The document discusses GoodWorks, a coworking space provider in India. It began in 2017 with 50 seats but has grown exponentially to over 8,000 seats currently. GoodWorks offers customized dedicated offices, private offices, hot desks, virtual offices, conference rooms, and event spaces. It aims to provide beautiful, innovative, and scalable workspaces and communities. The company's growth and success can be attributed to its focus on design, technology, and commitment to helping startups and businesses succeed through mentorship programs and other initiatives. GoodWorks' goal is to continue expanding nationally and achieve 20,000 seats by developing future-focused workspaces.
4. Editor’s Note
COWORKING SPACE:
AN ARENA FOR
TOMORROW’S
WORKFORCE
t was going to be an important meeting, one could
Isay, it was a meeting of a lifetime. After the failure of
Burbn, its founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger
were in tough situations.
The app that was built with features like check-ins,
making future, hanging out with friends, etc. were not
the ones that most people were seeking. Hence, both
the founders locked themselves in a conference room
and after hours of discussion and several application
tests decided to develop the app which would
completely focus on the photo-sharing feature with an
intuitive experience. Today, that app is known as
Instagram. But did you know the office, where this
multi-billion dollar idea was conceived, was located at a
coworking space? Did you also know that when the
times were tough for the pioneers, co-working
communities helped them in their hour of need?
Co-working has come a long way, since the concept
was derived. Originally the idea was for a physical
space for independent workers to come and work
together to avoid loneliness. However, today it has
become a germinating ground for tomorrow's
disruptive companies. Alongside Instagram, Uber,
Spotify, Ziprecuiter, Dailyhunt, and many such
5. innovative companies have transformed themselves
from a mere startup to multi-million and billion dollar
entities.
All of the immense success of these companies is
possible because of Co-working’s most important
aspect i.e. establishing a community. In co-working
spaces, management practices are closer to that of a
cooperative, including a focus on community rather
than profit. It is an arrangement where several
companies of diverse industries rent spaces that allows
them to use Avante-Garde infrastructure and conduct
their respective business in a social, collaborative and
informal way. Such aspects, combined with the
delightful interior, and opportunities to connect with
energetic, like-minded people, make co-working
spaces a perfect place for building's tomorrow' next-
big-thing.
Witnessing these shared offices many advantages and
how they have transformed the landscape of the Indian
real estate market, we, at Insights Success, have come
up with ‘India’s Most Fascinating Coworking Spaces to
Watch'. This magazine edition enlists some of the
emerging and established Co-working space providers
that provide an employee-friendly ambiance and act
as a catalyst where pioneering ideas thrive.
On the Cover, we have GoodWorks CoWork, which
pioneers in providing the Workspace-as-a-Service
model and creates the custom layout, interiors,
branding, and lockable entrance. The company offers
beautifully designed and ergonomically functioning
workspaces where vibrant communities are formed. It
strives to provide a workplace where 'experience' is
everything.
For the ‘Company of the Month’, we have featured
Pannal (Chrysler Tech Center), which offers high
quality and affordable office spaces that cater to
businesses of all sizes. Its vibrant spaces are uniquely
designed to provide hassle-free workflows and foster
productivity in the workspace.
Alongside the above, we have featured: WorkDen,
which ensures to create spaces that are warm, simple
and exceeds clients' expectations and an interview with
GNMV Spaces, which aims to provide an economical
and effective working environment for MMEs and
SMEs in Mumbai.
We are also honored to bring an Interview with
Chulamas Jitpatima, Director,Whizdom Club- MQDC’s
(Magnolia Quality Development Corporation).
While flipping through the pages, don’t skip the CXO
‘Future of Co-Working Space’ penned down by Mr.
Umang Sood, Co-Founder and Director of Of10, who
shares his valuable views on the Co-Working Space
industry.
Have an exciting read ahead!
Vishal Muktewar
6. C O N T
10
GoodWorks
Developing Workspaces where Ideas thrive
CoverStory
Boosting Startup
Ecosystem
This is Why Startup
Business Flourishes in
Co-working Spaces
34
Article
38
Future of
Co-Working Space
CXO Standpoint
CXO
7. T E N T S
18
30
Magnolia Quality
Development
Corporation (MQDC)
Workspaces where
Innovation Thrives
24
GNMV
Enabling Office
Spaces in a
Dynamic Way
Company Of The Month
Pannal (Chrysler Tech Centre):
Diverse Services Under
One Roof
Interview with Insights Success
22
WorkDen
Workspaces that
Amplify Your Success
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12. GoodWorksDeveloping Workspaces where Ideas thrive
GoodWorks
has today become
a standardde-facto
for Fortune 500 & SMEs
to take up customized
managed office
spaces
“
“
14. spaces for today's fast-paced
companies, have come across
GoodWorks .
In 2017, what started as a 50-seater
pilot project at Whitefield, Bengaluru,
has today become one of the largest
coworking and managed office spaces
players in India. Committed to follow
the best industry practices, GoodWorks
operates out of OC compliant
commercial Grade-A properties in
upscale locations in Bangalore.
By offering beautifully designed and
ergonomically functioning workspaces,
the brand enjoys the positioning of a
premium workspace provider in the
market. It has helped to build a vibrant
community, host events and deploy
tech-driven facility management. It
provides a workplace where
‘experience’ is everything.
Delivering a Customized Ambience
GoodWorks’ brand DNA is built with
beauty, scalability, agility, and
innovation at its core. The brand
focuses on building communities and
enables positive workplace
experiences. It finds value in creating
beautiful products that are innovative
and scalable with an agile workforce.
Below is the list of facilities that
GoodWorks offers:
• Dedicated Desks: Ideal for 1-20
seats, these desks are reserved and
provide storage units for
individuals and teams.
• Hot Desks: These are Flexible
floating desks with pay per
hour/day/month options and ideal
for people with no fixed schedules.
Today, coworking has become a
booming industry which is
growing larger every year. As
advancements in technology have
mobilized the workforce, working
remotely in one’s own comfort has
become more common. Organizations
are realizing that providing a flexible
work environment for employees
promotes innovation, greater
collaboration and allows them to let
their creative juices flow. These
attributes empower employees, help
them become more productive and fuel
their desire to deliver more than
expected.
Organizations across India are seeking
to find companies that provide
personalized co-working spaces,
promote growth and enhance their
work culture. We at Insights Success,
while seeking the best co-working
Our award-
winning
architects
will design your
uber-cool
dedicated
office.
“
“
15. • Private Offices: Dedicated glass-
enclosed studio offices for a team of 2
to 30 seaters.
• Virtual Offices: It provides flexible
plans with virtual office, mailbox
and registered address options.
• Conference rooms: Companies can
redefine their meetings by booking
plush meeting and conference
rooms. It comes with a flexible plan
to book per hour/day.
• Event Space: This allows
companies to conduct events at
GoodWorks’ upscale event spaces
that are provided by AI-driven
technology and hospitality services.
• Custom dedicated Offices:
GoodWorks designs beautiful
custom-made dedicated office
spaces ideal for teams of 30 to 600.
• Shared Managed Offices: The brand
manages all the end-to-end
operations for the organization that
allow companies to focus on
growing business. It is ideal for 30
to 1000 seats.
The brand pioneers in providing the
Workspace-as-a-Service model and
creates a custom layout, interiors,
branding, and lockable office
entrance. It delivers services like
housekeeping, security, internet,
power backup, and much more.
Exhibiting Distinction
GoodWorks’ mission is to lead good to
great by taking away all the
complexities of managing a workspace
for organizations. It is the brand’s sheer
commitment, perseverance and
consistency that helps GoodWorks
abide by its mission day-in and day-
out. It has helped the brand to not only
sustain but also prosper in the
competitive environment. Below are
some of the characteristics that help the
brand to sustain in the intense
competition:
• B2B Approach: GoodWorks is a
pioneer in the Enterprise Co-
Working segment. The brand has
shattered the norms in enterprise
design by saying NO to ‘Boring’.
Along with creating workspaces
that are highly functional,
GoodWorks brings in coolness and
vibrancy of a co-working space that
corporations desire.
• Design and Space: To stand out
from the crowd, GoodWorks has
developed its own unique style
which has been admired by its
17. A Zestful Personality
GoodWorks is a brainchild of Vishwas
Mudagal, Co-Founder and CEO, and
Sonia Sharma, Co-Founder and
Managing Director of GoodWorks,
who initially started a tech company
called GoodWorksLab. As an
experiment, the duo created
GoodWorks to engage with the thriving
startup-up ecosystem in India. Under
Mr. Mudagal’s exemplary leadership,
the experiment became successful and
turned GoodWorks into a major brand
that is profitable for everyone in the
ecosystem.
Mr. Mudagal is a celebrity
entrepreneur, best-selling author, social
media influencer, motivational speaker,
and an angel investor.
Being a serial entrepreneur and a CEO
with expertise in technology, he has an
eye for detail and innovation. He also
has a proven record of building brands
and products and a history of creating
sustainable companies. Mr. Mudagal
has over a decade of diverse
experience across entrepreneurial and
corporate spheres – in the Internet,
Mobile, Telecom, Education and Legal
domains. With his industry expertise,
he assists global companies build
strategies and enter new markets, build
innovative products, and set up and
scale software centers/R&D
centers/offshore development centers
globally.
Achieving Milestones
GoodWorks has seen tremendous
growth since its inception in 2017. The
pilot project that started with 50 seats
has today made up of 8000+ seats and
has been growing at an exceptional rate
of 2000%. The line-up of Fortune 500
clientele is yet another milestone for
the brand. It is proud to host corporate
biggies like BMW, Tesco, CSS, South
Indian Bank, etc. at its office spaces.
Some of the major awards received by
GoodWorks are:
• Vishwas Mudagal, CEO,
GoodWorks has been honored with
ET Now Business Leader of the
Year 2020
• ET Now awarded GoodWorks with
‘Best Coworking Space Design of
the Year’ award 2020
• GoodWorks awarded as the
‘Coworking start-up of the Year’ by
Realty+ Coworking Excellence
Awards
• The brand has been ranked No.1
Coworking space in Bangalore by
Coworker.com in 2018 and 2019.
Building Spaces of the Future
GoodWorks strives to develop
workspaces that bring the communities
together by providing space solutions
that are beautiful, scalable, agile, and
innovative. Hence, in the near future,
the brand aims to be at the gold
standard and achieve 20,000 seats in
the coming year. It intends to expand to
5 million sq. ft. across India in the next
3 years. It envisions a future to convert
large spaces and tech parks to
personalized workstations and keep on
bringing a diverse group of people
together and thrive in a vibrant
environment.
customers. Its designs bring a homely
feel to the interiors. The brand achieves
this with the choice of material,
lighting, colors, use of wood, artwork,
etc.
Every GoodWorks co-working space
revolves around a central courtyard or
an amphitheater or a large
collaborative area. These areas are
used by coworkers for coffee/food
breaks, meetings, events, recreation,
fitness, wellness, & so on.
GoodWorks ensures coworkers unwind
as much as they toil. Its amenities help
them to relax, focus on their work and
happily spend long hours.
• Technology: GoodWorks being a
tech-driven community, helps its
clients manage their booking,
networking, facility management,
etc. using the brand's own
GoodWorks HQ app.
• The GoodWorks Promise: As a
concept, the brand was built on the
premise of community and
ecosystem coming together to help
one another succeed. It provides
start-up occupants with mentorship
from industry experts who have
chalked out the blueprint to success.
GoodWorks also helps them with
initiatives and events such as: Angel
Investment Platform, Freelancer
Program, Meet Your Mentor Round
Table, AskVishwas Events, Start-up
Matchmaking Platform, and
GoodWorks Advantage Platform.
• Space: As the brand operates in
larger spaces, it enables
GoodWorks to provide best-in-class
amenities including amphitheater,
cafes, restaurants, creche, gym,
recreational areas, etc. Also, it
provides the most spacious
workspaces in the segment with 65-
75 sq. ft. per seat, which is highest
in the industry.
“GoodWorks
is the perfect
coworking
space with
access to all
the toservices
yourdevelop
business”
MOST FASCINATING
SPACES TO WATCH
C -WORKINGO
INDIA’S
18.
19.
20. There is an upward trend in the number of
organizations choosing co-working spaces or
shared office spaces. Some reasons for its
popularity include the fact that they offer flexibility in
terms of commitment, foster entrepreneurship, bring
together professionals, help expand network, nurture
creativity, and exchange of ideas. This opens doors to
possibilities and exposure to a vast network of
professionals, start-ups, and entrepreneurs.
Pannal is an umbrella entity offering a community of
resources under one roof for all business needs. It has
evolved as a unique business unit of shared services
including managed office spaces, business support (CXO
& BPO), legal services and IT/ITES support and
solutions, to incubate and help businesses grow.
In an interview with Insights Success, the team at
Pannal’s Chrysler Tech Centre, shares insightful
perspectives and opinions about the platform, its key
aspects, and how it strives towards a better tomorrow.
Below are the highlights of the interview:
What are the values, vision, and mission of your
company?
We provide high quality and affordable office spaces that
cater to businesses of all sizes, whether you are a
freelancer, startup, SME or a larger organisation. Our
vibrant spaces are uniquely designed to provide hassle
free workflows to our members and foster productivity in
the workspace.
Further, our incubation solutions have been developed by
an expert team and network of professionals who have
had many years of experience in different areas and
industries.
Some key values of Pannal include:
• A One-stop shop for multiple solutions
• Access to a range of specialised professional services
needed to develop and grow your business
• Strong leadership team to oversee the progress of
deliverables and other issues related to the overall
performance, productivity, commitment and behaviour
of resources
• Strong and growing mentor network, to allow startups
reduce their management gap in knowledge and
experience
• Cost reduction for our members through a shared
services model through lowered overheads and
operational costs
• Scalability and growth with relatively lower
incremental costs
Kindly describe about the types of facilities you offer
within your co-working space?
Our workspaces are vibrantly designed with various
space configurations, to suit all kinds of business needs,
enhance productivity and for our members to think
creatively.
Our office space solutions include individual and
multiple open workstations in a shared ecosystem,
private offices for teams of all sizes and large corporate
offices.
Some facilities include:
• Shared resources such as meeting rooms, conference
room, interview/ telephone booths, event spaces and
much more
• Integrated IT bundle with an onsite IT support team to
take care of IT needs and disruptions
• F&B facilities round the clock
APRIL 2020 www.insightssuccess.in18
21. • Breakout lounges, cafeteria and green spaces to take a
break, unwind and collaborate with your team
• Uninterrupted internet connectivity
• Effective power-backup system
• Housekeeping and Maintenance team
• Administrative Support
Our Co-working space in Dehradun is also in a safe and
green building, equipped with VRV air-conditioning,
sewage treatment plant, rain-water harvesting, garbage
disposal, LED lighting and much more. In order to
ensure safety of our members, our space is built on a
complete steel structure, is earthquake resistant, and with
fire-fighting systems.
How has your company sustained its market
competency? What are the characteristics that set it
apart?
Chrysler Tech Centre in a novel concept in a city like
Dehradun, where we offer a high quality workplace that
is affordable and uniquely designed to cater to business
needs of start-up’s and SMEs. Coupled with that, our
members value our incubation support and value-added
services such as hosting facilities, F&B facilities, IT
support, recruitment, payroll management and CXO
support, amongst other services. This ecosystem of
essential services under one roof allows Chrysler Tech
Centre to be a unique incubation centre that allow our
members to grow their business.
Share your views on the latest trends in the Co-
working space industry. How are you keeping up with
its dynamics?
Co-working trends are constantly evolving in India. The
trends are further not consistent as between Tier-I cities
vis-à-vis Tier-II or Tier-III cities, as the level of services,
expectations and market needs are different.
Accordingly, as we evolve, we are learning more about
subtle nuances in the Co-working and managed office
spaces industry with regard to different locations, target
audiences in those locations and market needs of
different types of consumers, and developing our
services accordingly.
Furthermore, an important trend we have noticed is that
our members value shared resources such as meeting
rooms, break-out lounges, cafeteria etc. in addition to
just their workstations, and want to use them as and
when needed without committing to long-term
arrangements for such spaces. However, when it comes
to workstations, they prefer lockable private offices, even
if it is for 3-4 people sized teams, as opposed to
traditional open co-working spaces in a shared
atmosphere. Accordingly, our spaces have been altered to
accommodate this need where we have private offices for
teams of all sizes, whether for 3-4 people teams or 50-
100 people teams.
Describe the experiences, achievements or lessons
learned, that have influenced the journey of the
company.
As we started interacting with our co-working members
in both Dehradun and Delhi, we realised that there is a
wide gap that exists between the demand for high quality
management services by growing companies and the
inadequate supply of such services at the right level of
cost, ownership, quality and timelines.
Accordingly, in addition to just providing workspace, we
have evolved as an incubation centre with the aim to
APRIL 2020www.insightssuccess.in 19
22. enhance the limited management bandwidth of
businesses, and increase the amount of time and
resources their management spend to focus on their core
business activities, while we take care of the day-to-day
operational tasks and back-office business processes
What are your future plans for the company? Where
do you see the company in the years to come?
While our aim is to expand to more locations in both
Tier-I and Tier-II cities, we want to grow organically and
in a phased manner, so that the intimacy our members
currently share with our senior management and mentors
is not diluted and we can continue offering high quality
services to each member as we scale.
We also intend to keep adding to our partner and mentor
network, so that the Pannal umbrella keeps growing. An
important vertical we plan to expand into is seed-stage
funding and alternative funding options for start-up’s and
SMEs
About the Leaders
The founding and senior management team at Pannal has
a professional background with decades of experience in
startups, SMEs and large MNC conglomerates.
Manav Mukul is the Co-founder, Head of Sales and
Operations at Pannal, with a focus on leveraging his
experience to provide the best customer experience to its
members. He holds a Bachelor Degree in International
Hotel Management from Les Roches, Switzerland in
addition to an MBA in leadership & finance from Glion
Institute of Higher Education, Switzerland.
He is also an alumni of the British School, New Delhi.
Before Co-founding Pannal, he worked with established
hotel conglomerates such as the Westin, Taj Palace and
Lemon Tree. His efforts are targeted to create the most
conducive environment at Pannal’s workspaces where
freelancers, startups and SMEs can incubate, scale and
grow. He adds value to the community at Pannal through
his global education and industry experience in
hospitality.
Mukul Agarwal is the Co-founder and Senior Partner
at Pannal. He is a business leader, disruptor, Founder,
angel investor, and a professional mentor. He brings in
more than 29 years of general management experience,
P&L management, business strategy & planning,
evolving new business models. He has global experience
across India, South-East Asia, Europe, and UAE.
He has led different portfolios including finance,
accounting, tax, HR, IT, Procurement, Infrastructure
Development, Corporate Simplification, BCP & Security,
CSR, Sustainability, adherence to carbon footprint, and
other cross functional business operations.
He has also managed legal & statutory compliances,
being part of management committees, arbitrations and
employee litigations. Combining his business and
management expertise, he has focused on providing
strategic and operational support to startups in their
evolution process as their virtual COO/ CEO/ CFO.
Shafali Agarwal is the Co-founder and Senior Partner
at Pannal. Her experience is a blend of over more than
25 years in direct industry as well as advisory. She brings
with her a rich experience in providing support to
different operational verticals including finance,
accounting, HR, Facility, Administration and Legal
compliances.
She has worked in various Indian and foreign
organizations across India and UAE. Her core expertise
is to be able to act as a business partner to the core
management team, bringing in-depth experience of
various industries and integrating different organizational
verticals.
Shantanu Mukul is the Co-founder and Legal at
Pannal. He holds law degrees from Durham University
in England and National Law University, Delhi. He is
also an alumni of the British School, New Delhi. He has
gained legal experience in corporate laws, M&A,
competition law, constitutional law, litigation, direct &
indirect taxes. An active member at Pannal, his efforts
are targeted to manage the legal framework, design and
develop the infrastructure, drive the marketing drive,
ensure client satisfaction and provide operational support
to the entire team.
www.insightssuccess.inAPRIL 202020
23.
24. Wor Den
Workspaces that Amplify Your Success
As the startup atmosphere in India blossoms, more
and more entrepreneurs are seeking spaces for their
diverse workforce. They desire an ambiance where
their workforce can be productive and enjoy a homely
experience. They are seeking spaces where the experience
which they and their employees receive, is much more
personalized.
Co-working spaces across India are designing and
developing spaces to not only match their clients’
expectations but also exceed them. Among them, WorkDen
has risen to offer one of the most fascinating co-working
spaces across the nation.
Established in the year 2016, WorkDen is a chain of
boutique co-working spaces. Started with a 3000 sq. ft. in
Domlur, they expanded to 32000 sq. ft. space across
Bangalore within 3 years.
The company was founded by three visionaries, Kunal
Nulkar, CEO, an architect and designer who graduated
from IID, Italy; Sanjay Samuel, CFO, an aeronautical
engineer by qualification with a degree in business; and
Ambika Nulkar, COO, who has a background in audio-
visual communications. United by the goal to disrupt the co-
working space market, these spearheads have been
developing remarkably cozy spaces for all of the clients.
State-of-the-Art Facilities
WorkDen continuously strives to develop spaces that
provide clients the necessary requirements they seek. From
ergonomic chairs to modular furniture, recreational zones,
private discussion rooms, phone booths to community events
and networking opportunities, they take care of all its clients’
necessities. They plan, design and manage spaces that best
suit their member's productivity and enables them to do their
best work.
At WorkDen, there are cases where the company not only
found an ideal office space for clients in their preferred
locations, but also designed, customized and managed it for
them. Sufficient phone booths, apps to manage bookings,
networking events, and rooms, all have become a
prerequisite that are ensured to be a part of
WorkDen’s curated work-spaces.
A Conducive Environment
The team at WorkDen comprises of people who
possess a background in architecture and design,
which helps them to understand and design
exceptional spaces. As one tends to spend a
considerable amount of time at their desk in the
office, WorkDen ensures to create spaces that are
warm, simple and most importantly,
comfortable. Once receiving the required inputs
from clients, the team immediately develops and
implements the concept.(L) Sanjay Samuel, CFO , (C)Ambika Nulkar, COO , (R)Kunal Nulkar, CEO
www.insightssuccess.inAPRIL 202022
25. Without much hassle the team is able to find and integrate
solutions after receiving feedback from their clients – since
service is the key at WorkDen. The company strives to ensure
that their clients are satisfied with their workspace and services
that are offered to them.
Ensuring a Hospitable Environment
When asked about how WorkDen is consistently outperforming
other industry leaders, Mr. Kunal said, "As co-founders we
have realized that this is a 24×7 job. One has to be as thorough
in operations and management as it would be in the hospitality
industry. And as operators we cannot take the service aspect of
this field lightly.
Our biggest achievements come in the form of client feedback.
We have had many companies that have grown with us and
chose to stick with us while scaling their team sizes. We feel
that we have also managed to build a community of members
who have benefited from one another and are building great
businesses.”
Crafting Spaces of the Future
WorkDen is proud to build creative and inspiring spaces.
Witnessing the startup companies accommodating their many
spaces, growing at an exponential pace, is one of the key
factors that keeps the WorkDen team driven. The company
desires to continue this journey with their existing and
prospective clients and move to larger spaces.
WorkDen aspires to create their own ecosystem and venture
into different cities across India and overseas to develop spaces
that will continue to foster a productive environment and a
vibrant community.
“WorkDen spaces are a
perfect blend of creative
yet professional environments
that are ideal for creators,
professionals and entrepreneurs
of all kinds to grow
their business”
www.insightssuccess.in APRIL 2020 23
MOST FASCINATING
SPACES TO WATCH
C -WORKINGO
INDIA’S
27. GNMVEnabling Office Spaces in a Dynamic Way
“
GNMV today offers various facilities and services for
startups like a co-working space, an incubation center,
and meeting rooms, etc., to provide a holistic growth
environment conducive to startups
“
www.insightssuccess.in APRIL 2020 25
32. www.insightssuccess.inAPRIL 202030
MAGNOLIA QUALITYMAGNOLIA QUALITY
DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MQDC)DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MQDC)
Workspaces where Innovation Thrives
n recent times, co-working sector in India has witnessed a
Iparadigm shift towards sustainable and green spaces.
Organizations across India now understand the positive
impact sustainable spaces have on employees’ overall
productivity, thereby acting as a catalyst for fueling innovation
and creativity, which in turn leads to brighter, better
tomorrows. Hence, spaces such as Whizdom Club by MQDC,
that work around its vision of ‘For All Well – Being’ ensure
treated fresh air, ergonomic steelcase furniture, retractable roof
to allow for ample natural light, vertical garden and no duct no
carpet interiors that reduce dust, are hygienic and offer more
than ample space between work stations are a preferred choice.
Launched in August 2019, Whizdom Club is MQDC’s
(Magnolia Quality Development Corporation) first project
in India, drawn by the country’s youthful demographic and
strong startup culture. The flagship club offers world-class
infrastructure along with wellness, mentorship and incubation
support. Whizdom Club is dedicated to creativity and
sustainability for socially interactive and dynamic young
people.
In an interview with Insights Success, Chulamas Jitpatima
(Amy), Director, MQDC India explains how Whizdom Club
is transforming India’s co-working segment with its avant-
garde facilities and services for students, young professionals,
enterprises, and startupreneurs.
• What are the values, vision, and mission of your
company?
Established in 2006, MQDC is a global property developer
headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand, with offices in Shanghai,
China and New Delhi, India.
Driven by its core philosophy ‘For All Well-Being’, MQDC is
known for its commitment to innovation, wellness and
sustainability. The idea is to play an integral role in enabling
people innovate better in an environment that is conducive to
creativity and in the process carve a better tomorrow. With a
strong emphasis on the overall well-being of our members as
well as a focused approach towards sustainability, we seek to
create a positive change in the environment and among people.
MQDC is a house of brands that has successfully developed
several international projects including quality residential
housing, condominium, and luxury mixed-use developments.
Recently, it has launched multiple projects in Bangkok, in line
with the company’s mission. With every project that we take
on, our constant endeavor is to work towards a goal of
healthier lifestyles and an all-embracing growth and
development agenda.
• Kindly describe about the types of facilities you offer
within your co-working space.
While we believe that it is the people that make the space, it is
important to supplement their passion with a range of services
and amenities aimed at catalyzing innovation and
collaboration. In line with that, Whizdom Club Delhi offers its
members a range of facilities and amenities which include:
• Whiz Café – The club has a special and vibrant space for
good ideas and even better coffee to brew, in the form of
Whiz Café which functions as an apt gateway between
members and non-members. From delicious multi cuisine
food to a host of refreshing beverages, there is something
for everyone at Whiz Café. The space and menu are
designed in a manner that makes the café a place to work as
well as unwind. Located at the heart of New Delhi, with the
Cinemas right by its side, the Café draws an eclectic mix of
people from students to working professionals. The Café
will soon be introducing a new delivery/ take away menu
with immunity boosting dishes keeping in mind the current
health situation
• Various Kinds of Workstation Options – Different
seating arrangements catering to various work styles and
requirements – Hot Desks, Dedicated Desks and Private
Cabins.
• VC and Meeting Rooms – The club also offers fully-
equipped meeting and VC rooms. The rooms are available
for daily bookings by non-members as well.
33. INTERVIEWWITHINSIGHTSSUCCESS
About the Leader
Backed by more than 15 years’ experience with
large Thai conglomerates and multinationals, Ms
Chulamas Jitpatima (Amy), Director, MQDC
India Real Estate Private Limited has imparted a
dynamic approach in launching the company in
India. Deploying the same dynamism in setting up
MQDC’s first initiative, Whizdom Club in India, Amy
is crafting the Club’s distinctive ethos and
character that can act as a catalyst in attracting
young professionals and entrepreneurs. She
believes Whizdom Club can play a pivotal role in
startupreneurs building new connections,
gathering inspiration and discovering missing
elements that can add momentum to their
business strategies in addressing global
competition.
Amy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business
Administration (International Business) from the
esteemed Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok,
Thailand. Amy’s primary interest is travel –
reflecting the globetrotter, who grew up in several
countries having-being born in a diplomatic
family.
Amy began her career as a Senior Analyst
at Accenture, and spent her years there
building strategies and improving
processes across various leading
companies, including Siam Cement Group and
PTT Public Company Limited.
Before joining MQDC in October 2017, Amy was
the Managing Director and Co-founder of Idea360
– a research and branding powerhouse she helped
establish in 2007. The agency assisted a myriad of
brands in comprehending consumers’ subliminal
beliefs.
In this enterprise, Amy worked closely with the
world-renowned experimental psychologist, Dr.
Howard Moskowitz, in launching Mind Genomics as
the leading consumer research tool in Thailand and
Southeast Asia. Idea360’s clients extended across
automotive, banking, construction & real estate,
FMCG, petrochemicals, hospitals, food &
beverages, electronics, retail and government
sector.
www.insightssuccess.in APRIL 2020 31
34. www.insightssuccess.inAPRIL 202032
• Whiz Around – Whizdom Club has a dedicated
brainstorming and ideation Lab featuring a digital flip
board and movable furniture to ensure that ideas flow freely
and inspiration strikes you when it counts.
• Whiz Kid – In-house recreational lounge, competent with
monkey bars and a pool table, and many more.
• Whiz Live – A Multipurpose Area facilitating added level
of interaction and conversations among its clients. It can
host events and workshops and is open for bookings
• Spacious Terrace – An open Terrace filled with greenery. It
is aesthetically pleasing and provides a peaceful and calm
area for short breaks between when one needs a little
breather amidst all the deadlines, meetings, and general
chaos, our open terrace will be your perfect solace work.
The terrace is also equipped to host specific
events/activities.
For more details, kindly log on to - https://whizdomindia.com/
• How has your company sustained its market
competency? What are the characteristics that set it apart?
MQDC has forayed into the Indian real estate market with
Whizdom Club which truly reflects the company’s vision and
brand ethos through its unique offerings. The global property
developer brings to India its legacy and global standards and
best practices.
Whizdom Club is not just a co-working space but also an
inspiration hub. The club have partnerships with VCs and
startup mentors to guide the entrepreneurs and young
professionals to excel in their respective field. Regular events
such as the ‘Start-Up Series’ is hosted at the club targeting
young entrepreneurs and students. Recently, we have been
conducting the start-up series webinars to keep in touch with
our community and ensure that learning never stops. Keeping
students, young professionals and entrepreneurs in mind, the
Club plans to make its space inspirational and conducive to
growth. Further, the space is design to help improve efficiency
and look out for the well-being of its members. Complete with
a world class treated fresh air facility, ergonomic Steelcase
furniture, retractable roof for ample natural light, vertical
garden and it’s not duct no carpet interiors that reduce dust,
Whizdom Club offers it all.
What adds to its merit is that the Club is strategically located in
the heart of South Delhi with the nearest metro station being a
stone’s throw away. With its strategic location, State-of -the-
Art Infrastructure and a wide range of amenities, Whizdom
Club aims to be the preferred choice of Enterprise Clients.
Furthermore, Whizdom Club provides avenues for both
professional and personal growth through all its offerings.
• Startup Incubation and mentorship – A mentorship
program ensuring professional growth and supporting
budding entrepreneurs right from the stage of ideation to
execution.
• Focus on work-life balance and wellbeing – Whizdom
Club is a lifestyle space, through a range of
recreational/hobby workshops and events offered on a
regular basis for both members and non-members. In-
keeping with our vision of For all well-being, we have
created a recreational space which we call Whiz Kid, for the
adults who would want some play time in between their
busy schedule,
• Gourmet Food experience in a vibrant collaborative
environment –Whiz Café is open to both members and non-
members. In addition to providing delicious food and
beverages, it is also a space for collaboration and exchange
of ideas.
• Describe the experiences, achievements or lessons
learned, that have influenced the journey of the company.
Since the opening of the Whizdom Club in August 2019, there
have been several notable milestones and achievements. We
won the "Co-Working Amenities of the Year" Award at Realty+
Co-Working Summit & Excellence Awards 2020 held in
Mumbai. We have also forged valuable strategic industry
partnerships. TiE Delhi is our ecosystem partners and several
of their events are hosted in our club. The Club has been
actively involved in their flagship events such as the TiE
Global Summit and the Start-up Expo. Additionally, we have
hosted several pitching sessions with our investment partner
Venture Catalysts.
Furthermore, several events at Whizdom Club have been in
collaboration with independent organizations and student
bodies such as MindHerBiz, Bennett University, Skill Circle
and Ventures. Whizdom Club was also the title sponsor of the
Asian Designer Week held in Gurgaon.
• What are the future plans of the company? Where do
you see the company in the years to come?
We intend to expand in the Indian market with projects
featuring new concepts based on demand and in-depth analysis
of the catchment area. We will soon announce the details of
our upcoming projects.
To know more about the company, visit:
https://whizdomindia.com/
35.
36. When Brad Neuberg;
credited for opening first
co-working space coined
the term, 'Co-working space' in 2005,
no one had thought it would change
the face of 'the office'. The emerging
co-working space dominance has
shaken the era of cubicles in office
culture. In the initial days, co-working
spaces were populated by tech
startups and were generally thought
of as a trend that would lose its
popularity. However; just the
opposite seems to be happening.
With over 35,000 flexible work-
spaces in the world at present, all
sizes and types of businesses prefer
the co-working space model over the
traditional office status quo.
Businesses today are becoming
alarmingly concerned to meet the
needs of the customers. Hence,
industrialists are changing office
environments that will ease the
working of the workforce meeting the
priority list in real-time.
Entrepreneurs are also looking for a
work culture that will incorporate
both creativity and competitiveness.
They are tech-savvy, and hence, they
want the changes in the environment
that will help them to work
effectively.
It is this popularity of co-working
spaces that persuaded aspiring
entrepreneurs to switch to
unconventional work culture and has
been even flourishing ever since.
However, what exactly are the
advantages co-working space offers?
Flexible and Affordable Office Space
The initial attraction of co-working
spaces for startup founders is the
greater affordability and flexible
pricing options. Renting a co-working
space is much cheaper than renting a
conventional office space. Also, while
choosing traditional office space,
expense does not stop with just the
rents, it also includes a whole lot of
extras such as internet services and
access to conference rooms. Renting
a co-working space takes care of such
expenses and also the banal
additions like office furniture,
THIS IS WHY
Startup
Business Flourishes
IN CO-WORKING SPACES
www.insightssuccess.inAPRIL 202034
38. computers, laptops, or any other necessities.
Another flexible feature of co-working space is that
entrepreneurs are not tied into a long contract. It means
unlike with a traditional office, co-working spaces can
usually be rented by the month, week, or even day. This
allows much greater flexibility to change quickly
according to the needs of a developing business.
A Space Initiating Growth
The startups mostly begin at home; the stereotype of an
entrepreneur creating a successful business from his or
her garage has now become folklore. However, as
business improves gradually, there comes a stage where
this kind of setup is no longer suitable.
Gradually startup owners started preferring coffee shops
or restaurants to meet with clients However, it does not
replicate the same scenario as discussing in a well
functional office. This is where co-working spaces come
to the rescue. Considering how first impressions are vital,
co-working spaces provide a much more professional
setting to discuss products or services with clients.
Embraced By Innovators
Startup founders who choose to move to co-working
spaces come from intangibles, and one of the most
important of these is the opportunity to network with
other like-minded and driven individuals, making it the
greatest advantage of co-working space. Some of the co-
working spaces even take breaks during working days and
use the time to meet fellow entrepreneurs and discuss
various innovative ideas, plausible solutions, and what
not.
A Constant Source of Motivation
We already established how co-working spaces help in
developing meaningful and insightful network. This
indirectly acts as a source of motivation and this is
another intangible advantage of opting to work at a co-
working space. Startup founders suffer from a lack of
routine and find it difficult to shut out the multitude of
distractions that come from working at home and hence,
in such situations, a certain amount of structure can be
invaluable.
Co-working environment can offer the advantages of
having a daily routine similar to that of working in an
office while also offering much of the flexibility of
working from home. Also, the fact of being surrounded
by other successful or motivated and driven people every
day cannot be overlooked either. This way a Co-working
space offers the best of both worlds.
Politics Free Zone
Co-working space is an accumulator of like-minded
people, yes. But, not everyone choosing to work in a co-
working space belongs to the same industry. It might or
not might include professionals working for different
organizations on a variety of projects. Hence, there are
very fewer chances of competition or interpersonal
rivalry.
Also, give that co-working spaces are cultivated by
growth-driven people everyone is working to be the best
in their terms. It also means that at co-working spaces,
the traditional office politics where people are constantly
trying to outdo their colleagues or impress the boss is not
developed. Rather, such an environment allows workers
to be themselves than developing an 'office persona'.
Seamless Access to Talent Pool
Co-working spaces do not just attract aspiring
entrepreneurs it also attracts freelancers. And thus, at one
point, when entrepreneurs will need to scale up the
business and hire new talents, they can look for
freelancers who are inhibited at the Co-working space.
This process of hiring can also save time, and as startup
founders already have some informal experience of
working with that person, it decides to hire less risky.
Not Far Behind
While individuals and small businesses preferred to work
in flexible, shared spaces where collaboration,
productivity and networking are standard fare, the
established companies are using Co-working spaces for
their remote teams and as satellite offices. They no
longer do prefer to shell out an exorbitant amount of
money to build or lease regional offices. These
companies are now finding ways to incorporate the
flexible workspace culture into the conventional office
environments. Likely, cubicle-free environments will no
longer be a far-fetched dream but a soon turning reality.
www.insightssuccess.inAPRIL 202036
41. Business fairs open doors for
people to build strong
rela onships. Presently,
coworking spaces in Mumbai give the
exact same opportunity. Just that this
can happen 24*7 It is typical for a
start-up to frequently discover a
content creator in the same working
space. They can likewise team up
together on a venture. Freelancers
regularly get work from businesses in
their shared office space. This happens
par cularly a er one prescribes the
business to others. This is the manner
in which the work culture has
changed. Individuals are presently
working in a well-networked
community. They share assets and
there are open doors for the
development of all. These are the
reasons that make coworking the
ul mate future reality.
Hosted Events:
Imagine you have bagged a big deal or
launched a brand new product. At that
point, you can host a small party in the
bistro or the lounge room and
welcome different individuals from
your mutual office. Acquaint yourself
with them and discover what they do.
Discussion about business pa erns,
experiences or whatever else. The
least that could happen is you make
new buddies.
Free Promo ons:
Frequently, coworking in Mumbai will
give you a chance to showcase your
work. If you are an ar st, pin up a
por on of your work on the no ce
board. If you are in FnB (Food and
Beverage), put your products out in
the pantry and see how people
respond to it or print a few
le erheads, sta onery, mugs. Put
them around your work area
consistently for individuals to take
note. This will help you gain visibility
and that may come as an advantage
later on.
Casual Conversa on:
The idea of discussions by the water
cooler is rarely old. On the off chance
that you are a member of coworking
spaces in Mumbai, you will
undoubtedly meet new individuals all
over. In the cafeteria, the li , the
entryway, the lobby and so forth. This
is the place where your casual
conversa ons start. How you take it
forward and transform it into your
advantage is totally upto you.
Trade of Services:
Coworking spaces in Mumbai will
likewise allow you to make "b2b"
associa ons. It is very common for
businesses working under the same
roof to collaborate. Frequently
customers prescribe outside the space,
giving you chances to extend your
business. In a startup work culture,
everybody is searching for effec ve
and "jugaadu" methods for taking care
of their business. Working with
similarly invested individuals in a
similar office is the substance of
collabora ng. It is ideal for the
development and extension of new
opportuni es.
Flexible Working:
People working in shared spaces can
work at any hour of the day and are
not limited to single desk areas like
one would generally expect from a
customary office. The flexible work
hours, the opportunity to talk and
blend with others at work, makes
coworking even more desirable.
Mentorship:
When you've just started your
business, having somebody to guide
you and resolve your doubts is a gi .
In a coworking space, you find a good
mix of individuals coming from
different industries. This lets you gain
from the experiences of different
originators and specialists.
A pool of Thoughts:
Coworking spaces are beyond just a
workspace! They are amazingly
imagina ve spaces where numerous
new thoughts are sustained, paving
the way for the advancement of new
pursuits.
Work and Joy:
Coworking today is a perfect blend of
work and joy, fun and collabora on,
crea ng a culture that is alluring for all
the dynamic businesses. Hos ng
events, workshops, par es, and
seminars at a coworking space is a
common scenario.
State-of-the-Art Infrastructure:
A workspace that looks like it has
come straight out of your dreams,
having bespoke interiors that soothe
your soul. One can focus on significant
things here, as opposed to stressing
over the terrible web!
Progressively the business land space
is tending towards complete service,
adaptable and mul -u litarian spaces.
Coworking, is simply a step 1, of a lot
bigger development, shaking the real
estate industry.
www.insightssuccess.in APRIL 2020 39
CXO Standpoint