“SPACE4 gave me access not just to a desk, but to a community of people who genuinely care about building a fairer economy. It’s a place where ideas and introductions can change the trajectory of a project.”
When John, co-founder of Branch, first joined SPACE4, he was looking for more than just a desk. As an Islington resident building a Tech for Good startup that supports women returning to work after maternity leave, he was seeking a space that aligned with Branch’s mission: a place that valued community, inclusion, and social impact as much as productivity.
Branch helps professional women use maternity leave as an opportunity for personal and professional growth. Through peer-coaching groups, local meet-ups, and an emerging digital platform, Branch supports women to reconnect with their sense of purpose and confidence as they transition back to work, addressing one of the most persistent inequalities in the modern workforce.
At SPACE4, John found the perfect environment to bring this mission to life. The affordable coworking setup provided the breathing room early-stage founders rarely get, while the network of tech-for-good entrepreneurs, freelancers, and organisers offered invaluable peer support. From casual chats over lunch to structured networking events, John found himself surrounded by people who understood the challenges and opportunities of building ventures with purpose.
Through SPACE4, John connected with advisors who played a pivotal role in Branch’s funding journey, including navigating the support available from Innovate UK. The collaborative spirit of the community also meant practical advice was never far away, from navigating grant applications to refining product strategy.
While working from SPACE4, John was unexpectedly reintroduced to an old school friend, Hanson Lee, who had launched DaddiLife, a platform supporting modern-day fatherhood. The serendipitous connection — sparked by a conversation within the SPACE4 community — provided a valuable sounding board for ideas and opened up opportunities for future collaboration between the two ventures supporting parents through major life transitions.
In 2025, Branch’s growth reached a new milestone: the team joined the Bethnal Green Ventures Tech for Good Accelerator, securing funding to help build out their next stage of development and scale their impact nationwide. John credits the SPACE4 community with helping him reach that point.
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