Third LaunchPad space planned for Great Neck Plaza

LaunchPad, a creator of co-working spaces for small businesses, plans to open its third local facility this fall, in Great Neck Plaza.

Andrew S. Hazen, co-founder and chief executive of Launchpad, said the new operation would be located in 7,600 square feet at 3 Grace Ave. The building is near municipal parking and the Long Island Rail Road station.

He and others said Great Neck was an ideal spot for technology startups to attract employees from New York City. He also said the many restaurants, bars and other businesses in the downtown area would be attractive.

"Our goal is to create a place that people want to be; there's a nice vibe in Great Neck," Hazen said in an interview.

Launchpad rents individual offices and desks on a monthly basis. Tenants have access to conference rooms, a kitchen and educational programs such as a speakers' series. The spaces are modern and come with a lounge with a plasma-screen television and pingpong, Foosball and pool tables, among other amenities.

"There are no leases; everything is month to month," Hazen said. "We're not trying to be a landlord."

Fees range from a low of $149 per month for an unassigned desk, to between $700 and more than $3,000 for a private office. All come with 24/7 building access, Wi-Fi, coffee and water service and use of a conference room for at least one hour per month.

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The tenant roster at the two existing locations numbers more than 60 businesses.

Hicksville-based Launchpad began last year with Launchpad Mineola, a 12,000-square-foot co-working space adjacent to the LIRR station there. In February, Launchpad Huntington opened in 8,600 square feet on Main Street in Huntington village.

Each is operated by a licensee: entrepreneur and investor Richard Foster in Mineola and entrepreneur Tyler Roye in Huntington.

The Great Neck branch will be run by Peter Goldsmith, president of the Long Island Software & Technology Network (LISTnet), which is based at Launchpad Mineola.

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Goldsmith said Launchpad Great Neck is seeking approvals from local officials, who helped to recruit a building owner for the project.

Launchpad Great Neck also hopes to get tax breaks from the Nassau County Industrial Development Agency.

"I think we can fill Launchpad Great Neck with software and startup technology companies," Goldsmith said. "We're trying to create an ecosystem for these types of companies to grow on Long Island."