A panel of representatives from various coworking spaces in Madison said Tuesday at the monthly Wisconsin Innovation Network luncheon at the Sheraton Hotel that providing benefits to the community and not just desk space for entrepreneurs was the goal of their respective organizations.

“It’s a disservice to not share our (members’) intellect with our community,” Joe Sweeney, CEO and director of 100state, said of his group’s problem-solving events.

For example, at one “Problem-Solving Soiree,” 100state developed ideas with the United Way to help kids overcome barriers to getting to school.

Brian Samson, co-founder of Madworks Coworking at University Research Park, built upon that sentiment.

“You need to be in it for the community and the experience, not to turn a profit,” he said. Samson furthered his point by discussing the “share culture,” which is becoming a macro trend in Madison.

Meanwhile, TJ Blitz of Cresa Coworking advocated for helping “younger, smaller companies.”

“I think if we can invite these companies to come to Madison, stay and grow, it’ll help us all (in the community),” Blitz said.