About us – the story behind MACHWERK
From a fresh start to our own coworking space
MACHWERK wasn’t created by a large investor. It grew out of a simple belief: good ideas need space. And that space shouldn’t depend on the size of the budget behind them.
This idea is closely linked to the story of Rami Alsaleh .
When Rami came to Germany from Syria in 2015, it meant a completely new start for him. A new language, a new environment and the question of how to continue his career – while also supporting his family.
Rami learned German quickly, built a new network and spent years supporting other refugees and newcomers. As a coach, he helped them settle in Germany, learn the language, find work and make new connections.
In 2018, Rami helped launch MACHWERK – a coworking space built on solidarity, for people and organisations who want to make a difference in society and need affordable space to do it.
From the Alte Münze to Holzmarktstraße
The first rooms were in the Alte Münze in Berlin. Furniture was collected second-hand, desks were assembled by hand, and step by step, simple rooms became a lively community. Rami was there from day one and eventually took over the management of MACHWERK and continued to develop the space.
“From the very beginning, I experienced something at MACHWERK that means a lot to me: I was never ‘the refugee’. I was simply Rami – partner, entrepreneur and part of a community. That’s exactly the feeling we want to give other people.”
The road wasn’t easy. MACHWERK survived the pandemic, rising costs and several economically difficult periods. But Rami held on to the idea and kept developing the space.
With the move to Holzmarktstraße 66 MACHWERK has found a new, modern home.
Coworking with solidarity
MACHWERK deliberately wants to be more than a classic coworking space. Alongside companies and freelancers, NGOs, social projects and founders with smaller budgets should also find a professional workplace and a community here.
That’s why a solidarity-based pricing model is still at the heart of MACHWERK. We believe the most exciting places emerge where different people come together and benefit from each other.
Our values
Inclusion and equality: With us, it doesn’t matter where you come from or how big your budget is. What counts are the people, their ideas and what they want to achieve.
Support for NGOs and social impact: Our roots are in the social sector. Non-profits, social initiatives and people driving social change should find a place with us.
Empowering women founders: We want to support women on their entrepreneurial path and create an environment where new ideas, businesses and networks can grow.
Everyday sustainability: From furnishing and daily operations to catering, we use resources consciously and look for pragmatic, sustainable solutions.
MACHWERK itself was born from a fresh start, has weathered crises and kept evolving. Today it is a place for people who want to start something new and make a difference themselves.
Come by, have a coffee with us and become part of MACHWERK!
The team
The people behind MACHWERK
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