If the tech world is fueled by anything, it’s caffeine and ideas. So it was only a matter of time until a tech company officially merged the two.
German software maker SAP is opening a cafe in Silicon Valley to “draw a walk-in crowd of techies,” according to the AP. The software maker wants to provide a friendly space for networking and sharing ideas — with gourmet coffee and free Wi-Fi, of course — for likeminded tech workers and aspiring startup founders.
The HanaHaus cafe is opening in the former New Varsity Theater in Palo Alto, a location close to Stanford, Facebook, Hewlett-Packard and several venture capital firms and startups. According to the website, “the new 15,000-square-foot facility is designed to encourage community, connection and creativity.”
According to AP, “SAP’s Sanjay Shirole says he wants to foster a creative environment where anyone can sip coffee, swap ideas or pound their computer keyboards alongside others ‘who share a passion for technology.’ ” The cafe will sell Blue Bottle refreshments, offer rental space for events and meetings, and a desk with SAP engineers and independent consultants who will offer free advice.
No word on whether SAP will bring this concept to the Seattle area. The company also owns Bellevue-based Concur.
The HanaHaus cafe is open to the public March 19.