Mr Ruck (21), a fourth-year law student, uses the office as study space and for weekly meetings as an executive committee member for Ignite Consulting, which is based in the building.
Ignite recruited and trained student volunteers to offer consulting services for not-for-profit organisations in Dunedin who could not afford the services of professional consultants, he said.
The facilities had helped Ignite expand and Mr Ruck said he could see Dunedin's fledgling businesses enjoying similar benefits in future.
''It's still very much in the advertising phase, but I imagine as more and more start-ups get on to it, then more and more will start coming.
''It's starting to be a lot more used.''
Those just starting out in pursuit of a bright business idea were often not able to afford office space and equipment, which made the office's facilities ''just fantastic'', he said.
''Having free rent is just such a massive thing for a start-up company, just because they don't have the funds.
''Also, if you have a place where people can meet, it almost becomes a social incubator where people share their ideas.
''That ability to have the enthusiasm bouncing off between groups is a really good opportunity for people who may lose it if they go somewhere else.''
That was likely to deliver long-term benefits for the city by encouraging more students to remain and pursue their business ideas in Dunedin, he believed.
''What students tend to do is, they sort of come here, get their education and leave.
''If you provide spaces like this for them to come, set up and establish themselves, then I think they'll stay in the long term and provide benefits for Dunedin and the wider community.''
