Plinth’s SPACE4 Story

When Tom and Will first arrived at SPACE4 with their idea for Plinth, they found more than just affordable workspace, they discovered a community that would become key to their journey from idea to impact.

SPACE4’s support began with the basics that many early-stage social ventures struggle with: affordable space and access to networks. By offering reduced rent in exchange for Tom and Will’s help organising the weekly community lunch, SPACE4 created an arrangement that worked for everyone. This wasn’t just about cutting costs—it was about building community connections from day one.

The real boost came through Polly’s wide network within the social sector. Her introductions opened doors that might have taken months to unlock on their own. Help on Your Doorstep became one of Plinth’s first users, followed by partnerships with Islington Council and Home-Start UK. These weren’t just clients—they became the foundation stories that would help Plinth understand and improve their offering for the community sector.

Most importantly, SPACE4 provided access to a wider group of changemakers. By introducing Tom and Will to other people tackling similar challenges in the social sector, the space helped create the kind of peer learning and collaboration that often proves more valuable than formal mentorship programmes.

When Plinth needed technical support to develop their initial prototype features, SPACE4’s co-location with Founders and Coders proved invaluable. The ability to hire developers and apprentices from the same building meant finding people who already understood the mission-driven context of their work—a crucial factor when building technology for social impact.

This case study shows how SPACE4’s model works in practice: by creating an environment where lower costs, helpful introductions, peer networks, and talent access come together, early-stage social ventures can focus on what matters most—developing solutions that serve their communities.

Today, Plinth continues to grow, supporting organisations across the social sector through their platform. Their success shows how the right support at the right time can transform an idea into real impact—exactly what SPACE4 was designed to make happen.