Alpha Loft Celebrates HappsNow

Alpha Loft, an initiative of the NH Tech Alliance, is concluding a big and busy year filled with change. Signature events such as the Startup Shindig saw record attendance, the Accelerate NH program had its largest cohort of startup companies ever. Startup founders participating in the programs have raised significant investment capital, grown their businesses, and innovated here in the state of New Hampshire. The year began when Alpha Loft became an initiative of the New Hampshire Tech Alliance and began reviewing its services and evaluating how best to serve startup founders.

One of the services Alpha Loft has offered over the years is coworking. This is a necessary component of a startup ecosystem, and for many years was not available outside of Alpha Loft. With the proliferation of coworking spaces operating throughout the state, Alpha Loft is refocusing efforts on the primary goal of aiding NH Startups and their founders through innovative programs, events, and direct engagement.  

As a result, and through some serendipity, Alpha Loft will no longer offer coworking services and is turning its downtown Portsmouth space over to HappsNow. A participant in AlphaLoft’s first Accelerate NH cohort, HappsNow is growing and has been looking for a flexible space in downtown Portsmouth.

“I love that our space will become the headquarters for a startup from our accelerator program. Everything has come full circle. HappsNow is a great example of a success from our programs – a successful startup that stays in New Hampshire to grow. This is really perfect timing as we prepare for our next Accelerate NH program in early 2019,” said Josh Cyr, director of education and acceleration for the AlphaLoft initiative.

HappsNow will be taking over the Portsmouth space at the beginning of the year, and working with the existing coworking members to continue providing space for an easy transition.

“HappsNow has called Portsmouth home since inception in 2016. We are fortunate to have found our niche within the event ticketing and fan experience space. We are happy to be able to work with Alpha Loft through this transition.” said Ryan McCann, president of HappsNow.

This has been a year of transition for Alpha Loft. Formally known as NH High Tech Council, the NH Tech Alliance is the parent organization that has taken Alpha Loft and Live Free and Start on as initiatives. The acquisition of the organizations and the rebrand are just part of the aligning the New Hampshire Tech Alliance to better serve the NH tech ecosystem at all stages of the business lifecycle. Alpha Loft will continue outreach with startups across the state of New Hampshire, and will maintain office space in Manchester.