Free office space for AI startups opens in Boston’s Downtown Crossing

Build617, a grassroots organization in Boston that hosts a podcast and organizes networking dinners, is expanding into the real estate realm. This week, it officially opens the new Build617 “co-building” space in Boston’s Downtown Crossing neighborhood, geared to founders of AI startups.

The rent? It’s free, supported by the commercial real estate firm Synergy. The only catch is that entrepreneurs must commit to using the space at least three times a week, said Nathan Spielberg, co-founder of Build617.

Unlike other “co-working” spaces like Workbar, Industrious or CIC, where anyone can buy a membership that gives them access to a single desk or a private office, Spielberg said that his vision is a space expressly for entrepreneurs in the early stages of starting a company.

It’s “by founders, for founders,” said Spielberg, who is also chief technology officer and co-founder of Tamarin.ai, a startup that uses AI to analyze what companies spend on their technology infrastructure. “I want to be working with other talented startups in the same space.”

“If we can create a natural, collaborative, high-density space where startups are building and working together and sharing the learnings … not only can they learn more quickly, they can be more mutually successful and understand … how technology is evolving,” he said.

The focus will be AI-oriented tech startups, Spielberg said. He did not yet know how many startups the full-floor space could accommodate, but once startups hit eight employees, they will need to find an office of their own.

Spielberg and his podcast co-host, Nick Leonard of VoiceRun, will select the initial group of companies to occupy the space.

Spielberg said that Synergy has committed to giving his organization space for at least a year, and the commitment could be extended beyond that. In addition to Synergy, Spielberg said there are “other partners that we are not naming yet” who are supporting the project.

Build617 is hosting a tour of the new space, followed by dinner, on Thursday.

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