How to Start Collaborating: Using Shared Spaces to Find Co-Founders and Clients

At some point, most founders and freelancers ask the same question:

“How do people actually find co-founders or clients while traveling or working remotely?”

Not through LinkedIn cold messages. Not by pitching strangers at events. And definitely not by forcing conversations that feel transactional.

The truth is quieter than that.

The strongest collaborations usually come from shared context, not scheduled networking. And that’s exactly where well-designed shared spaces—coworkings and colivings—make a real difference.

This guide breaks down how collaboration really starts, why some spaces work better than others, and how to show up in a way that attracts the right people naturally.

Why “networking” rarely works (and what works instead)

Traditional networking assumes something that science and experience both contradict: that one-off interactions create trust.

Research in organizational psychology consistently shows that trust is built through repeated, low-pressure exposure, not high-stakes introductions. This is known as the mere-exposure effect—the idea that familiarity breeds comfort and openness.

In simple terms: People collaborate with those they see often, not those who pitch best.

Shared spaces work when they’re designed to encourage:

• Repeated interaction

• Informal conversation

• Psychological safety

• Time spent together without an agenda

That’s the foundation of real collaboration.

This is why shared spaces beat events for finding co-founders

If you’re asking “Where can I find a co-founder?”, the answer is rarely “at a startup event.”

Co-founders are built, not found. They emerge through:

• Working near each other

• Watching how someone thinks

• Seeing how they handle pressure

• Observing consistency over time

Coworking and coliving spaces allow this slow evaluation to happen naturally. You don’t have to decide anything on day one. You notice alignment gradually.

That’s exactly how long-term partnerships should begin.

The difference between shared rent and intentional community

Not all shared spaces create collaboration.

Some are just desks in a room. Others are designed ecosystems.

Intentional spaces pay attention to:

• Who joins (curation matters)

• How people move through the space

• Where informal conversations happen

• How introductions are facilitated

• Whether community managers actively connect people

  
  

Without this layer, collaboration becomes random. With it, synergy becomes predictable.

This is why places like

Circles House focus as much on community design as on a boutique physical space for entrepreneurs, founders and remote freelancers or workers —because environment shapes behavior.

Outsite — popular with remote workers and digital nomads who move between cities, known for blending work-friendly homes with curated locations.

Selina — combines coworking, coliving, and events creating overlap between travelers, creatives, and  backpackers.

Sun and Co — one of Europe’s earliest founder-focused colivings, designed explicitly for collaboration and deep work.

How to approach people without “networking”

If you want to collaborate, here’s the mindset shift that changes everything:

Don’t ask for opportunities. Create proximity.

A simple, effective framework:

1. Be visible, not promotional

Work in shared areas. Eat communal meals. Attend optional gatherings. Visibility builds familiarity, and familiarity builds trust.

2. Lead with curiosity

Instead of “What do you do?”, try:

• “What are you building right now?”

• “What are you exploring these days?” These invite conversation without pressure.

3. Offer context, not a pitch

Share what you’re working on casually, the same way you’d tell a friend. Clarity attracts the right people; hype repels them.

4. Collaborate small, first

Before big commitments, suggest something light:

• Reviewing an idea

• Giving feedback

• Sharing a resource

• Working side-by-side for an afternoon

Most successful partnerships start small.

Finding freelance clients while traveling (without chasing them)

For freelancers, shared spaces solve a common problem: credibility without cold outreach.

When people see how you work—your focus, reliability, and thinking—trust forms faster than through portfolios alone.

Many freelance clients emerge from:

• Casual conversations turning into “Could you help with…?”

• Referrals inside the community

• Watching someone solve a problem in real time

The key isn’t selling. It’s doing good work where people can see it.

Why community management matters more than square meters

The most overlooked factor in collaboration is facilitation.

Great community managers:

• Make thoughtful introductions

• Notice complementary skills

• Encourage group conversations

• Create low-pressure moments to connect

This isn’t accidental. It’s a form of social architecture.

Research in innovation ecosystems shows that structured serendipity—designed moments for unplanned interaction—dramatically increases collaboration and idea exchange.

In other words: collaboration isn’t luck. It’s designed.

Collaboration is a long game

The biggest mistake people make is trying to force outcomes too quickly.

Shared spaces work best when you:

• Show up consistently

• Stay open, not transactional

• Let trust compound

• Allow relationships to evolve

Most co-founders and long-term clients don’t start with a big “yes.” They start with a coffee. A conversation. A shared week of work.

The real takeaway

If you’re traveling, working remotely, or building something solo, the question isn’t “How do I network better?”

It’s: “Am I spending time in spaces designed for connection?”

Because when environment, community, and intention align, collaboration stops being something you chase—and becomes something that happens around you.

And that’s when the right people tend to show up.