I find it interesting to see history repeating itself.
Loosecubes tried to fulfill this niche and never made it profitable.
If I had to independently conclude why, I might say that the relationship-building aspect of this kind of microcoworking is the most compelling for hosts but that kind of value is difficult to quantify and therefore difficult to monetize.
It is hard to know why loosecubes died (do we have any alumni here that can answer this). My gut feeling is difficult to monetize at the level required to support investors. It would seem the demand is there, but the market is likely to be too small - good concept for a bootstrapped lifestyle business though.
I actually am an alumni, though I left before the end. I'd characterize your gut as accurate.
Loosecubes was the first VC-backed started I ever worked at. And it taught me a lesson (Lots of lessons, actually! Fantastic experience with amazing people.) that I would then be taught at a few other startups as well: When you take that money, you need to be prepared to return it 100 times over. That's why they are investing in you. Not to get it back with a 10% return but to get it back 10x or 100x.
Loosecubes tried to fulfill this niche and never made it profitable.
If I had to independently conclude why, I might say that the relationship-building aspect of this kind of microcoworking is the most compelling for hosts but that kind of value is difficult to quantify and therefore difficult to monetize.