Innovating Together: Communitech and QReserve
Communitech is a leading innovation organization based in Waterloo, Ontario, that supports tech companies at all stages of growth, from startups to scale-ups. It provides access to resources, mentorship, and a vibrant community to help businesses succeed. The Communitech Hub, located in the heart of Waterloo, is a collaborative space where companies can work, innovate, and connect with partners and investors, fostering an ecosystem of growth and innovation.
Communitech®, a cornerstone of innovation in Waterloo Region, Ontario, has been championing Canadian tech companies since 1997. By offering access to talent, capital, and markets, Communitech supports a diverse array of programs, including Fierce Founders for women and non-binary entrepreneurs, and Good AI for ethical AI practices. Beyond these initiatives, Communitech enhances medical tech ventures, facilitates international hiring, and connects firms with major customers through its Fast Track programs.
Central to all these activities is the Communitech Hub®—a dynamic coworking space that serves as a bustling environment for collaboration, innovation, and growth.
Ashley Campbell, the Manager of Facilities Operations at Communitech, understood the importance of efficient meeting space management within this vibrant coworking environment. The Hub is home to a diverse community of companies, startups, and innovators, all needing access to meeting rooms and community spaces.
Prior to implementing QReserve, Communitech faced significant challenges with its previous room booking software, which was not equipped to handle the complex needs of a shared space with multiple organizations. The old system was restrictive, limiting room booking to staff only, and placed a heavy administrative burden on the front desk team, who had to manually manage bookings for tenants.
The introduction of QReserve in 2018 presented an opportunity to streamline these operations. QReserve offered a comprehensive solution that aligned perfectly with Communitech's needs—a singular platform capable of managing room bookings across multiple companies and providing the flexibility required in a dynamic coworking space.
Implementing QReserve in late 2020 was a smooth transition. The collaborative approach taken during implementation marked a significant enhancement in operational efficiency for Communitech. This included expert integration of resources, customized workflows, and thorough training sessions, as well as regular post-implementation check-ins.
The results have been transformative for Communitech. QReserve's platform enabled the Hub to manage bookings across various companies seamlessly, offering tenants the autonomy to book meeting spaces as needed, without the constraints imposed by the previous software. This autonomy has significantly enhanced the tenant experience, allowing them to feel more integrated into the Communitech community.
"[QReserve] has allowed us to immediately move forward with new products, this system is comprehensive and dynamic enough that we do not need to source other solutions. Everytime we think of a new need, we turn to QReserve to see if they can help - and most of the time, they already have a solution built."
— Ashley Campbell, Manager of Facilities Operations, Communitech
QReserve also provided valuable tools like usage reporting and invoicing, which have simplified administrative tasks and improved efficiency. For example, the ability to generate detailed reports on room usage has allowed Communitech to optimize space utilization and better understand the needs of its tenants.
Looking ahead, Ashley is excited about future updates from QReserve, particularly those that will support subscription-based offerings and asset management. These features are expected to further enhance Communitech’s ability to manage its coworking space effectively and support the ongoing growth of the Hub.
QReserve has proven to be more than just a booking tool—it has become a critical component of Communitech's strategy to foster entrepreneurship and community growth within the Hub. The partnership between Communitech and QReserve continues to thrive, contributing to the success of the broader tech ecosystem in Waterloo and beyond.