Choosing the ideal office space for a startup

A business that began at your home, outhouse or the premises can soon grow into something bigger. As your company expands, you’re sure to need more space. This additional space usually comes in the form of an office, often the first headquarters of the company.

The first office of any startup is its piece of pride. It is a manifestation of the company’s identity and the place where clients will feel encouraged to bring in new business. It is a haven for the company’s employees, and the hub where innovation will thrive, and culture will develop.

Every year, around 14,600 startups are registered in India. That’s equivalent to 40 every day! And in this crowd, it is important to make your presence felt. And just for that, the newest entrant in the world of office spaces is a flexible workspace. These spaces are collaborative, productive, fully equipped, and don’t even drain your pockets.

When it comes to a new office, startup businesses tend to have specific requirements. Be it a space to brainstorm with the team or host potential clients, find a corner to work alone or attend virtual conferences with no disturbances, flexible spaces help you transform the space as you need.
But this is only the first step. There are many other things to consider when choosing the perfect place for your first office. Here are the key things to help you during your search.

While you may have locked on to the city in which your company’s headquarters will be, it is also important to consider the locality. Sometimes, certain areas in the city may be better suited to different types of businesses.

Other factors that you need to take into account include:

• Access to amenities, public transportation, and parking
• Size of the office space and the cost of rent
• Local business climate
• Availability of talent in the area

While your office may be the haven for collaboration in terms of design, it may lead to dissatisfaction if your employees have to spend long, tedious hours commuting to it. What’s more, a bad location may also create a bad impression in front of potential clientele and partners. So, when you’re choosing your HQ, think long-term – is this location going to help us thrive as a business in the coming years?

To get started, here’s a quick search of office spaces in your city

Your office space needs to be as dynamic as your company. With startup’s, growth can happen in a very short space of time, so it’s important to be prepared for it. Keep the design of your office space as flexible as possible but don’t forget to think long-term. Make sure you plan ahead, as more employees will lead to more space requirement.

A coworking office space works best for these situations. With them, you get the benefit of being able to up-size or down-size your space as and when you need to.

A company needs collaboration and teamwork to grow. To foster this culture, you need spaces within your office that encourage employees to innovate, brainstorm and discuss ideas with one another.

Agile setups work best to foster such an environment. An agile office design can incorporate private workspaces to focus, meeting rooms to collaborate, and more laidback “breakout” areas, like social zones and cafeterias, to talk through projects. With hybrid working becoming the new norm, designated areas for socializing and optimizing different types of work helps.

In addition, your office is also a physical impression of what your brand represents. As an evolving business, you want to create an impression on partners and potential clients. So, when you’re designing your space, ensure you use your company logo and colors that are a part of your branding.

Remember: the best startup office design is one that keeps your team happy and motivated at work.

When it comes to office equipment for a startup, there are some that one cannot do without. Take Wi-Fi and computer systems for example. Can you even imagine trying to function without these bare basics?

So, when you finalise your office space, be sure to check whether internet connection is included or not. The same goes for a phone line, scanners, printers and office furniture like desks, chairs, and whiteboards.

If you’re renting a leased office, chances are high that you will have to arrange for all equipment and fill up the space yourself. In co-working spaces, many of these are provided in advance itself and are part of your monthly bills. So, depending on the type of office you lease, you’ll need to factor in the cost of equipment you need for your workplace operations to run smoothly.

Here’s a basic list of what your office will need, depending on your startup stage.

When it comes to office space, evolving businesses need those that are flexible, cost-effective, and collaborative. While finding one that matches each and every criterion is difficult, one needs to prioritize as to which requirement is non-negotiable. So, when you plan your new office, do keep in mind the type of workspace, location, size, office space design, office décor, and layout that’ll work best for you.

Want to find your ideal office space? Consult a startup office advisor today!