Sector/company profile
Flexible office spaces
Name of President or Managing Director
Misha Konoplev, General Manager Central & Eastern Europe and Russia, Headshot
President's or Managing Director's profile
Mikhail Konoplev is the General Manager for WeWork Central & Eastern Europe, which provides space, community, and services to over 268,000 members in cities worldwide.
Previously, Mikhail was doing different international roles at Houzz scaling its international operations, and prior to that, he served as a Managing Director for Russia, CIS and Baltic States at Airbnb.
Mikhail earned his MA in Management from Moscow Institute of Economics, Statistics and Informatics.
Countries in which the company operates
111 cities in 29 countries all over the world (regional locations: Warsaw, Prague, Moscow)
Description of the entry into the Polish market
WeWork has started on Polish market in December 2018 by launching its first office on Krucza street. So far the company has 4 operating locations:
Hotel Europejski on Krakowskie Przedmieście 13 street, Warsaw
CEDET on Krucza 50, Warsaw
Browary Warszawskie on Grzybowska 62, Warsaw
Mennica Tower on Pereca 21, Warsaw
All locations are of great interest to business members and have a high level of space occupancy.
The origins of the company and how it started out
Adam Neumann and Miguel McKelvey founded WeWork in 2010 in New York City in aim to create well designed, shared office spaces, as well as build community of members and create innovative culture of work, which makes doing your job extremely rewarding and inspiring. In January 2019, the firm announced rebranding to The We Company. Today, WeWork employs more than 11,000 people and operates in 528 locations in 111 cities in 29 countries all around the world. In October 2019 Softbank Group invested in WeWork 9,5 billion USD and will support company with its capital and operational experience.
How much the company has invested in entering the Polish market
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What differentiates the company's products/services from their competitors?
The mission of WeWork is not only to provide flexible spaces and office services to large and medium-sized companies as well as micro-entrepreneurs. WeWork give its members a unique opportunity to participate in a global community that supports networking and exchange of experiences. The offer also includes virtual services in a mobile application for all users. All members are united by the goal of creating effective and inspiring working environments and building an atmosphere that inspires and motivates each other. In addition to high-quality office services, the members also have numerous benefits at their disposal, such as freshly roasted coffee, relaxation zones with places to relax as well as billiard and arcade games or wellness activities. All in order to create a place where people work to make a life, not just a living.
Notable achievements to date
Successful entering Polish market with 4 locations so far
Company debut in Prague, Czech Republic and Moscow, Russia
Signing lease contract with additional 3 more locations (HUB, Browary Warszawskie, Central Point)
Plans for the future / expansion plans and information on how they have been pursued so far
The company just opened flagship location in the capital of Poland in the prestigious office building Mennica Legacy Tower with 2’500 desks. Recently WeWork has also signed a lease agreement for space in the Warsaw Hub - the most technologically advanced building in Poland as well as another stage of Browary Warszawskie mix-use complex. Both locations will be opened in 2020.
