When you talk to Uly Rivera, Director of CoLabs in Seattle, one thing becomes clear quite quickly: this isn't just another biotech incubator. It's something more intentional, more collaborative, and more human.
"We're not just trying to accelerate startups," Uly said. "We're trying to build an environment where they can grow in a way that feels natural. That means flexibility, affordability, and real community."
Located across from the renowned Seattle Center, CoLabs is a flexible life sciences lab and coworking space with a big mission: to bridge the gap between early-stage incubation and full-scale biotech growth. In cities like Boston and San Francisco, that continuum is well supported. But in Seattle? That’s new.
"We needed a place that could support the in-between phase," Uly explained. "Where you’re not just two people in a university lab anymore, but you're not ready to lease 10,000 square feet either."
The term "incubator" isn’t just startup jargon here. It's a scientific truth and an operational approach. And Uly sees the parallel clearly.
"I think a true incubator is one that doesn't accelerate your growth — that's what accelerators are for. An incubator is there to nourish and create an environment where growth can happen."
It’s a distinction with real meaning in the world of biotech, where breakthroughs take time, experiments fail often, and progress happens in waves, not just sprints.
And just like in a lab, the conditions matter. That’s the heart of what CoLabs offers: the right environment, thoughtfully constructed, for long-term innovation to thrive.
That includes technical support, operational lift, emotional connection, and peer collaboration. CoLabs doesn’t offer speed. They offer sustainability.
Biotech isn’t your average startup field. It’s expensive, equipment-heavy, and timeline-stretched. CoLabs was built specifically to meet those unique demands.
Instead of a cookie-cutter approach, CoLabs adapts its services to the real-world needs of its members.
"We didn’t start with a fixed program. We talked to people. We asked, 'What do you need in a lab?' And then we built it around that."
From communal equipment and managed chemical permits to 24/7 security and a glass wash autoclave on-demand, the facility is designed for utility and ease. But what sets it apart isn’t just what’s in the lab. It’s how the lab fits into a broader ecosystem of support.
Tenants get exclusive services that allow them to focus on discovery and development instead of operational logistics. An on-site team manages chemical permitting and compliance, dock and shipment coordination, reception, and 24/7 secure access.
Ed Field has a conundrum familiar to most coworking operators: his most successful tenants keep leaving his space.
If you ask Uly what makes CoLabs truly different, it always comes back to community.
"We start with personal relationships. You care more about someone else's startup if you know them."
That philosophy flows through everything CoLabs does — from how they design lab space to how they structure events.
Programming includes:
This model echoes what coworking spaces have done so well for decades: matching members and encouraging moments of connection that lead to unexpected collaboration.
"When you bring in people who share your values and give them reasons to connect, cool things happen," Uly said.
For Uly, the bigger mission is about lowering barriers for biotech entrepreneurs, especially those outside the traditional institutional networks.
"There’s so much knowledge locked behind institutional walls. We want to democratize access."
CoLabs acts as a connector — linking garage tinkerers, academic spinoffs, international founders, and rural entrepreneurs with the resources they need: investors, BD support, lab services, and more. They introduce tenants to connections both inside and outside the walls of the space/
And they do it without making startups jump through hoops.
"We don’t ask for quarterly status reports. We don’t push you to hit artificial milestones. We help when it helps. That’s it."
Managing a hybrid space with labs, coworking areas, offices, events, and rotating experts is no small feat. That’s where Coworks space management software comes in.
"We're really happy with the platform," Uly shared. "For what we're looking for, it's a really good answer."
Coworks helps Uly and the CoLabs team keep everything running smoothly — from member listings and calendars to space reservations and operational coordination.
"I love that there's the directory, the events, and all these things in one place. One-stop shops are always good."
And it goes beyond convenience. Coworks helps preserve and promote institutional knowledge that otherwise gets lost as people shift roles or as spaces evolve.
"Even things like lab manuals or guidelines — when they're physically printed, they get outdated and lost. Coworks helps us keep all of that accessible and up-to-date."
Unlike most coworking spaces, CoLabs runs on science. That means high-tech equipment, rigorous compliance, and serious operational support. It also means removing obstacles that could slow down innovation.
Facilities at CoLabs include:
"We've been able to bring so much online just through relationships and trust. It's all tied to the community-first model," Uly explained.
As with any incubator, success means companies will eventually graduate and move on. For Uly, that moment is bittersweet.
"You get one sad day, and then you start building for the next one."
CoLabs is just getting started, nearing its first anniversary. But even now, the impact is showing. Companies are growing. Collaborations are forming. And a new model for biotech incubation is taking root in Seattle.
"Ultimately, we’re here to contribute to the ecosystem. That means healthy companies, diverse founders, and more opportunities in our city."
CoLabs is more than shared lab space. It’s a living, evolving community built to support the next generation of biotech innovators.
And thanks to Coworks, they can do it all with operational confidence and clarity.
If you're a coworking operator, incubator director, or simply curious about what a people-first space looks like in practice, CoLabs is one to watch.
Delight your members with coworking furniture that makes a statement, as well as serves functional and creative purposes. Read this list for...
There are a lot of considerations business owners face in creating a viable space for freelance and hybrid workers. Here’s a quick guide with key...
Small businesses in Jacksonville, Florida now have a dedicated space to work without having to commit to permanent office space.
