co-working space targeting startups launches in Kenya

Workstyle, a new serviced office and co-working space has launched in Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya. The company is targeting, among other clients, tech and business start-ups; in need of shared working space or a private office in a community setting.

The company is incorporating a community feel and a modern design with state of the art workspaces. The growing demand for independence and freedom at the workplace complete with a sense of community inspired Workstyle.

Grace Wairimu, Workstyle’s General Manager said:

“serviced offices and co-working spaces are the future of working. When you look at most commercial buildings in prime locations; companies design and target the buildings at larger corporates, yet most businesses still have a staff count of under 10. Add to that the growth of start-up companies and the gig economy; and it is clear that the commercial office market is a good candidate for disruption. We started Workstyle to do exactly that.”

With prices as low as Ksh 100o per day, a desk for two starting from Ksh 25,000 and a private office for eight starting at Ksh 35,000, Workstyle is ideal for businesses seeking flexible workspace solutions that don’t involve long 5 year leases or additional staff just to keep the place neat and tidy. It’s a plus for employees and entrepreneurs who want to work in good neighbourhoods and well designed spaces that create community and foster collaboration.

Some of the companies already working there are in the financial, technology and new media startups and creatives as well as independent consultants, freelancers, and international clients who are in Nairobi temporarily.

Workstyle has a common lounge for social or informal meetings, separate from its two boardrooms for executive meetings. The company has designed their lounge for informal discussions, chilling out, and networking. The co-working space is also working with various event organizers to hold in-house events (formal and non-formal) with guest speakers and industry experts to fill the gap left by then community tech hubs which have all gone commercial.

State of co-working space industry

With Nairobi up and running, Workstyle says the concept is relevant in other cities in the region and plans to take the concept across Africa.

The co-working space industry is becoming popular because many business owners would rather invest capital in their core businesses than in furniture and internet. These fosters stronger, healthier businesses as no cash flow is tied up in unnecessary assets.

By the end of 2017, nearly 1.2 million people worldwide worked in a coworking space; according to a report by Deskmag, a co-working space industry magazine.

The growing co-working space membership numbers have led to the growth of the industry.

At the same time, nearly one in five coworking space boasted 150 or more members compared to the year before.

“There is a high sense of community and the presence of peers within the space, fosters innovation as ideas are exchanged, and new technologies created. Businesses spend more time on what they are good at and less time worrying about leases, furniture costs, funding, printer repair, and detergent costs; and when the space is well designed- people enjoy being at work- they are more productive and creative,” said Wairimu.

Co-working spaces are overtaking traditional offices in Kenya and globally because they are cheaper and better for businesses cash flows.

They also give users access to a network of other companies and entrepreneurs unlike leasing traditional offices.

Though there are so many alternatives in the market, the Pramukh Tower-based Workstyle says its value proposition in terms of price, space, amenities offered and its location make it the best in the market for entrepreneurs.

“There are several workspaces in Nairobi and in fact, quite a number within Westlands location alone. What makes us exceptional is the culture that we intend to nurture here at Workstyle. A culture that allows a budding entrepreneur to grow and thrive within a professional environment; that allows for collaboration and community,” concluded Wairimu.