While office workers are on appointments, attending training courses, working part-time, or sick, their workstations remain unused. In Germany alone, more than half a billion square meters of office space are temporarily vacant, according to the Munich-based startup Shareyourspace, which offers flexible and affordable office space rentals.
Munich Startup: Who are you and what do you do? Please briefly introduce yourself and your services!
Shareyourspace: Who we are? Shareyourspace is a company of experienced players in the real estate industry and digital experts, founded in 2019 by:
- Dr. Tobias Wagner, CEO: Business Administration at WHU, PhD in Psychology at Friedrich Schiller University, leadership positions in technology and real estate companies, multiple founders, Battlefield Real Estate, Software, Web
- Christian Ehl, CTO: University of Georgia, Wake Forest University, Electrical Engineering TU Munich, Entrepreneur, Battlefield Digitalization Projects Large Corporations, Tech Ventures, Artificial Intelligence
- Commerz Real AG, Asset Manager of the Commerzbank Group
Our service? The platform www.shareyourspace.comIt translates the Airbnb principle into the office world. Sharing space and rooms brings flexibility to the office and work environment. Furthermore, it provides the strongest possible lever for greater sustainability in the real estate industry.
What is the problem addressed? The office market is characterized by rigid, long-term leases. However, modern work practices—project teams, startups, new work, dynamic companies—require cost-efficient, time- and location-flexible workspaces.
The solution? Offices are up to 70 percent unused: vacancies, part-time work, out-of-office days, too much space, etc. In Germany alone, this represents over half a billion square meters. Shareyourspace is the platform for anyone who wants to offer or book these temporary spaces. Workspace as a Service, pay per use.
Who is this service for? Anyone with an office, meeting space, or conference room. Whether owner or tenant. Whether company or private individual. Whether administration, hotel industry, or operator of coworking spaces. And anyone looking for office space, workstations, or meeting rooms. Whether self-employed, project team, or multinational corporation.
What are the benefits? Maximum flexibility for tenants and landlords. Reduction in space costs. Increased revenue through better space utilization without additional investment. Coworking options. New Work. Sustainability at its best.
Shareyourspace aims to “make spaces usable in all locations, in all settings, and in all sizes.”
Munich Startup: But that's been around for a long time!
Shareyourspace: No. There are real estate portals that broker offices with long-term leases. The listings there are primarily posted by real estate agents. The addresses of the locations can usually only be obtained through the real estate agent. The business model is based on paid listings. Contacts are merely brokered; leasing and renting take place outside of the portals. And there are coworking operators who, by their very nature, are limited to specific locations and standardized space products, which they have to sell at comparatively high prices. Our idea of an Office-as-a-Service is much more comprehensive: We want to make space usable in all locations, at all sites, with all amenities, and in all sizes. Furthermore, the more existing offices are utilized more effectively, the greater the boost for sustainability.
Munich Startup: What has been your biggest challenge so far?
Shareyourspace: To gain widespread recognition.
“Munich has the largest stock of office space in Germany”
Munich Startup: Let’s get down to business: How is business going?
Shareyourspace: We've been live since the end of 2019. Our progress so far shows that we're on the right track.
Munich Startup: What does Munich mean to you?
Shareyourspace: With almost 25 million square meters, Munich has the largest inventory of office space in Germany. Conventional rentals are scarce and expensive, dynamic companies are involved, and traffic is a significant problem. Therefore, Office as a Service is needed. We ourselves are a Munich-based company with an international team, making us the perfect fit for this cosmopolitan city with a heart.
Munot a startup: How does your startup become the next unicorn? Or will we see you soon at Epic Fail Night?
Shareyourspace: With heart, understanding, diligence, and excellent customer service. However, we're not interested in achieving a high company rating. We want to use our service to make one of the largest industries more sustainable. Protecting the environment is our social responsibility. Achieving this together with our customers and thereby doing good is our fundamental motivation.
Munich Startupp: Isar or English Garden?
Shareyourspace: Zugspitze, of course. Skiing, views, cheers. Right at the top.
