AOL Offers Startups Free Office Space | Hacker News Reader

AOL Offers Startups Free Office Space

businessweek.com

40 pointscoderdude16 comments

From a business standpoint, I've got to agree that AOL is making a lot of bold moves, and is trying to reform.

But from a humanist standpoint, reading an article about AOL's massive amount of open office space, reminds me that they just laid off (or are in the process of laying off) 25% of their workforce.

Not saying that this Palo Alto space is now free after former employees vacated, for all I know they worked in other offices, but still - my first gut reaction to this article was "yuck" - like "hey startups! We just laid off a huge chunk of our staff - more room for you!"

Well on the other hand look at how much these, huge cash (no ideas) rich companies spend prematurely buying out new ideas before these startups have flourished, thinking this will help their brand and traffic stats. However, If they succeed acting like an incubator, awesome ideas will have the time to blossom (with cash and high level support).

The building is pretty new and iirc larger than the rest of their silicon valley real estate.

Tasty labs actually moved into some of their old space in downtown mountain view.

I was just there for an interview - it is very nice, new office space with plenty of parking. In true fashion, some of the tenants were racing RC cars around in the empty space, so whether it's due to layoffs or just an inability to rent, there's definitely more space in that building for interested startups.

I'm not sure what the exact terms are or even what the PA market looks like, but not having to sweat about office space seems on the surface like a Good Thing for a startup outgrowing their current digs (or living room).

I live near that office - how do I get on the waiting list for space?

Nice space near cal ave. When we talked to them it seemed like the space would cost money though.

I'd like to see Aol's Beverly Hills space do the same thing. I'd want to use it!

You should ask Myspace; their building's on the same block and I'm sure they've got some space these days.

Not sure I would want all of my engineers who are working on socially engineered spamming exposed to startup culture. They might not be able to resist the urge to move across the hall.

"socially engineered spamming". How accurately does this really represent AOL's business model?

I was hoping with all that space opening up at their offices near D.C. this would be for that area.

Hmm, no link to apply? Googling didn't help either. Anyone knows?

AOL is looking for more startups. Interested? Email Trent Herren at trentherren@aol.com to get the details.

See http://qr.ae/Rnwu

Useful, thanks!

Any word on how many free minutes of internet the startups working there get?

"AOL is cool." The phrase appears in big blue letters on a long whiteboard lining a hallway

could you get any less uncool?

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