrepreneurship and collaboration.
Vault’s role
Jill Wilkins, executive director of NewBoCo, said the Vault “is an important piece of our NewBoCo ecosystem because it very purely represents the collaboration piece of our name.”
“It creates a space for entrepreneurs, small business owners and remote workers to run their businesses without having to invest in office spaces that don’t meet their needs,” she said. “More importantly, it builds a community where these business owners support each other, fostering collaboration and peer relationships.”
One of the best parts of the Vault is the connections that arise, she said.
“My favorite memories have always been the random gatherings and conversations that spring up between members,” she said. “We’ve had moments where we all stand at the windows together, chatting and observing our community. Those are simple, shared experiences that I treasure.”
‘The energy’
The people working at the Vault range from freelancers to remote workers for larger companies.
John Foster has been a member since the Vault’s founding, saying he was drawn to the space by the energy of working around other people.
“I was — am — a freelancer and hated working alone at home,” he said. “It was nice to be around other people and offer my services, but more than that, it was about the atmosphere.
“In the last 13 years, I’ve been amazed at how well Vault adapts. It even survived COVID. With different people coming and going, Vault has always rolled with it and remained the best coworking gig in town.”
Eric Engelmann, former executive director of NewBoCo, recalls how Vault fit into NewBoCo’s innovation aspect from the beginning.
“We needed a physical place for entrepreneurs to connect, work together and learn from each other,” Engelmann says. “Being adjacent to the accelerator program and NewBoCo’s other initiatives helped facilitate cross-pollination between entrepreneurs.
“Vault members offered services to accelerator teams, such as videography, making connections happen faster and easier. That collaborative spirit is what continues to make Vault a unique space.”
One of his favorite memories of the Vault is the annual Tim Tam Slam event, organized by an Australian Vault member, Jo Miller, that highlights the shared memories of the coworking space.
What’s next?
Looking ahead, Wilkins envisions the Vault continuing to be a core driver of Cedar Rapids’ entrepreneurial community.
“In the next 10 years, I see the Vault as the nucleus of Cedar Rapids’ entrepreneurial and small business community,” she said. “We’re excited to welcome new members while maintaining a space for businesses of all kinds to thrive under one roof.
“The support they receive from NewBoCo staff and other Vault members is a key part of our community.”
Engelmann sees the next decade as an opportunity for more growth.
“We have members who’ve been here for a decade, some who are new, and others who drop in occasionally,” he said. “Vault will continue to thrive, bringing people together, whether they’re running local businesses or working for global companies.”
Vault offers a variety of amenities, including conference rooms, private phone rooms, a café and kitchen, complimentary beverages and snacks, free off-street parking and indoor bike storage, making it an attractive space for those seeking a supportive coworking environment.
For more information on how to become a part of its community, visit Newbo.co/vault-coworking/ or drop in by purchasing a day pass at https://newbo.co/series/vault-coworking-day-pass/.
Jessica Abdoney is marketing and communications coordinator at NewBoCo. Comments: jessica.abdoney@newbo.co
Daily Newsletters