The research focuses on the key role played by ‘collectives of makers’ from SMEs in urban transformations. Case studies are central. At a time when space in the city is becoming increasingly scarce, the pressure on space for work is increasing. Entrepreneurs of 6 best practices secure space for work by operating as a collective. By securing their (affordable) space for work, collective can yield added value for area development in urban environments.
If applied to into a social investment businessmodel, entrepreneurs could
1. more clearly legitimise the position and relevance of SMEs in the city
2. make unprofitable end affordable (to be shared among the benefit-holders)
3. Offer SME collectives a permanent role in area development
4. Make better use of real estate, facilities and infrastructures (densify/stack/cluster)
5. Promote urban-mining and last mile of circular chains back to the city.

We describe three specific preconditions that contribute to scaling up entrepreneurial collectives: 1) measuring their impact at building, area and city level, 2) embracing new forms of collaboration and 3) developing a long-term vision of workspace in the city. The perspective of the entrepreneur is central. But there is also a focus on the role of government, the necessary policy support and the tools to enable upscaling.