The idea of TeamUP.Space evolved over the years. I picked the .space domain extension as one of the least expensive options, simulating the concept of an artist crafting a valuable piece from inexpensive material that might otherwise be dismissed.

In 2015, I finalized the first idea to proceed with and had to look up the domain registries to confirm the date. Earlier, around 2013, we started a project called “Space” within the Noble Pixels team. It was designed to be our accounting and honor system for tracking time.

As I built a team that would work flexibly and move frequently, I wanted to create an environment where they could thrive while streamlining communication. Over the years, we built and used our system for both internal and client collaborations, releasing at least three major versions. Eventually, we began considering making our solution available to other agencies and teams.

By 2022, post-COVID, we had all been deeply affected by life events and personal losses, including my own trauma from losing my father and other close relatives. This life-turning experience sparked my thinking for a couple of years. Hearing from WHO debates during COVID, it became clear that we lacked a centralized collaboration space for people and organizations to transmit reliable and verified information quickly.

We already had a working solution for problem-solving, often tackling complex digital challenges that required creativity and engineering to come together. Our focus was on creating a project management solution for efficient problem-solving that could extend beyond digital challenges. What set us apart was our ability to achieve incredibly fast onboarding and staffing solutions—from posting a job to integrating someone into the team, onboarding them with a project, and guiding them to success. Freelancers and contractors were often excited to find their next gig with us.

In 2022, we reached a pivotal moment: why not open our solution to become a platform for Open Collaboration? We envisioned centralizing efforts, much like in Open Source, to collectively tackle challenges through shared learning and contribution. The internet enabled connection and elaboration, and social media gave everyone a voice. Yet, despite these tools, we often failed to access reliable information or drive collective progress.

Wikipedia, as a source of collective information, centralized knowledge but lacked the ability to show tangible progress. For example, COVID’s unresolved questions remain a mystery to many of us. Our goal isn’t necessarily to solve past issues but to provide a tool that allows us to plug in a challenge, unite around it, and assign responsibilities to those with the skills and time to contribute. Many problems are urgent daily, and while the internet connects us, it also distracts us, pulling focus from inspiring stories and meaningful progress.

We launched TeamUP.Space on December 12, 2024. Despite resourcing crunches, some of our most dedicated team members worked tirelessly to make this launch possible. This project stems from our R&D in productivity and collaboration solutions, fully grassroots and internally funded. By opening up our processes to create this public platform, we hope our approach to problem-solving resonates with those who need a tool to broadcast, create spaces, unite people, and solve social or global challenges.

Let’s Team UP and change the world in our own way, doing what we love and care about.