Right at the start, I wanted to know what actually sets Werk1 apart from other incubator centers in Munich. Robert explained that it has long been about much more than just office space. In addition to a café, event and meeting spaces, coworking, and startup offices, so-called enablers such as High-Tech Gründerfonds and Bayern Kapital are also based directly in-house. This means startups can get in touch directly with investors. He described Werk1 less as a traditional incubator and more as a campus where more and more initiatives from the startup scene are settling. I particularly liked his metaphor for it: a kind of small Disney World for startups, with the Ferris wheel right outside the front door.
From Incubator to Startup Campus
I found the look back at the location’s development fascinating. Werk1 launched in 2013 with just under 2,000 square meters. The decisive turning point came in 2023, when the team moved into the current building with 7,000 square meters and additionally opened another with 4,000 square meters—almost doubling the total space within a year and a half. It was during this very period that the coliving space was launched, which Robert describes as a real game changer, especially since housing in Munich is often the biggest hurdle for international talent.
I was also curious about how the idea of coliving came about in the first place, especially since I am living right in the middle of it myself this week. Robert explained that Munich’s startup scene is extremely international, but living space is scarce and expensive. That gave rise to the idea of combining working and living, though limited to a maximum of six months. Enough time to settle into the city, but not a permanent arrangement. According to Robert, feedback from the community also demonstrates how vital this offer can be for startups: some teams have even opted against offers from large corporates when they were able to provide their employees with an apartment through Werk1. Over the past three years, Robert noted that people from around 60 different nations have stayed in the coliving space—a “melting pot,” as he calls it.
Naturally, I also asked about the challenges. One of them was the length of stay: originally only three months were planned, but now, thanks to a special permit, it is up to six. And because it may only be rented to startups, the circle of residents remains more manageable than one might think. In response to the frequent objection about whether it isn’t strange to live and work in the same building, Robert had a clear answer: You’re not locked in, after all—the Werksviertel with all its possibilities is right on your doorstep.
When Serendipity Sparks New Ideas
One topic that intrigued me personally was the question of serendipity—those spontaneous encounters I hope to experience myself this week. Robert pointed to innovation research: The best ideas often don’t emerge at a desk, but during a conversation in the communal kitchen or over coffee. That’s exactly what happens here every day—startups meet coworkers, coworkers found new companies themselves, and people with a similar mindset find one another.
To conclude, we took a look into the future. Funding from the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs is secured through 2032, and the lease agreements have been extended accordingly. Further growth to up to 15,000 square meters is planned, and the vision reaches even further: The Werksviertel could become a kind of living lab where autonomous robots or delivery drones, for example, can be tested under simplified regulatory conditions. The coliving offering is also slated to expand in the long term, from the current 63 rooms towards 100 to 200, provided suitable space can be found.
After the conversation, I walked through the building with a completely fresh perspective. What feels to me like an exciting temporary home this week is a long-term vision for Munich as a startup hub for Robert and his team. Tomorrow, I’ll join the coworking tour and then work from the coworking space for the day.
