Cambridge loses Betahouse, a hub for the high-tech startup scene

CAMBRIDGE – On Magazine Street in Cambridge, there used to be a co-working space called Betahouse, where tech-savvy designers, developers and entrepreneurs worked out their business plans, penned their ideas and debated with their peers. However, this hub of creative energy closed its doors last month, the Boston Business Journal reported.
Jon Pierce, founder of the co-working space, said the venture had originally planned to expand, but lease negotiations fell apart in mid-August. One thing led to another and, with the Magazine Street loft’s lease expiring shortly after, Betahouse officially closed on Aug. 31 to its 20 tenants.
Pierce has put the search for a new space on the back burner while he pursues other projects, the Boston Business Journal reported.
“The Betahouse community will live on virtually, and in some cases physically,” said Pierce, who founded the space in 2007. “I’m putting on the back burner, for now, getting a new space.”
At its peak, Betahouse hosted tech-related events – including hackfests, mixers and pitch sessions – but had to stop after neighbors complained.