Knotel is a technology company.
Knotel has raised $485.0M across 3 funding rounds.
Knotel has raised $485.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Knotel is a PropTech company providing customized, flexible workspace solutions for established companies and growing startups, eliminating the burdens of traditional long-term leases. It operates as the world's leading flexible workspace platform, matching, tailoring, and managing spaces across major cities like New York, San Francisco, London, and Berlin, with over 5 million square feet in 200+ locations on four continents[1][2]. Knotel serves midsize enterprises and scaling businesses by handling site selection, design, build-out, and management through an in-house team of architects, interior designers, and workplace strategists, allowing clients to focus on core operations[2][3]. Its growth includes managing 800+ employees worldwide from its New York HQ, demonstrating strong momentum in the flexible office market[4].
Knotel was co-founded in 2015 or 2016 by Amol Sarva and Edward Shenderovich, both serial entrepreneurs with deep startup experience[2][3][4]. Sarva, a veteran who co-founded Virgin Mobile USA, and Shenderovich identified the gap after managing their own offices: companies needed agility in headquarters real estate without lease headaches[3]. The idea emerged from recognizing that while businesses evolve quickly, traditional offices do not, leading them to create "agile headquarters" via profit-sharing partnerships with landlords rather than fixed leases[1][3]. Early traction came from launching 15 New York locations, targeting real companies over freelancers, and expanding globally while protecting clients from real estate complexities like custom builds or compliance[3].
Knotel rides the flexible workspace trend accelerated by remote/hybrid work shifts post-pandemic, capitalizing on demand for agile offices amid rising PropTech adoption[1][2][4]. Timing aligns with market forces like high commercial real estate costs, startup scaling needs, and economic uncertainty, where traditional leases hinder growth—Knotel solves this by transforming rigid spaces into adaptable ones[1][3]. It influences the ecosystem by pioneering "agile HQ" for midsize firms, bridging coworking gaps for enterprises, and expanding PropTech tools that integrate design, tech, and operations across continents[2][3][4].
Knotel is poised for continued expansion in hybrid work and PropTech, potentially deepening tech integrations like AI-driven space matching or global site growth beyond current 200+ locations. Trends like sustainability mandates and economic volatility will favor its no-lease model, evolving its influence toward dominant flexible HQ provider for tech/scaling firms. As the pioneer cracking "leases-for-real-companies," Knotel remains essential for businesses prioritizing agility over real estate burdens[1][3].
Knotel has raised $485.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Knotel's investors include Hanaco Ventures, H.I.G. Capital, Norwest Venture Partners, SoftBank Capital, Spark Capital.
Knotel has raised $485.0M across 3 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $400.0M Series C in August 2019.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 1, 2019 | $400.0M Series C | Hanaco Ventures, H.I.G. Capital, Norwest Venture Partners, SoftBank Capital, Spark Capital | |
| Oct 1, 2018 | $60.0M Series B | Hanaco Ventures, H.I.G. Capital, Norwest Venture Partners, SoftBank Capital, Spark Capital | |
| Feb 1, 2017 | $25.0M Series A |